Victorious Living - 3 John V-2 Series

The key factors behind a healthy spiritual life

1. Relationship with God: The cornerstone of spiritual well-being in the Biblical context is an intimate, personal relationship with God. This relationship is cultivated through prayer, worship, and studying the Scriptures. In Jeremiah 29:13, God says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." This seeking is a continuous process of drawing nearer to God, understanding His nature and His love for us.

2. Living According to God's Word: Biblical spiritual well-being also involves living in accordance with God's commands as outlined in the Bible. This includes loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). It also involves practicing virtues such as kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness (Colossians 3:12).

3. Love: Love, both for God and for others, is a fundamental aspect of Christian spiritual well-being. Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).

4. Faith and Trust in God: Faith and trust in God are also integral to spiritual well-being. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Our faith in God's promises and our trust in His providence, even in challenging times, contribute to our spiritual wellness.

5. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our spiritual well-being. As Jesus promised in John 14:26, the Holy Spirit teaches us all things and reminds us of everything He said to us. Through the Holy Spirit, we are guided, comforted, and empowered in our spiritual journey.

6. Service: Serving others selflessly, following the example of Jesus, is another crucial aspect of Christian spiritual well-being. It creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

7. Community and Fellowship: Another essential aspect of Biblical spiritual well-being is fellowship with other believers. The early church in Acts 2:42 was devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Belonging to a community of faith provides support, accountability, and opportunities for service.

8. Forgiveness: Both receiving forgiveness from God and extending forgiveness to others are integral to Christian spiritual well-being. Forgiveness frees us from guilt and resentment, promoting inner peace.

What Is a Spiritual Discipline?

Spiritual disciplines, explains Professor Don Whitney, “are habits of devotion, habits of experiential Christianity that have been practiced by God’s people since biblical times.”

As Christians, then, the goal of spiritual discipline is to bring us into a closer relationship with God. Again, it’s not about legalistically following a set of rules. Rather, we discipline ourselves — train ourselves — for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). Doing so helps us become the people God created us to be — and helps us stay emotionally and mentally balanced.

Richard J. Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline, breaks down spiritual disciplines into three categories: inward discipline, outward discipline, and corporate discipline. We’ll use that framework here to look at each of these areas and how they relate to mental health.

1. The Connection between Inward Spiritual Disciplines and Victorious Living

Inward spiritual disciplines offer many benefits to your mental health. Some common inward spiritual disciplines include:

• Reading the Bible.

• Studying the Bible.

• Memorizing verses or passages of Scripture.

• Meditating on sections of the Bible or other spiritual writings.

• Journaling.

• Praying.

• Fasting.

Reading, Studying, and Memorizing

Reading, studying, and memorizing the Bible are known to do the following.

• Reduce stress.

• Help alleviate depression.

• Sharpen focus and concentration.

• Help develop greater empathy.

• Increase self-discipline.

• Help prevent memory loss.

• Give goals to work toward.

• Build knowledge and deepen wisdom.

Journaling and Meditation

Journaling and meditation (also called mindfulness) have been proven to:

• Improve focus and concentration.

• Reduce stress.

• Manage anxiety and depression.

• Control pain.

• Help process past traumas.

• Help fight addictions.

Fasting

Fasting has many physical benefits too. Among other things, fasting can:

• Sharpen thinking.

• Improve memory.

• Lower high blood pressure.

• Brighten overall mood.

2. The Connection between Outward Spiritual Disciplines and Victorious Living

Outward spiritual disciplines help you keep your mind and emotions stable and balanced. They also remind you that God’s purpose for your life extends beyond you. Outward spiritual disciplines include:

• Giving money or time.

• Being generous.

• Serving others.

• Being thankful and expressing gratitude.

• Spending time in solitude (time spent in silence or purposeful times of resting).

• Choosing simplicity (reducing unnecessary complications and overcommitments).

Generosity

Research suggests that the activities of giving, being generous, and serving others can support positive mental health, because they:

• Improve mood.

• Increase enjoyment in life.