"Be Training Yourself"

'Grease Him With Oil'

Part of the athletic training in ancient Greece was done by the anointer. His job was to anoint with oil the bodies of the men who were about to to exercise. The trainers "noticed that a skilled massage of the muscles before training had beneficial effects, and also that  a careful light massage assisted the process of winding down and recovery by an athlete who had completed a long training session," observes The Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.

As the applying of literal oil to one's body can be soothing, therapeutic, and healing, the application of God's Word to a tired Christian "athlete" can correct, comfort, and heal him. Thus, under guidance from Jehovah, the older men of the congregation are admonished  to pray over such a man, figuratively "greasing him with oil in the name of Jehovah," an essential measure in affecting spiritual recovery. -James 5:13-15; Psalm 141:4.  

Next time: Should You Be Easygoing?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2002