Every
August, the Minnesota Vikings show up in Mankato, MN for training camp. The
purpose of this event is to prepare the players for the regular season. The
coaches want the players to be ready to handle whatever their opponents throw
at them.
When
a young person enters the military, they are sent to boot camp. The purpose of
this is to prepare these young people to serve in our military. The goal of the
drill instructors is to prepare the troops for whatever the enemy might throw
at them.
When
a young person is learning to drive, they attend drivers’ training. The purpose
of these classes it to prepare the young person for the responsibility of
driving. The goal of the instructor is to prepare these new drivers for
whatever they may encounter on the roads.
We all
know the value of training. Most of us have gone into situations less prepared
that we should have been. In the midst of the situation, we usually wish we had
prepared better to face the challenge.
What
is true in life, in general, is doubly true for our spiritual lives. Just like
the Vikings going to training camp, and soldiers going to boot camp, and young
drivers going to drivers’ training, so we should be enrolled in soul training.
We should be preparing our spirits to face whatever challenges our enemy,
Satan, is going to throw at us. It is important to prepare for the physical
challenges of life. It is even more important to prepare for the spiritual
challenges of life. Paul challenged Timothy to be actively involved in soul
training. For physical training is of
some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both
the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)
One
of the ways that we do soul training is to gather the right equipment. Just as
football players and soldiers need proper equipment, so we need proper
spiritual equipment. Paul calls this equipment the armor of God. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his
mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand
against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
(Ephesians 6:10-12)
The
goal of soul training is to prepare us to face both the positive and negative
side of life. At Vikings training camp, the players learn how to execute offensive
plays and defensive plays. So it is with us spiritually. We must learn how to
live for Christ and how to defend ourselves against Satan’s attacks.
The
positive side of this equation is the easier and more enjoyable side of
training. We learn how to study God’s word and apply it. We learn how to love
one another. We learn how to walk with Christ. We often spend much time
refining our offensive plays. On the other hand, we tend to overlook the more
difficult side of training. We will not always be on the offensive. In fact, we
will spend much more time on the defensive. There are three major areas of soul
training that we need to work on. We need to work on facing temptations, trials
and tragedies.
Temptations
are those obstacles Satan throws in our way to knock us off track. These are
usually negative things that lead us away from Christ and a Christ-like life.
Some temptations are blatant and many are subtle. We have to be on our guard
and ready to counteract these temptations. No
temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he
will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians
10:13)
Trials
are the hardships that we face in life. Some of these may be direct attacks
from Satan, or they may just be part of living in a fallen would. Trials can discouragement
us and immobilize us, if we are not prepared for them. God often uses trials to
strengthen us and to refine our faith. Consider
it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you
know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
(James 1:2-4)
Tragedies
are the devastating events in life; a death or a significant loss of some kind.
These are the hardest obstacles for us to overcome. They often take us by
surprise. We are rarely prepared for them when they happen. It is during tragedies
that our soul training pays off. It is during these times we discover the depth
of Christ’s love, kindness, compassion and care. It is during these times that
we need to dig deep and hold onto God’s promises. The greatest promise that God
has given us is summarized in His words to Joshua before he led the people of Israel
into the Promised land. “Have I not
commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua
1:9) Jesus reaffirmed this promise when He commissioned his disciples to take
the Gospel into the world. Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew
28:19-20)
We
all need soul training, so that we will be prepared to face all of the
challenges of life. Whatever life throws at us, we can rest in the promise that
we do not face those challenges alone. Jesus will always be with us, leading
the way. "I have told you these
things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
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