As some of you know I am a personal trainer, and I have a question and want your opinions. Do you think that working out and participating in fitness activities is a waste of time and useless or even sinful as a christian? As a follower of christ should we not be taking time to workout and stay in shape? What are your thoughts on this?
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25 replies on this topic
daniel@seekGodnow.org - 9/13/10 @ 7:31 AM
it should definitely not be any career. let the non-christians do the personal training, but you - go and preach the gospel
LittleMiss - 9/13/10 @ 7:33 AM
I don't think it's a waste of time at all! God tells us that our body is the temple and I think He meant that in every aspect. If we don't work out and excercise our bodies don't function as well as they should. Additionally, scientifically it is shown that through working out you stimulate brain activity which will help you retain your memory as you get older. I don't think that God would have designed our bodies to do that if it was sinful. The only problem I can see is if you start to let it rule you. Like anything else, if it becomes the priority in your life it is a sin. But simply keeping in shape I think we are actually honoring God by taking care of the body that He gave us :).
LittleMiss - 9/13/10 @ 7:38 AM
Why should it only be a non-christian job? People need to hear about the gospel in the training facilities as well as in Churches and foreign countries. I am studying to work for law enforcement and I don't feel called to "Go Out" and preach but to spread the Gospel in the workplace. I firmly believe that if we undertake a calling that is not of God, He will NOT honor it. So if PutHisBloodOnIt feels like he can share the gospel there, then why not?
daniel@seekGodnow.org - 9/13/10 @ 8:09 AM
ok here are the verses..
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Psalm 33:17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)
psalm 147
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Jesus explicitly said to give up your life for Him. how is that giving up your life? that's like going off and becoming a marine. that's giving up your life *for the government*, that's becoming a slave to man - literally, and God forbid that: 1 Corinthians 7:23 - You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
@littlemiss, you may say "the gospel needs to be spread at gyms" and it does, but i've never heard of one christian gym in my life, and of the secular ones, which would ever allow an employee to preach? even if there were christian gyms, who would go there? and how would they go there? and how often would they go there? it is a vanity and a loss to pay money for a gym membership, because if one needs to lose weight, he/she can go on a walk, fast or eat less, or something else. and if someone is not as strong as he/she'd prefer, then that's a matter of personal preference and literally is worthless, cause physical strength is of no high need to anyone. and it doesn't even last. i went through that phase of going to the gym and working out and i got a little stronger for - how long? less time than i'd spent at the gym. it's a waste.
law enforcement, as a career? and you say you don't feel called out to Go Out and preach the gospel? i don't even know what to say. you don't have a Bible?
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
if you are *not* out to be doing that with your life, then you are not serving God, and you belong to the world.
you'd preach the gospel much better if you focused on preaching the gospel. but if you go to law enforcement school and so on, what are you focusing on? what would the average person think a person going to law enforcement is focusing on? police person? SWAT? detective?
@PHBOI, God designs each of our bodies with it's own shape, but i'm pretty sure that when we say we want to stay in shape, we mean in the shape of the models and musclemen and other people on tv. i truly believe that christians only need to not eat anything detrimental to their health and stay skinny enough to fit in the BMI thing, being strong or something like that really doesn't matter. being able to run for a mile or something could matter, but not when we have cars here in america - not unless you're going to become a missionary somewhere where there's lots of running to do or something.
i do believe becoming a personal trainer is a bad profession. i don't believe it's inherently sinful, no, but it is wrong because Jesus said to give up your life for Him. how is it that you are a personal trainer for Jesus? that sounds like something one wants to do before Jesus. you already provided your reasons for being a personal trainer: to work out and stay in shape. that's worldly. that's not God's work. if you ask the general public for acceptance, only compromise God and you will be accepted.
please don't listen to littlemiss' excuse for working out: you'll get 10x more brain activity if you give up the personal trainer thing and focus *only* on God, and do some research on the effects of fluoridated water, that'll help too.
there is nothing wrong with doing push ups, sit ups, crunches, or working out, or exercising - but it is wrong to make that your career, to continually spend unnecessary money on it, and to pretend that's how you preach the gospel. that's completely the opposite of the gospel. the gospel says live for God, but living for man, and all expressions of it such as this, say live for man.
joseBloodBought - 9/13/10 @ 8:22 AM
I do believe that it is beneficial to work out in the aspect that we should be good stewards of all that God has given us, but we have to be careful as not to lift up our souls unto vanity.
joseBloodBought - 9/13/10 @ 8:28 AM
@littlemiss We are all called to preach the gospel. It's referred to as the great commission. You can't horde salvation. Too many people have this mindstate ,"I'm saved and that's all that matters." Does that sound like being a humble servant? Not at all. We are all ministers and witnesses. We are both leaders and disciples. As you are discipled you disciple others. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Vanessa - 9/13/10 @ 8:43 AM
I believe that staying in shape is very important for a Christian. Our bodies are not ours but Gods. It is our job to keep them healthy and in good working condition for Him. I think the gospel needs to be shared everywhere. Just because you aren't a missionary to a foreign country, that doesn't mean you aren't sharing God's word with someone who needs it. For that reason, i think almost any profession can be used for His service. Who else is going to reach the athletes of this world besides fitness trainers, coaches, physiotherapists, etc? A lot of other people tend to be intimidated by them.
PutHisBloodOnIt - 9/13/10 @ 8:45 AM
In my situation I do not work for a gym, I am an independent personal trainer and have my own clients, this is part time after my first job and on the weekend. My main job is collision repair and painting ( is that job no good in your eyes either? Just curious) but to stay on topic Daniel I'm addressinng your statements, I get what your saying and will have to reply later when I have more time. But here is a quick story that's happening in my life now, a guy from high school just went to Reformers Unanimous a christian rehab for addicts. Just got out a month ago and has been doing good! He's a believer now and has starting working out to keep buisy, he said he likes it since he has no friends now cause they all party and drink so when he has time he says he loves to lift weights it really helping him with his urges. He wants me to train him and show him proper ways to work out. Wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity for me to step in and help him free of charge ofcourse.
Thirst - 9/13/10 @ 11:22 AM
My body is a temple to the Lord, therefore, I should probably make that temple be pretty magnificent to help glorify God...
Not to mention most people are more drawn to 'fit' people, allowing more oppurtunities to share Christ.
Just a thought.
Cody - 9/13/10 @ 11:43 AM
Even after Jesus what beat down as bad as he was, he was still able to carry a cross a pretty good distance befor collapsing. I'm just saying, he probably wasn't some wimp. I doubt he lifted weights all day but with his dad being a carpenter I bet he was doing all sorts of heavy lifting in the 30 years we don't know about.
Thats just an assumption, but usually at that time period your father would teach you the ways of his occupation and you would take his place. So until he went out into the world, He was probably home lifting all sorts of stuff to help his father.
...Every movie and picture I have seen, the cross doesn't look too light
Marvin - 9/13/10 @ 12:39 PM
my opinion,
workout in excess surely is a "dumb" thing to do... Being a fitness coach is fine with me...
I've seen secular doctors, medics, engineers and all the like and I thank them for making life of these days much easier and making it easier for me to attain God's word and council (The Bible) I am trying to say, just because the job has no direct relationship to/with God it never means that it totally goes against Him/his will...
Some people spend too much time bodybuilding whilst some totally neglect their body? So is it advisable that we'd all sit at home, read our Bible 24/7, pray all the time and for what? Working out (jogging etc) can be beneficial to your time with God too! Whilst jogging you can talk to the Lord, behold His creation, listen to Sermons/ The Word (IPod) and do whatsoever fathomable...
ivan - 9/13/10 @ 1:47 PM
Goto say that Thirst has something going with the whole people being attracted to fit people thing!
An invitee would definitely have an easier opportunity to go to a church filled with people who look friendly, cleanly, and in a decent fit shape than the exact opposite. It just looks more welcoming I suppose, and as the church, we should be welcoming to those looking to find Christ.
Sarah - 9/13/10 @ 5:57 PM
I agree with most of you.
And about LittleMiss, I can't speak for her, but I'm pretty sure she meant that she feels called to share God's love in the workplace. That is actually sharing the gospel, but it is NOT hitting someone over the head (okay, a little extreme, but you get my point)with a Bible.
You need to remember that we can also be silent witnesses.
As long as fitness doesn't become your whole life, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Daniel, you have in the past said you would rather be called out publicly, so here goes.
> Paul used many, many examples of athletes training for a race.
> Hebrews 12:1~Let us run the race set before us. Again, a reference to physical exercise.
> 1 Corinthians 6:19: Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as such, we need to care for them. This means that we should keep them in good shape. What kind of care is it if you sit around preaching all the time, and end up dying of clogged arteries? (Granted, that can also happen to active people, which is why exercise needs to be combined with a healthy diet).
> And I agree with Cody. Jesus was in shape. If He hadn't been, He never would have had the physical, human strength to physically carry himself through all that He endured for our sakes.
> Furthermore, Jesus WALKED everywhere He went. Believe me, that Man was in shape. Even walking is a form of exercise.
About gyms? Well, who says we can't make a Christian gym? It's not impossible!!! And once upon a time, the YMCA and YWCA were totally Christian.
I think Bob could have a great opportunity on his hands. And I think that could go for a lot of Christians in that field. Do these things need to be God-less professions? No! God calls everyone to different things; some to preach, others to be more of a silent or backstage witness. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it as long as they do not hide their faith!!!
Also, with the one-on-one training, a lot of people open up and share things, so there is another opportunity right there.
I know my sister and I have our most heart-to-heart talks (which are extremely rare), while going for one-on-one walks.
fight.for.Christ. - 9/13/10 @ 7:09 PM
I don't think it is. I run Cross Country at my school. It's a great opportunity to get to know people and share Christ
Mark - 9/13/10 @ 7:30 PM
Do all things to the glory of God. Be convinced in your own mind, my friend.
I could stand to do a little myself! Ha!Ha!
Amy - 9/14/10 @ 2:15 PM
Our bodies are a precious gift. We are children of God, would any Loving Father want their child to disrespect and not care for their body? I would hope not.
I used to be bulimic. One of my methods of purging was over exercise. My weight was like a yo-yo. I finally had the heart to clean out all the tiny sizes in my closet. I'm now about or 10 to 12 and accept myself - perfect in the eyes of God each and every time I look at my reflection. That's a beautiful thing.
Japlace - 9/14/10 @ 3:44 PM
I think working out is just like eating or sleeping or whatever else someone does regularly. I'm not saying we should do it daily, but I'm saying theres nothing sinful about it, and its simply something humans do. Theres nothing "wrong" about it, its just like sleeping! humans do it whether they like it or. Walking to the fast food place is working out. Fast food isn't a nutritional supplement to your walking, but surly it is a form working out.
When it comes to a waste of time, yes it can be AT TIMES. But so can anything! You have to do it in moderation.
I workout thrice times a week, and i eat like a mad man! I simply workout because if i didn't i would continue my same eating habits, and sadly but truly food puts on pounds. I LOVE food, and i love the satisfaction of working it off. Its just me. I used to weigh 155 when i was twelve years old, and 5'7". Now im 6'2" and 195. Now, 40 pounds for 7 inches isn't much at alll, sooo Ive kinda just stretched out like a gummy bear, lol. But what i'm saying is that now workout because if i didn't, i would be 250 in a month! Just thats how i eat! But for some people they wouldn't gain that even without working out. We allll have different body types and diets.
With God, your body type doesn't matter, whether you're big or fit or small, its if your comfortable. God says come as you are.
@Thirst. I'm sorry, but that isn't 100% correct, brother. I don't want someone to be let astray, so i feel let to correct you, alright brother? Understand my reason for correction.
"Not to mention most people are more drawn to 'fit' people, allowing more oppurtunities to share Christ." - Thirst
People, humans, are SOLELY attracted to Christians because of He who is within them. If you are a Christian it doesn't matter if you are the most popular kid in school or the most beautiful or handsome, people are attracted to the light within you. NOTHING except that. God attracts. period. Yes, we are attracted to the flesh, but we are made in the image of God. We are not made in the image of a "fit" person or a "obese" person, but in the image of God. God doesn't see "fit" or "obese", He only sees His child.
His love doesn't have an opinion of what you look like. He just LOVES, for He is love.
In conclusion, there is nothing sinful about working out, and theres nothing sinful about over eating, they just both have to be done in moderation.
Vanessa - 9/14/10 @ 4:27 PM
I just got back from a run and I've got to say, it made me more aware of God's creation and the beauty of nature. Secluded highway, sunny sky, every colour of tree imaginable, and only passed about 5 vehicles in a half hour! I defintely think that's positive.
Daniel - 9/14/10 @ 5:38 PM
there's a surprise...daniel@seekgodnow says working out is satanic. in fact, unless you live a monk's life in a monastary in the hills. well i guess your just not christian enough for him.
i'm sorry daniel@seekgodnow my parents were not rich, they couldn't send me to a good college or bible school. i fell i with bad people in high school made some worse decisions. and in a failing economy i joined into this "slavery" marine corp! i have tattoos! i DON'T judge people. i drive a 2005 truck with 20" rims, and a toyota supra! but you know what the low down is...?
JESUS LOVES ME, JESUS DIED FOR ME, AND GOD ACCEPTS ME!
i am a united states marine, i am proud of it, and god has helped me get where i am today! my tattoos glorify god! my truck gets me to church every sunday! and to work every day of the week where i in turn work out, run, and keep my body in shape!
and JESUS STILL LOVES ME. i have no bible verses to stand on, so you're only going to push me aside like an ignorant child.
but when it all comes down to it JESUS STILL LOVES ME! jesus still loves you when you work out. jesus still loves you tattood and pierced! he still loves you when you hunt, or play guitar, or go to work in the mornings.
and to be honest, in the endgame are we not supposed to do two things?
Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version)
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
if you love the lord while you work out? or love the lord in your tattoos? or when you work on your cars? then are you not loving the lord?
i love the united states marine corp! i love working out! i love tattoos! and i love serving the lord!
Cody - 9/14/10 @ 6:32 PM
...epic