Strong for the Journey: HOW JESUS SHOWS US THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL FITNESS

“But He answered, ‘It is written…’”

Matthew 4:4, ESV

Before Jesus taught, He listened. Before He healed, He prayed. Before He called disciples to

follow Him, He followed the Father into the wilderness. And before He changed the world, He held tightly to the Word. In other words, the first steps of Jesus’ ministry weren’t outward; they were inward, rooted in Scripture.

And if we want to begin the year with strength, we do well to follow Jesus’ example.

Think about it. Matthew tells us that “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1).

This moment arrives before the miracles, before the parables, before the Sermon on the Mount. It is the quiet beginning of a public ministry that would alter human history, and it takes place not in a crowd but in solitude. Forty days of fasting left Jesus physically depleted, yet in this vulnerable moment, He demonstrated the true foundation of spiritual strength.

When the tempter approached Jesus, the challenges were subtle but significant. Satan questioned His identity, His trust in the Father, and His commitment to the redemptive mission set before Him. Each temptation invited Jesus to take an easier road: one that offered provision without trusting in the Father, glory without obeying the Father, and recognition without offering Himself as a sacrifice to the Father.

How did Jesus respond to Satan’s temptations? Quite simply: “It is written.”

With those three words, He turns again and again to Scripture, drawing strength from the truths He had treasured since childhood. Make no mistake about it. Jesus did not rely on personal resolve or willpower. Instead, He anchored himself in God’s Word, showing us that spiritual strength is not a product of inner grit but of inner grounding.

We may not face temptations identical to Jesus’, but we all encounter seasons that test our faith. Times when life feels overwhelming, when uncertainty clouds our path, or when discouragement whispers that we are alone. In those moments,

Jesus’ example offers great clarity. If He answered temptation with Scripture, how much more do we need God’s Word to sustain and steady us?

Spiritual fitness, as Jesus models it, grows through steady, faithful engagement with the truth. When we read Scripture daily, reflect on its meaning, obey its instructions, and allow its promises to shape our decisions, we become more resilient. Our hearts grow stronger, our minds clearer, and our faith steadier. Spiritual strength is not formed in dramatic moments but cultivated through daily habits that draw us closer to God.

If you’re like many people, you’re a little skeptical about “New Year’s Resolutions.” And rightly from abiding in Scripture, trusting the Father, and standing firm on truth. It is a strength available to every believer, in every season, for every step of the journey ahead. so. Often, these resolutions are half-hearted gestures with little or no follow-through. But with the transformative power of the Spirit working in and through us, we can genuinely and truly start the new year strong and finish it even stronger.

Jesus shows us that lasting strength comes not from secular resolutions but from spiritual reliance. Imagine beginning 2026 with Scripture as your anchor each morning. Imagine facing challenges with God’s truth already dwelling in your heart. Imagine stepping into a new season with confidence—not in yourself, but in the God who speaks through His Word.

This is the strength Jesus invites us to pursue: strength that comes from abiding in Scripture, trusting the Father, and standing firm on truth. It is a strength available to every believer, in every season, for every step of the journey ahead.

Here at Back to the Bible, our desire is to walk with you as you build these habits of spiritual fitness. Through our articles, daily teaching, and growing podcast resources— including Spiritually Fit Today and Alive & Sober with Reno C—we’re committed to helping you begin the year rooted in Scripture and strengthened by God’s truth.

As we step into 2026, may we follow the path Jesus walked: grounded in the Word, guided by the Spirit, and strengthened for the journey God has prepared for us.

ONE SENTENCE THAT CHANGES YOUR YEAR

An Invitation to Begin 2026 with Strength

Spiritual strength grows through simple, consistent habits. One of the easiest ways to start your day rooted in truth is to speak a single Scripture-shaped sentence (a verse, phrase, or truth from God's Word) aloud every morning.

What does a one-sentence declaration do for you?

• Refocuses your heart on God.

• Frames your day with truth rather than fear.

• Builds spiritual strength over time.

Ask God for one sentence to carry with you daily in 2026. Write it in the space provided on the next page. Cut it out, place it where you’ll see it, and let it start your walk with Jesus each day.