Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11

LEARN

When we think of the Christian faith, most of our conversations revolve around how to love God well by growing in relationship with Him and serving others. You don’t usually hear conversations about exercising for the glory of God, and if it is brought up, it is often a divisive topic. Much like any divisive topic, we tend to position ourselves in one camp or another depending on what our preference is. In terms of health and wellness I think the two camps can be summed up as - the “health nuts” or the “not-so health nuts.” A general summary of both views can be summed up like this…

“The Christian Health Nuts Camp”

Main Scripture references:
“Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and STRENGTH.” (Luke 10:27)
”So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
”Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Belief: Focusing on our health and wellness is a way we can honor God and be the best version of ourselves.
Frustrations About The Other View: Not-so health nuts are lazy, unmotivated, and undisciplined.
Potential Drawbacks: To overly focus on self and under-focus on God.

“The Christian Not-So Health Nuts Camp”

Main Scripture References:
”For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6)
Belief: Focusing on our spiritual life and relationship with God is the most important, and focusing too much on self detracts from that, especially since our bodies will be fully restored in heaven.
Frustrations About The Other View: Health nuts are vain and self-focused.
Potential Drawbacks: To neglect stewarding their bodies in the present time to glorify God.

So as you are reading this, being persuaded one way or another, or getting fired up again about your thoughts on the topic, I would ask you to to take a deep breath and think instead on this question. Can the issue about whether we should exercise as a Christian really be answered through agreeing with one camp or the other?

I believe the bible would say no. A healthy, biblical perspective seems to be the sum of both understandings where we are to cautiously examine our sinful tendencies to focus on self. Focusing on self can come in the form of idolizing your body, but it can also come in the form of neglecting your body for your own comfort or pleasure. The extremes of both views ultimately lead away from our main purpose as Christians, that purpose being to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

So with that purpose in mind, instead of trying to figure out where you stand on the issue, why not figure out what your motives are for wanting to exercise or not exercise. Our desire to glorify God should always shape our motives and actions. The best way you can do this is to ask yourself 5 things. These 5 things you should ask yourself not just when it comes to exercise but throughout your day as you are working towards being a purposeful Christian. If you can remember before anything you do in life, to pause and reflect on who, what, where, when, and why, you will be able to more fully understand and work towards thoughtful living on mission for God.

KNOW

Who? Ask yourself who am I doing this for, really? (Am I doing this for myself, for another person, or am I doing this for God.)
What? Ask yourself what am I doing this for? (Will this action draw me closer to God, or will this action draw me closer to getting my needs or desires met.)
Where? Ask yourself where you should be doing this? (Is this thing at this place going to be a place where I could fall into temptation with lust, laziness, binging, etc. and if so how can I have better accountability to not fall into temptation in order to glorify God)
When? Ask yourself when is an appropriate time to do this? (Am I prioritizing exercise, friends, t.v., jobs, etc. over my relationship with Christ? )
Why? Ask yourself why do I want to do it? Is it because I want glory, acceptance, fulfillment, connection, status, _______________ / or is it because I want to glorify God with my actions.

DO

Pray over your motivations to workout or not workout and ask God to forgive your for being selfish. Then re-read the main scripture passage from this blog and reflect on this week how you can be glorifying God more fully with your life.