Exercise for God's Glory: Honoring Him with Our Physical Health

Do You Exercise for the Wrong Reasons?

Do you exercise to look good or to impress others? Do you do it to alleviate stress and anxiety, or to feel accomplished? While these are all valid reasons to exercise, they may not be the best reasons. As Christians, we are called to honor God in all that we do, including our physical health and fitness. So, why do we exercise?

God Made Us to Move

From the very beginning, God made us to move. In Genesis 1:27-28, we read that God created man and woman in his own image and blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

God gave us the ability to move and to have dominion over the earth. He created our bodies to be strong and capable of physical activity. Exercise is a way for us to honor God by taking care of the bodies he has given us.

Exercise for God’s Glory

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we are told, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This verse applies to every aspect of our lives, including our physical fitness. We are called to honor God in everything we do, including our exercise habits.

When we exercise, we should do it with the intention of glorifying God. We can honor him by taking care of our bodies, using our physical strength to serve others, and giving him thanks for the abilities he has given us.

Exercise for Health, Not Vanity

While it’s important to take care of our physical appearance, we should not exercise solely for the purpose of looking good or impressing others. 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance. Our focus should be on our health and well-being, rather than our physical appearance.

When we exercise for health, we are taking care of the bodies God has given us. We are also honoring him by stewarding our health in a responsible and wise way. Exercise can help us maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and improve our mental health and mood.

Exercise for Service

As Christians, we are called to serve others. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Exercise can be a way for us to serve others. When we are physically fit and capable, we can help others in practical ways. We can volunteer to help with physical labor, assist those who are less mobile, or participate in a charity run or walk to raise funds for a worthy cause.

Exercise with Gratitude

Lastly, we should exercise with gratitude. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are told, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

When we exercise, we should give thanks to God for the abilities he has given us. We should be grateful for our bodies and for the opportunity to move and be active. Exercise can be a way for us to connect with God and to give him thanks for his goodness and provision.

The Danger of Idolatry

While exercise can be a way for us to honor God, it’s important to be aware of the danger of idolatry. When we become obsessed with exercise or physical fitness, it can become an idol in our lives. We may begin to prioritize exercise over our relationships with God and others, or become consumed with our physical appearance.

Colossians 3:5 warns us to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” We must be careful not to let exercise become an idol in our lives.

The Bottom Line

Exercise can be a way for us to honor God and steward the bodies he has given us. When we exercise with the intention of glorifying God, taking care of our health, serving others, and giving thanks to God, we can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life that honors him.

However, we must be careful not to let exercise become an idol in our lives. We should prioritize our relationship with God and others above our physical fitness, and be aware of the danger of idolatry.

So, why do you exercise? Is it to honor God and take care of the body he has given you? Or is it for other, less important reasons? Take some time to reflect on your exercise habits and ask God to guide you in using your physical strength to honor him.