Guard your heart

***NOTE*** Parents please review the following article prior to younger children reading it. This content is for mature discussion, although consideration was made in writing to make it as discrete as possible.***

Warriors:

As martial artists we train to keep our hands up to protect our face and how to block punches and kicks. We spend hours perfecting our kicks, stances and forms but do we practice guarding our hearts?

As you reach the intermediate level you will find yourself grappling with members of the opposite sex or possibly training with someone individually. As you learn to guard and protect yourself physically, are you also working to guard yourself mentally? The bible tells us: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23)

I would like to humbly submit to you several things to do if you are training with someone of the opposite sex:

In all of your training, commit every training session to God. His Word tells us that our bodies are our temples until him. I Cor 6: 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. Have you considered praying with your training partner before you begin your workout session?


If you can train with partners of the same sex or in groups of three or more. However, if you are training with someone of the opposite sex never put yourself in the position of temptation. Always include someone else in your training session. When I work out with my training partner, my son or daughter always trains with us. If they are not available, my other children are always in the same room or in the least in the next room with the door always open. If you are training with someone frequently alone you are putting yourself in the position of temptation. You may think, “Oh, I would never do anything like that!”, but why take the risk? We all sin and fall short of the Glory of God. We are born with a sin nature and our flesh is always weak, never take the risk. Mark 7:21-22 from within, out of our hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, and folly.

When you are working out, it is wonderful to have the affirmation of your training partner encouraging you. One of the reasons people work out together is for the extra push your training partner can give you. If you are married do not rely on this affirmation. You must rely on the affirmation of your spouse! Talk with your spouse and let them know you need their encouragement and support. If your spouse is the one working out with a partner, make sure you are giving them the verbal affirmation they need. Encourage them and tell them you are proud of them constantly and consistently. 1 Thess 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.


Keep your conversations to working out, your faith and the love you have for your spouse. If you find yourself confiding to your training partner your frustrations about your marriage, job or life you are opening a door that will lead to trouble. Those conversations are intimate conversations that should be with your spouse, Pastor or best friend (of the same sex) not your training partner. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.

Never let others get the wrong impression of you and your training partner. If anyone ever questions your relationship be prepared to explain the circumstances with a clear conscience. If you can’t, you have some soul searching to do now. Don’t wait until you have already started down a path that could hurt you and many others around you. Guard your heart now. 1 Tim 1:19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

If you are working with one of our instructors please be careful of not putting them in an uncomfortable situation. Make sure your expectations of the workout/training session are clear up front. 2 Peter 3:14 … make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you even think you are slipping, find someone to confide in and assist in holding you accountable. One of the great things about Warriors’ leaders is that we are very real and understand life’s challenges. Eph. 6:12 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.

Remember it is important to balance our workouts spiritually, physically and mentally. Make sure you are giving yourself a workout in each of these areas.

These tips are applicable in every area of our lives. I hope that you are guarding your heart in all areas of life. Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

In Christ,

Lisa Bethay


NOTE: My thoughts and idea for this article came from a sermon preached by Dr. David Fincher of Campus Church of Christ. If you would like to hear more please visit:

http://www.campuschurch.org/forum-guard-your-heart