2 minuter read.
Daily Reading: Ezekiel 7:1-9:11 ESV, Hebrews 5:1-14 ESV, Psalm 105:1-15 ESV, Proverbs 26:28 ESV
Daily Verse: “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14 ESV)
GUMNAZO (1128): “Primarily means to exercise naked (from gumnos, “naked”); then generally, of exercising the senses, so as to discern good and evil (Heb. 5:14).”[1]
Exercise naked!
Having the capability to consume mature food means discernment came from exercising naked. What an insane thought to even ponder. Yet, when we practice something so much, it becomes second nature to us.
Training yourself to become naked with God does take time and effort. Having an intimate relationship with God means laying your heart bare for Him to see and others. In our vulnerability, we connect with others in a closer relationship.
As husband and wife for ten years, I see my husband naked all the time, as he does me. No one else on earth sees my body but him and my doctors. Because Ron sees me in my most vulnerable moments, I have a closer relationship with him than anyone except God.
Exercise the senses
Becoming completely vulnerable before God, taking off all the layers, and becoming naked, awakens the senses. Like slipping into a hot bubble bath, with fragrant smells coming from the heated water, everything relaxes as you let your senses take over.
Practicing nakedness with God means letting Him see everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly. We all have blemishes we don’t want anyone to see. But with God, you don’t have to worry. The Creator loves every inch of you and wants you to love yourself.
Because loving God’s creation means loving what He created, you! And as my mom liked to say, “God doesn’t make junk!”
The more you open yourself up to God, the more discerning you will become. Experiencing the goodness of the Creator will make evil easily distinguished. You don’t have to know all the devil’s schemes; God exposes them with His light.
Become naked with God, and experience His goodness in a way you won’t know unless you do. Nothing in your past will stop the Creator from loving His creation, you.
[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 62) Thomas Nelson
