Spiritual and Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is not something many people know that the Bible actually talks about. It doesn’t go into a huge amount of detail about it because the Bible is mainly for spiritual growth and fitness, but it does go over the importance of physical fitness in various parts of the Bible. Back then, everyone walked everywhere and there were no cars, bikes, trains, etc. to move people from place to place. You would be fortunate to be able to afford a horse, donkey, or cart to travel with back in those days. So, physical fitness was more incorporated into daily life more so than it is nowadays. Now, you have to make time to exercise and stay fit. Also, the dangers of gluttony and overeating are much easier to do because you don’t have to cook in order to eat anymore.

I have been a victim of giving in to own cravings and urges. I’ve been guilty of gluttony and gorging myself on food as I’m sure most people have at some point in their life. Buffets almost encourage these acts of overindulgence of food with the endless amount of food that is offered in one sitting. It says in Proverbs 23:20, 21. “ Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.” Basically, overindulgence of food, alcohol, or sleep will eat you out of house and home. Nothing in excess is good for the body or for the spirit God gave us.

Paul talks about physical fitness being important, but not as important as spiritual fitness. “Or do you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. We must treat our body as a temple when the Holy Spirit dwells in us. We must deny ourselves and take up our cross at times in order to maintain and achieve our physical and spiritual goals to ensure they are both at peak performance. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30.

Everyday is a great day to challenge ourselves to new heights and/or achieve a new goal. Discipline must be exercised daily in order to maintain a healthy physique. This practice also helps us in our spiritual growth as well. “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27. We can all slack off from time to time but the point is to keep moving forward and achieve a little more each day in our walk with God. Let’s all strive for healthy lives spiritually and physically.