Health used to be defined in a negative way as the absence of disease. But nowadays the definition has been broadened to include more positive aspects such as preventing illness and promoting "wellness". Mental and social aspects of wellbeing are regarded as being just as important as the merely physical aspects. Now there are clinics where people who do not feel sick can go to have a regular check-up. They are screened for early signs of disease and also encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It would do us all good to have a spiritual check-up from time to time, or at least take personal stock. It has to be acknowledged that self-examination in this regard is fraught with problems – we are such masters at self-deception and denial. However, whenever the Word of God is brought to our minds in convicting power the Spirit of God can reveal to us where we are weak and falling short. We will need honesty and humility to face this examination and make the necessary adjustments for our own spiritual good.
There are many dear saints today who are physically weak but spiritually strong. Advancing years have brought increasing health problems, but in the mercy of God these believers have continued to grow in likeness to Christ, and mature in the ways of God. Such was Gaius. The Apostle John's prayerful wish for his friend was that his physical health might match his spiritual condition (3 Jn v.2), implying that he had been unwell but remained strong in the Lord.
What follows is a spiritual checklist – Seven Features of Spiritually Healthy Believers. See how you do.
1. Good food
How is your diet? It needs to be regular and balanced to promote growth and strength. The daily reading of the Word of God is vital for our spiritual health at every stage of our development. This applies to busy housewives as much as to public preachers; it applies to children and teenagers as much as to older saints. In the Scriptures we find milk for those young in the faith, but also meat for those who are more mature. Much will depend upon our appetite, and it has been well remarked that those whose Bibles are falling apart (from constant use) usually have lives that are not falling apart.
On the physical level, one cannot exist by ingesting a single food group alone. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are all necessary, along with essential vitamins and minerals as well. Fortunately, in the spiritual realm there is infinite variety in the Word of God. Every human need is addressed in the Scriptures. Assembly elders who care for the flock will ensure that the spiritual diet is mixed and the sheep are nourished from the whole counsel of God (Acts 20.27). To use common parlance, the Bible teaching should include "doctrinal truth, practical truth, church truth, prophetic truth, devotional truth, and correctional truth". Majoring on one line of teaching can cause an unhealthy imbalance.
It is disconcerting to observe how intolerant some people can be of a good solid meal, spiritually speaking. They prefer light snacks: after five-minute devotions or ten-minute epilogues, they have had enough; but after two-hour videos or three-hour sports events, they want more.
We are what we eat: feast upon the Word of God, read your Bible every day, and enjoy a healthy balanced diet.
2. Clean water
Perhaps in the western world a ready supply of clean water is something we take for granted. In many developing countries it still represents a scarce resource that can be hard to find. As we all know, life is unsustainable without water.
An elderly Christian lady received a home visit one day. The visitor found her reading one of the more difficult books of Scripture. The question was asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The answer came, "No, not all of it, but clean water never did the pipes any harm!"
In fact, apart from doing no harm, clean water does a lot of good – it helps to keep the pipes themselves clean. This reminds us of another function of the Scriptures. This world is full of corruption and evil, and it is very easy to be contaminated in the daily round of life. It can only take a moment, and we see or hear something we wish we hadn't. The psalmist has helpful words for us: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word". He goes on to state his personal resolve: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Ps 119.9,11). The second verse suggests that prevention is better than cure.
The washing of the mind and heart through reading the Word of God and applying it to our lives is a vital daily requirement. We recall that the priests in the Tabernacle and Temple needed the water of the laver; the Israelites in the wilderness needed the water containing the ashes of the red heifer to deal with uncleanness contracted along the way (Num 19). Even today Christ sanctifies His church "with the washing of water by the word" (Eph 5.26).
3. Fresh air
The freshest air is breathed in the sanctuary of God's presence. Daily communion alone with Him in prayer will help you survive the toxic smog of earth. Leave the world behind, climb the mountain, and breathe the oxygen of heaven. The psalmist could say, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth" (Ps 121.1-2).
If prayer is the Christian's native air, then praying and praising should be as natural as breathing. It is good to start the day alone with God but after that most of us rarely spend the day by ourselves. In the hustle and bustle of routine activity we can still continue to pray. Prayer is not only a definite activity but also a prevailing attitude of conscious need and constant dependence upon God. Pray in the kitchen, pray in the classroom, pray in the office, and pray in the factory. Walk with God and talk with God throughout the day. Exclude Him from nothing; include Him in everything.
Thank Him for your health, your food, your clothing, your home, your family, your friends, and your job. Praise Him for the transient pleasures of the day: the warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze, the scented flower, the fleeting smile. Above all worship Him for His greatness and goodness; let your heart overflow in gratitude for His blessed Son. Do not let a day go by without remembering Calvary and the price the Saviour paid for you upon the cross.
4. Regular exercise
Muscles that are not used begin to atrophy until they are virtually useless. The underlying principle that applies is this: if you do not use it you, you can lose it. When any muscle is regularly exercised, however, it develops and grows stronger.
There is great need for all of us to be spiritually exercised in serving God in our local assembly and also in the wider sphere. There are important aspects of public service to be considered such as leading in praise and prayer, preaching the gospel, and teaching the Word of God. There are also a myriad other ways of serving one another and witnessing to the unsaved all around us. Sitting on the sidelines and just spectating (or criticising others, as can be the case) is a dangerous indulgence none of us can afford. There are many practical and seemingly mundane things that need doing and when these are performed with the right attitude as service to the Lord, they become an act of worship. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Col 3.23-24).
Our gospel witness to the world around us requires the best of our energies as well. The fields are white, the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few (Mt 9.37). Walking down your street with a bundle of tracts could be one of the healthiest forms of exercise you ever take. It may not look exciting, but it has the potential to change your neighbourhood for ever, and bring eternal blessing to many lost souls.
To be continued.
