Consistency Over Intensity

Bible In A Year | Read: Titus 2

In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. (Titus 2: 7-8)

We all like intensity over consistency but that’s not what research shows.  For example a group of researchers  from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia found the opposite. They studied three groups of people within four weeks doing arm resistance exercises. They then measured changes in muscle thickness and strength.

The participants performed bicep curls on a machine that measured muscle strength in each contraction.

Two groups performed 30 contractions per week: one did six bicep curls a day for five days a week, while the other group performed all 30 repetitions in a single day once a week. The third group only performed six bicep curls one day a week.

After the four-week training period, the researchers found that the group that did 30 bicep curls on a single day once a week showed no increase in muscle strength. However, the participants’ muscle thickness increased by almost 6%.

The group that did six bicep curls weekly showed no changes in strength or size. However, the group that did six contractions per day for five days a week showed more than a 10% increase in muscle strength—a significant figure. The participants’ muscle thickness was similar to the group that did 30 bicep curls weekly.  Even doing the same thing consistently over a period of time is always more beneficial than doing it once a week.  Paul wants Titus to understand the same thing. 

Titus got an advice letter from Paul so that his life was not shifted by anything even by other teachings, or worldly things that could keep him away from the truth. Many things that we can see through the media or the internet, we must be vigilant because not all of the programs can build our spirit. Whatever is contrary to the Word of God, do not make it as a guidance in our lives. Let us be a Christian who is consistent with the Word of God.

Action Steps 

Bible: What is God showing me?  What am I going to do about it? 

Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.

Join us each morning as some C3ers discuss the daily readings from Made For More.  Tuesday’s Consistency over Intensity & Eight Little Trent’s.