Focus

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7 KJV)

So many like today's ODB challenge focus on the "physical exercise" in verse eight, but that seems to me as a small part of the issue. Some modern translations (NASB and ESV I've seen) us a semicolon at the end of this verse and into verse eight that remind us English readers that the thoughts ar connected. I just cannot see the "put off" principle in verse seven becoming separated from the "put on" of the strength-building labor and exercise in verse eight. Turning toward exercising a growing, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled godliness cannot be done without turning away from the profane (irreverent, polluted, worldly) ways of thinking. 

After the recounting to the "Hall of Faith" walks of those who had completed their earthly journey in chapter 11, the writer of Hebrews began chapter 12:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

It's not only the sinful things that must be laid aside, but every weight that keeps us from giving maximum effort. The "okay" and the "good" may be keeping us from reaching the "best" just as effectively as the "bad."

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Lord,
     Help me to turn my eyes from all this world tries to set as distractions before my eyes, and turn my ears from all the contradictory "opinions"  so that they might not drown out Your voice and trip me up on my race. Help  me to keep my focus stayed on the finish line of being like You and finishing the race strong. Help me not to hold on to the things of this world but strain to grasp more of You in all that I do. I know that I cannot do this in my own strength, so as I yield to Your strength and Your guidance to preform Your work in and through me. 

Yours to do as You will,
Andy Jentes