Note 5 at 1 Tim. 4:7: Just as there are many things today that we can give ourselves to (such as television, movies, music, the Internet, etc.), so it was also in the first century. "Profane and old wives' fables" were phrases of godless myths, tales, and superstitions that lacked credibility. Paul said to "refuse," that is, don't accept, consider or receive these thoughts. Rather, exercise yourself unto godliness. Paul's admonition called for discipline of the mind for the purpose of godliness.

Godliness is characterized by proper thoughts and attitudes that respond to God. This doesn't just automatically happen any more than muscles develop automatically. We have to exercise ourselves to increase our muscle tone in the natural, and we have to exercise ourselves unto godliness in the spiritual realm.