Why every man should take care of his body.

Seven years ago, my doctor warned me about a particular heart condition and scolded me for not taking care of myself. Something he said about the “widow-maker” got my attention. Anyway, not long after that, a small group of young bucks at church got together and formed a fit group and graciously allowed this old guy to join them. At that point my motivation was survival. Thus began my journey into fitness.

We would check in online everyday sharing what workout we did, give a brief diet report, share verses and prayer requests, and generally harass one another in Christian love. The accountability proved an effective ingredient in both our spiritual and physical fitness. And once you’re in the habit of exercising and eating right, the visible results are rewarding enough that it isn’t just a routine anymore but a way of life.

Guys, I want to encourage you to take care of yourself. By that I mean your whole self: body and soul. Of course, while we understand the priority of the spiritual over the physical, we must not discount that the Bible does say that bodily exercise has some value (1 Timothy 4:8).

The Problem of Motivation

One of the problems about getting in shape is the wrong motivation. We live in a culture that obsesses about physical appearance. To a great degree, the modern fitness center has become a temple dedicated to the worship of the human body. If you have a gym membership, you’ve most likely witnessed both men and women flaunting their buffed and toned bodies for all to admire. On this point I will simply say that you need to be alert to the temptation to fuel fitness by pride.

The Purpose of Fitness

Why should we as Christians keep ourselves physically fit? Let me share three reasons that I believe are consistent with a Christian worldview. You may want to read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, which serves as a foundation for what follows.

1. View fitness as a stewardship.

In 1 Corinthians 6, the Apostle Paul reminds believers that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we “are not our own.” (1 Cor 6:19) Your body belongs to the Lord, and you are not free to do with your body as you please: “The body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord.” (1 Cor 6:13) The principle of stewardship says that God owns everything; even our body. For that reason, you must view fitness as a stewardship in which we care for that which belongs to God.

You must view fitness as a stewardship in which we care for that which belongs to God.

2. Use fitness as a means to glorify God.

Because your body belongs to God, fitness should be used as a means to glorify him. (1 Cor 6:20) Being able to stay in the game, to do what you do efficiently and effectively, and to be able to enjoy your work for as long as possible is a gift from God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13) With poor fitness, you make it harder to take care of those that physically need you. I was reminded of this principle on a recent flight during the standard pre-flight safety reminders: “Remember to put on your own oxygen mask on before assisting others.” By keeping yourself in shape, you increase your potential of serving Jesus better and longer. Who wants to outlive their usefulness anyway?

3. Embrace fitness as a mirror of the spiritual.

Finishing a great workout always brings a measure of satisfaction. There have been times I have dreaded going down to the basement to my little gym to work out. But pushing through that resistance and doing the work actually brings a new level of joy to me. I often end on my knees praising God for the opportunity to offer myself up to him as a living sacrifice. Keeping physical fitness in balance with spiritual fitness makes the entire experience of working out complete. As we remember how scripture uses the physical to illustrate the spiritual, so we can relate our bodily exercise to the higher priority of spiritual exercise.

By the way, this is one reason why your quiet time with the Lord should take priority over your workout. This will help reinforce that both physical and spiritual fitness are accomplished only by God’s grace. (Philippians 2:13)

Your quiet time with the Lord should take priority over your workout.

How to Get Started

If you think you could be a better steward of your body in this regard, allow me to share a few practical tips that have helped me on my journey:

1. Make a commitment.

A commitment starts with motivation. This is also what keeps you going when things get tough. Again, this is where many get tripped up because their primary motivation is vanity or something external, rather than the internal motivation of being a good steward of God’s property.

2. Find a program that works for you.

Just like you might use a Bible reading program or devotional guide to help you stay focused and progress with your spiritual fitness, following a prescribed fitness regimen can really help you stay focused on your commitment. It takes the guesswork out of your daily routine, and it reduces the temptation to skip it altogether. Finding a fitness program doesn’t mean you need a gym membership or a complex, expensive diet—there are tons of options available today, and many of them only require minimal (or no) equipment. My fit group started with P90X, which provides a daily workout routine and a nutrition plan.

3. Get accountability.

Our fit group doesn’t actually work out together; we work out individually in our cramped, pint-sized home gyms. When one of us finishes our workout, we shoot the others a quick text message letting them know we’re done. It’s a great way to hold each other accountable: it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I send my text, and when I receive their texts, it motivates me get down to the basement and press “play” on the exercise DVD.

So, let us strive to be fit in mind and body. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, “may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).