“Does God Care About How I Treat My Physical Body?”

(article from Faithful Workouts) January 2017

“Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is.” -3 John 1:2

For centuries Christians have asked the question,“Does God care about how I treat my physical body?”  Maybe it’s even a question you’ve asked yourself.

I love how my study bible explains this verse from 3 John: “John was concerned for Gaius’s physical and spiritual well-being. This was the opposite of the popular ideology that taught the separation of spirit and matter and despised the physical side of life. Today, many people still fall into this way of thinking. This non-Christian attitude logically leads to one of two responses: neglect of the body and physical health or indulgence of the body’s sinful desires. God is concerned for both your body and your soul. As a responsible Christian, you should neither neglect nor indulge yourself, but care for your physical needs and discipline your body so that you are at your best for God’s service.” (The Application Study Bible, New Living Translation)

Let me repeat that again…discipline your body so that you are at your best for God’s service.

That’s really what we have to keep at the forefront of our minds as we begin our journey to better health. It’s not about getting into a certain size of jeans, and it’s not about a number on the scale, our desire should be that we take better care for our body so that we are at our best for God’s service. We should exercise and eat healthy so we will have the energy and strength to do what God has planned for us.

Of course there is nothing wrong with having a body that looks strong and healthy and fits into the jeans you love, but it shouldn’t be our main motivator. 3 John 1:2 is not the only verse that speaks about caring for our physical bodies, here are few others.

Romans 3:16 – “We are to use our whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God”

Romans 12:1 – “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

If you have decided to be a follower of Christ you should take care of your body. I know it’s not easy. It takes discipline and self control but know that God is there to help you. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” – 2 Timothy 1:7

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