Most people don’t know this about me, but my majors in college were Physical Education and Business. I worked at the Grand Rapids YMCA as a personal trainer and did my internship there. My goal out of college was to build and operate a Christian Fitness Center. I had a business plan in place and had even drawn up building plans for the fitness center in the shape of a cross. I loved (and still do) exercising and physical activity. Being healthy was important to me. Over time, that became something on the back burner and I was ‘too busy’ to do it. Eventually, that caught up with me and before I knew it I was pushing 300#. I wasn’t eating healthy or exercising. I have always loved eating and am able to put down a lot of food if I want to. I have (re)learned that I need to be cautious of what I eat and how much I eat.
The Bible calls that the sin of gluttony and is not silent on the matter. When viewed through the lens of Biblical principles, the pursuit of fitness is not about vanity or worldly standards but about stewardship, discipline and honoring God with our bodies.
What Is Gluttony?
Gluttony is more than just overeating; it’s a heart problem that places bodily pleasure above spiritual priorities.
Proverbs 23:20-21 warns, “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the
drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.”
This passage shows that gluttony is not just harmful to physical health—it has moral and spiritual consequences. It represents a lack of self-control, one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and a surrender to the flesh rather than to the will of God. This is something that I have struggled with over the years. Even today, it is hard for me to say “No” to food.
The Body As A Temple
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in
you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore
honor God with your bodies.”
This passage, while primarily addressing sexual immorality, carries a broader principle: our bodies are sacred. They are not ours to abuse or neglect. Maintaining physical health through proper nutrition and exercise is a form of worship and respect for God. This doesn’t mean we must become Mr. Universe, marathon runners, or a perfect physical specimen. What it does mean is that we should care
for our bodies and not damage God’s temple with gluttony or lack of exercise. I’ll address this at the end.
Discipline and Self-Control
Paul often used the metaphor of an athlete to describe the Christian life.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to
others I myself should be disqualified.”
Paul’s words illustrate that spiritual maturity often mirrors physical discipline. The practice of regular exercise and mindful eating can serve as physical reminders of the spiritual discipline we are called to pursue. Choosing a healthy lifestyle requires sacrifice and consistency—principles that align with the biblical call to die to ourselves daily (Luke 9:23). When we resist the temptation of overindulgence, we’re not just preserving our health; we’re actively practicing obedience and self-control.
The Idolatry Of Food
Philippians 3:19 warns, “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame,
with minds set on earthly things.”
When food becomes a source of comfort, escape, or identity, it becomes an idol. While food is to be enjoyed (1 Timothy 4:4), it must never take His place in our lives. This doesn’t mean we should live under constant guilt or legalism about our diets. Instead, we are called to examine our hearts and ask whether our relationship with food is drawing us closer to God—or pulling us away.
Fitness Without Vanity
On the other side of the spectrum lies another danger: the idolization of fitness. In our quest to avoid gluttony, we must guard against vanity and pride.
1 Timothy 4:8 says “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
While maintaining our physical health is important, it should never eclipse our spiritual well-being. Fitness should not be about achieving a worldly ideal but about being fit for the purpose God has for us. A healthy body supports a strong spirit. It enables us to serve others and endure the rigors of life with energy and joy.
A Balanced Approach
The Christian response to gluttony and fitness is one of balance, humility, and grace. We are not saved by our waistlines, nor are we condemned by a cheat meal. Are we glorifying God in our choices? Are we using our bodies to serve, to worship, and to love well?
Romans 12:1 urges, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Fitness, then, becomes an act of devotion, and avoiding gluttony becomes a form of spiritual clarity. This is not a devotion to shame anybody. If you are not active and have a few (or more) extra pounds, how does this balance begin? Literally, one step at a time. I am not ‘fit as a fiddle’ but I have adopted a healthy lifestyle with my eating habits and exercise over the last few years. I have dropped a significant
amount of weight and still have a ways to go to get to my goal. I fall off the bandwagon on a regular basis but pick myself up and get started again. It is a never ending struggle just as any sin can be. You have to make a conscious effort to take a walk or say “no” to that extra helping of food. The first step is the hardest, but each step after that gets easier. You will not see results overnight. It is not going to be
easy, but nothing worth doing well is ever easy.
Things to think about…..
Do I have bad eating habits?
Am I out of shape? Yes, round is a shape , but not a healthy one.
Do I have someone that can encourage me to become a healthier version of me?
When will you take that first step to begin maintaining God’s temple?
