Introduction
Did you know that there are amazing and seemingly endless health benefits to regular exercise. According to MedlinePlus.gov regular exercise,
- Helps you get to and stay at a healthy weight
- Reduces your risk of heart diseases
- Helps your body manage blood glucose (blood sugar) and insulin levels
- Improves your mental health and mood
- Helps keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age
- Strengthens your bones and muscles
- Improves your sleep quality
- Improves your sexual health
- And increases your chances of living longer!
That’s a lot of benefits! And the list just goes on. So that’s really cool and all, but what does God have to say about us exercising?
In this post we will see that God is for us exercising. Our bodies are the temple of His Holy Spirit. When we exercise and take care of our bodies we are loving those around us.
We will also discuss the danger of becoming prideful and how to prevent it God’s way. And lastly we will talk about doing all things for the glory of God. So keep reading to find out more about What God says about Exercise!
God Tells Us Exercise is Good
1 Timothy 4:8 — “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things…”
1 Timothy 4:8 tells us that physical training has value. We should not neglect to exercise because is is valuable. Paul didn’t have all the evidence and list of benefits we have now, but he understood that exercise was helpful and healthy.
Keep in mind Paul also did not have to deal with a large population of obese or unhealthy people. The processed foods we have now are much different than what they had then, so even more so now exercise is valuable.
However, not lessening the importance of the latter half of the verse, godliness is valuable in every way. Much more than exercising our intentions and practices should be godly and spirit building. And nonetheless exercise is good and valuable!
Our Body is a Temple
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Our bodies are not our own but they are Gods. In the same way that when you get married your spouse’ body is no longer only theirs. In the covenant of marriage you are saying all that I am is now shared with you. In a sense you still have your body, but your spouse has it just as much!
So if you truly love your spouse you won’t treat your body as just yours, but as theirs also. You will respect honor and take care of your body because you love honor and respect your spouse.
All the more let’s do this for our Lord! When we gave our lives to Jesus we gave our bodies to Jesus too! To neglect our bodies is to neglect Jesus’ body. So let us honor, respect and love him, and take care of his body.
Application:
- Exercise improves mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
- It strengthens our bodies, giving us the energy to serve God and others effectively.
- Caring for our bodies through exercise is an act of honoring God.
- We are called to be good stewards of the health and strength He has given us.
Love One Another (Serve Through Strength)
- Scripture Reference:
- Galatians 5:13 — “Serve one another humbly in love.”
When we prioritize our health and make exercise a part of our routines, we are not only benefiting ourselves but the lives of those around us.
When I sleep better because I exercise, my wife can be greeted with a less groggy me in the morning.
Instead of feeling too weak to open the pickle jar when my mom gives it to me to open I can now open it with confidence and ease.
Rather than getting winded when chasing after a runaway kid I can do it with minimal effort and not be frustrated because my mood is that much better!
- When we are strong and healthy, we have more stamina and energy to care for others, engage in ministry, and fulfill God’s calling.
- Fitness isn’t just for personal gain but to better serve others in love.
Don’t Become Prideful (Guard Against Vanity)
Proverbs 16:18 — “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Now maybe you’re convinced to start exercising. But there is a caution I must give you. Don’t become prideful and conceited. The enemy wants to take you down any way he can. If he can’t get you with piles of junk food and laziness he’ll use your healthy lifestyle to trap you in the snares of pride.
Pride happens when you start to idolize your workouts, your physical appearance, your diet etc. We have to be very careful not to idolize any part of our lives. We must look at exercise as what it is, valuable and important, but it is not the most valuable and important. So more than being healthy through exercise, have a healthy relationship with it.
- Pride can creep in when we begin to focus more on outward appearance than on honoring God.
- Maintain a humble heart, remembering that strength and health are gifts from God.
Do All Things for the Glory of God (Purpose & Worship)
1 Corinthians 10:31 — “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Remember that no matter what we do our intention and motive should be to glorify God. So whether we eat or drink, workout or go for a walk, do all for God’s glory!
His grace is the reason we are able to move and live and eat and workout, so He is the one who deserves the praise and the glory.
- Shift your focus from self-centered goals to honoring God with our bodies.
- Consider praying before and during workouts, practically and intentionally dedicating your workouts to God.
How to Apply This in Your Life (Practical Steps)
- Set Intentions: Before starting a workout, dedicate yourself and your workout to God.
- Prioritize Balance: Avoid obsession while maintaining discipline.
- Incorporate Prayer: Use exercise time as an opportunity to talk with God or meditate on His Word.
- Serve Through Strength: Look for ways to use your physical energy to help others.
- Stay Humble: Regularly check your heart to ensure your motivation is pleasing to God.
Final Thoughts & Encouragement
Honoring God in exercise is not about striving for perfection but about offering our bodies in worship to Him. It is a way of appreciating and loving God, ourselves, and those around us. And again the benefits are endless! So why not do it!
How do you invite God into your fitness routine? Let me know in the comments!
Share this post with others who are seeking to align their health goals with biblical principles!
If you haven’t already check out my last post on what God says about finding peace in stressful times Here! And Stay tuned for my next post on, “What Does God Say About Resting Well?”
References
Bible Gateway. (n.d.). BibleGateway.com. Retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/
National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Benefits of exercise. MedlinePlus. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://medlineplus.gov/benefitsofexercise.html
