Biblical Foundations of Exercise

Let me ask you a question: have you ever exercised? The majority of you will answer yes and reply with a sports category or lifting weights back in high school. Let me ask you another question: what was the intention for your exercise endeavor? If you are anything like me, the answer would have been a list of self benefits, selfish desires.

“I want to attract the opposite sex. I want to better my self-esteem. I want a six pack or a bigger butt.”

The list can go on but the common denominator: I. We are all about ourselves. Every aspect of us is dead due to sin. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:1 (ESV): “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” By nature, we are children under God’s wrath who choose to rebel against Him. Exercise is no different in the light of our sinful nature.

Biblical Exercise

In God’s redeeming work through Jesus Christ, we do not own our bodies nor anything on this earth. Some may think that we do. To the believer, we were bought with a price — Christ’s own blood shed for us. In doing so, we are commanded to glorify God with our bodies (1 Cor. 6:20 ESV). The question is, how do we, as Christians, glorify God with our bodies? Discipline.

The act of discipline is concentrated, focused, and active efforts to change one’s behavior which will ultimately lead to a specific result, usually for the better. In the sense of the article, this means putting down the Netflix, Amazon account, artificial and sugary foods, excessive partying, beer, and get that body in the gym so that it is functional enough to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. How can we, as believers, carry out the collective — personal — calling of God while our bodies are falling apart? We simply cannot do so when we are purposely letting our bodies go and making it a recipe for disease as if we were never entrusted with one. With exercise and nutrition the majority of chronic diseases can be prevented which attributes to 70% of deaths in the United States.

Now, you do not have to be a bodybuilder, cross fitter, or a power lifter to have a healthy body and glorify God. Does running give you joy? What about swimming, tennis, or bike rides? Personally, bodybuilding brings me the most joy. That 1–1.5 hours in the gym fighting failure and the urge to not puke on every exercise is when I feel closest to God apart from my personal devotions.

I know that every meal eaten and rep performed, my body is fighting laziness, disease, and any factor that can keep me from sharing the Gospel as well as making disciples. I am chasing an imperishable prize — not the one that will eventually wither away in a box in the ground. That is the biblical difference.

Train for Godliness

Your relationship with God, your prayer life, and being sharpened by other believers is of utmost importance in comparison to physical exercise.

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 (ESV)

Along this earthly journey, we tend to forget our first love similar to the church in Ephesus (Rev 2:4 ESV). We get so caught up in works and deeds that personal devotion with our Heavenly Father is put on the back burner. Physical training, like all earthly things, falls into that category. We must not neglect exercise for Paul saw value in it. However, it must not be above Christ. He is the only one worthy of our praise.

Practical Steps

1. Make a FIRM decision — We are people that talk about what we are going to do. Then our talk becomes another failed New Year’s resolution. When the pain is finally great enough where you cannot bear being lazy, overweight, tired and exhausted, then a firm decision is made.
2. Have SMART Goals —Set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. All this means is that it is YOUR goal, that you can see progress, and the goal has an end date.
3. Make a plan and write it down — If you fail to plan then you plan to fail. You cannot achieve something by accident and without focus. Reverse engineer your goal that was made and see what is needed month to month, week to week, and day to day.
4. Patience — Change and results take time. You are overcoming years of insufficient and detrimental habits. There is no need to be harsh on yourself if progress is slow in the beginning. You are beginning a new journey for the long haul. Rome was not built in a day and neither will your results. Patience is a virtue.
5. Do research / Hire a professional — Prior to stepping foot in the gym or beginning an exercise program, do your research and consider hiring a professional. The last thing we want is a body full of injuries due to improper form. Learn the form, motions, techniques, and all that is required to exercise safely.

Always remember that our prize is not a trophy, medal, attention of others, or anything that is perishable. We train and discipline ourselves for an imperishable wreath. Jesus Christ.