Fasting or Weightlifting?

[MaxR1996]

This has been a constant struggle for me for the past few months.

Ever since I've been saved I've felt called to fast, but only have committed to 1, 2, or 3 day fasts.

I just feel so much heavier and less spiritual when i eat large amounts of food.

The reason this is so conflicting is because my biggest passion in life ( other than god, jesus, family, and friends ), is Weightliftng.

Weightlifting requires a lot of calories to progress.

So i can't really fast and weightlift at the same time.

Sometimes I question is weightlifting is something god even wants me to do.

I doubt he values physical strength very much.

Jesus wasn't Jesus for his physical strength but for his spiritual strength, along with everything else.

That leads to me to think that If I want to truly follow Jesus I should prioritize a spiritual journey over a physical one.

At the same time I feel this is my only chance at being great at something and being remembered for something. I have pretty decent potential as a weightlifter and could take it pretty far if I gain enough weight, I just feel maybe it is gluttony to eat so much.

I'm really conflicted between the two. A spiritual journey vs A physical journey.

Part of me says "Just pursue weighlifting for the 2-3 years, reach your goals, and then pursue your spiritual journey and do fasting periods for the rest of your life". But at the same time I never know when I'll die and I feel If I were to die now I would be "dying in my sin" of Gluttony.

Whenever I get off track, I remember how serious this world we're living in is.

We are fighting a spiritual battle.

We are a vessel to be filled with God or Satan.

Sometimes I wonder how I can even consider a selfish ambition or passion to be more important than fasting for god, I mean if theres a chance I can go to heaven I should take it, even if that means giving everything else up including my passion.

So I'm looking for guidance.

A lot of people tell me to find a middle ground and "you're taking this Jesus thing too seriously" but I want to pursue it to the end, and part of me feels like being a big jacked weightlifter isn't very Jesus like.

 

[HRoseC]

Sometimes I wonder how I can even consider a selfish ambition or passion to be more important than fasting for god, I mean if theres a chance I can go to heaven I should take it, even if that means giving everything else up including my passion.

So I'm looking for guidance.

A lot of people tell me to find a middle ground and "you're taking this Jesus thing too seriously" but I want to pursue it to the end, and part of me feels like being a big jacked weightlifter isn't very Jesus like.

I love that you are passionate to find God and follow him. But remember it isn't what you do that gets you in to heaven. The ONLY way to get in to heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and ask him to be the Lord of your life. You will go to heaven.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
If you love weightlifting it could be something that God has put into your life for a reason. Why not be a weight lifter for God's glory? Some people are called to fast, but don't fast as a means to try to make yourself holy enough to go to heaven. For if you try to do it all by your strength you will fail. You can't ever be a good enough person to work your way into heaven.

 

[MaxR1996]

I love that you are passionate to find God and follow him. But remember it isn't what you do that gets you in to heaven. The ONLY way to get in to heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and ask him to be the Lord of your life. You will go to heaven.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
If you love weightlifting it could be something that God has put into your life for a reason. Why not be a weight lifter for God's glory? Some people are called to fast, but don't fast as a means to try to make yourself holy enough to go to heaven. For if you try to do it all by your strength you will fail. You can't ever be a good enough person to work your way into heaven.

Thats a great point thank you for your answer. I can't "work" myself to heaven, its about having faith in Jesus Christ. I will follow your advice and be a weightlifter for gods glory. Thank you

 

[HRoseC]

Do you have a Christian mentor or community in your life? It's hard for anyone to say for you on a internet form what you should or shouldn't. Since, none of us know you personality. Pray about how you can use weight lifting and seek guidance from fellow believers around you and I'm sure that God will make your path more clear and show you how you can possible use your gift to glorify him.

 

[LaSorcia]

What springs to my mind is 'physical training is of some value, but Godliness is profitable in all things.' It's from Timothy 4:8.

Also, Daniel and his buddies ate only vegetables and were better off than those around them.

Fasting might help, not hinder, your bodybuilding.

Just make sure you have your priorities straight.

God wants Christians in all walks of life. You could possibly be a good witness at the gym!

 

[MaxR1996]

What springs to my mind is 'physical training is of some value, but Godliness is profitable in all things.' It's from Timothy 4:8.

Also, Daniel and his buddies ate only vegetables and were better off than those around them.

Fasting might help, not hinder, your bodybuilding.

Just make sure you have your priorities straight.

God wants Christians in all walks of life. You could possibly be a good witness at the gym!

Yeah that verse came to my mind as well.

Its weightlifting not bodybuilding so the goal isn't to be lean to goal is to be as strong as possible so fasting would unfortunately definitely hinder my progress.

God always come first, but my biggest passion is weightlifting.

 

[JenniferChristian]

Yeah that verse came to my mind as well.

Its weightlifting not bodybuilding so the goal isn't to be lean to goal is to be as strong as possible so fasting would unfortunately definitely hinder my progress.

God always come first, but my biggest passion is weightlifting.

You are asking strangers who know nothing about you.
Have you asked God? Since God is your Lord, shouldn't you ask for His opinion?
If you read the Bible and talk to God daily and put this question to Him----and decide that you will surely obey Him whenever you are sure of His reply, I am sure He will answer you, probably with a small still voice in your deep heart. God likes to get involved in your daily life.
I hope you will experience God daily. That is what will keep your passion burning for God for decades down the road. Many young people burn for God for a little while and then they grow cold because they don't expereince God daily as a living speaking God.

 

[MaxR1996]

I'm really struggling with this conflict.

If I have 1 passion in this world its weightlifting, but its impossible to progress without eating pretty large amounts of food. I don't do it cause I like eating, but its like fuel to help your body grow muscle and get stronger.

Going back and forth between eating a lot and fasting, which I'm doing, doesn't help me get closer to god or get better at weightlifting.

I wish I could do both, just eat a decent amount of food, weightlift, and be a man of god.

Theres lots of devote Christians who do both. If anyones curious look up Dan Green. Hes a pretty devote Christian, and is also a world record holding powerlifter. ( some others are Brantley Thorton and Ray Williams


At the same time I feel like god doesn't really value physical strength very much, like someone said "physical training is of SOME value"

I don't know the exact quote but its something like to be out of the flesh is to be close to god.

Is focusing on a physical pursuit being "In the flesh?"

I can't imagine god wants me to fast for the rest of my life ( not literally but like 3-5 days a week ), but weightlifting for the glory of god is something I can see doing for the rest of my life.


Weightlifting for a me is like a metaphor for angry I am at the fallen world, how much I love god and jesus, and how much i dislike the very present evil that exists in the high powers of authority.

Its measurable, honest, and requires every last bit of my effort.


What makes me second guess it I genuinely believe we are living VERY close to the end times, and soon the world will be too chaotic to focus on an ambition like weightlifting.

I don't want to die in my sin, if that sin is my eating.

Part of me feels like if theres this much conflict maybe god is telling me not to eat, but am I supposed to do nothing with my life? Weightlifting is my only passion.

 

[JenniferChristian]

Max, what are your reasons/motives for weightlifting?

Do you want to look strong with beautiful muscles so as to earn admiration from yourself and other people?

If no one is there is cheer you when you earn weightlifting championship, will you still train so hard?

Do you want to prove that you can be someone and weightlifting appears a way of reaching that goal?

Do you know that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are commissioned to take good care of our body? Too much muscle is not healthy for a human body.

"Weightlifting for a me is like a metaphor for angry I am at the fallen world, how much I love god and jesus, and how much i dislike the very present evil that exists in the high powers of authority. "

Can you find any words in the Bible that approve of your expression your anger at the evil in the world and your love for God by doing much weightlifting?

The Bible does teach us how we are to express our love for God. Much teaching on this subject. You need to read the New Testament to become familiar with God's instructiosn. To decide for yourself how to express your love for God, without following the Bible's instruction, is respecting yourself as God. This is the root of sin and the origin of all sins.

A good place to start is to read the 4 Gospels. The Gospel of John especially records Jesus' teaching on how to express our love for Jesus and for God.

 

[GregoryTheNonTheologian]

This has been a constant struggle for me for the past few months.

Ever since I've been saved I've felt called to fast, but only have committed to 1, 2, or 3 day fasts.

I just feel so much heavier and less spiritual when i eat large amounts of food.

The reason this is so conflicting is because my biggest passion in life ( other than god, jesus, family, and friends ), is Weightliftng.

Weightlifting requires a lot of calories to progress.

So i can't really fast and weightlift at the same time.

Sometimes I question is weightlifting is something god even wants me to do.

I doubt he values physical strength very much.

Jesus wasn't Jesus for his physical strength but for his spiritual strength, along with everything else.

That leads to me to think that If I want to truly follow Jesus I should prioritize a spiritual journey over a physical one.

At the same time I feel this is my only chance at being great at something and being remembered for something. I have pretty decent potential as a weightlifter and could take it pretty far if I gain enough weight, I just feel maybe it is gluttony to eat so much.

I'm really conflicted between the two. A spiritual journey vs A physical journey.

Part of me says "Just pursue weighlifting for the 2-3 years, reach your goals, and then pursue your spiritual journey and do fasting periods for the rest of your life". But at the same time I never know when I'll die and I feel If I were to die now I would be "dying in my sin" of Gluttony.

Whenever I get off track, I remember how serious this world we're living in is.

We are fighting a spiritual battle.

We are a vessel to be filled with God or Satan.

Sometimes I wonder how I can even consider a selfish ambition or passion to be more important than fasting for god, I mean if theres a chance I can go to heaven I should take it, even if that means giving everything else up including my passion.

So I'm looking for guidance.

A lot of people tell me to find a middle ground and "you're taking this Jesus thing too seriously" but I want to pursue it to the end, and part of me feels like being a big jacked weightlifter isn't very Jesus like.

You might look to Kakhi Kakhiashvili as an example. He is a three-time Olympic weightlifting champion and a devout Orthodox Christian. As a devout Orthodox Christian, he would fast almost every Wednesday and Friday, as well as 40 days before Christmas and 40 days before Easter, as well as certain other days every year.

http://www.chidlovski.net/liftup/a_kakhiashvili_092007.asp

 

[MaxR1996]

Max, what are your reasons/motives for weightlifting?

1. Do you want to look strong with beautiful muscles so as to earn admiration from yourself and other people?

2. If no one is there is cheer you when you earn weightlifting championship, will you still train so hard?

3 .Do you want to prove that you can be someone and weightlifting appears a way of reaching that goal?

4. Do you know that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are commissioned to take good care of our body? Too much muscle is not healthy for a human body.

"Weightlifting for a me is like a metaphor for angry I am at the fallen world, how much I love god and jesus, and how much i dislike the very present evil that exists in the high powers of authority. "

5. Can you find any words in the Bible that approve of your expression your anger at the evil in the world and your love for God by doing much weightlifting?

The Bible does teach us how we are to express our love for God. Much teaching on this subject. You need to read the New Testament to become familiar with God's instructiosn. To decide for yourself how to express your love for God, without following the Bible's instruction, is respecting yourself as God. This is the root of sin and the origin of all sins.

A good place to start is to read the 4 Gospels. The Gospel of John especially records Jesus' teaching on how to express our love for Jesus and for God.

1. No, that is not the purpose at all. The goal is to be physically strong not muscular.

2. I already train hard and no one is watching or cheering me on, so yes.

3. Yes, I want to prove myself, but I also want to glorify god. Whenever I compete I will be wearing a cross, and if I ever get interviewed I will give all glory to god, thank god, and explain that my strength comes from god.

4. Yes. Muscle is not unhealthy. The amount of muscle I obtain to have will not be to the point of being physically unhealthy. Also training at a high level requires often a very good diet which contributes to overall health

5. "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger" Ephesians 4:26. One of would have to be blind not to be in disapproval of the state of the world we are in. "Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" James 4:4. It doesn't directly say to weight lift obviously but that is my way of expression.

 

[MaxR1996]

You might look to Kakhi Kakhiashvili as an example. He is a three-time Olympic weightlifting champion and a devout Orthodox Christian. As a devout Orthodox Christian, he would fast almost every Wednesday and Friday, as well as 40 days before Christmas and 40 days before Easter, as well as certain other days every year.

http://www.chidlovski.net/liftup/a_kakhiashvili_092007.asp

Thats awesome, thanks for posting.

Yeah maybe theres a way to balance the two, both fasting and powerlifting.

 

[GregoryTheNonTheologian]

Thats awesome, thanks for posting.

Yeah maybe theres a way to balance the two, both fasting and powerlifting.

God Bless you, Brother!

I also couldn't help thinking of the story of the opening of the Book of Daniel:


In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility,youths without blemish, handsome and skilful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to serve in the king’s palace, and to teach them the letters and language of the Chaldeans.The king assigned them a daily portion of the rich food which the king ate, and of the wine which he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Misha-el, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Misha-el he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s rich food, or with the wine which he drank; therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs; and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear lest my lord the king, who appointed your food and your drink, should see that you were in poorer condition than the youths who are of your own age. So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Misha-el, and Azariah; “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s rich food be observed by you, and according to what you see deal with your servants.” So he hearkened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s rich food. So the steward took away their rich food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
(Daniel 1:1–16)

 

[JenniferChristian]

Max, the Bible very clearly tells us how to express our love for Father God and Lord Jesus.
"If you love me (Jesus), you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me." (John 14:15-24)

If you want to live in a way pleasing to God, it is very important to read the Bible (esp. the New Testament; esp. the four Gospels; esp. Lord Jesus' words in the four Gospels) daily and diligently to get to know God's commandments. God wants to be our God in our everyday life decisions. Adam and Eve sinned because they wanted to decide for themselves what was good and what was evil. They wanted to be their own god.

 

[MaxR1996]

Max, the Bible very clearly tells us how to express our love for Father God and Lord Jesus.
"If you love me (Jesus), you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me." (John 14:15-24)

If you want to live in a way pleasing to God, it is very important to read the Bible (esp. the New Testament; esp. the four Gospels; esp. Lord Jesus' words in the four Gospels) daily and diligently to get to know God's commandments. God wants to be our God in our everyday life decisions. Adam and Eve sinned because they wanted to decide for themselves what was good and what was evil. They wanted to be their own god.

I am familiar with the Ten Commandments and follow all of them to my understanding.

I am currently reading the Gospel of Matthew.



I guess my question is, is it a sin to live life with a passion? Like Weightlifting?
And to do everything it takes to be the best?

Would it be qualified as "selfish ambition" ?

I feel like might as well do something and be passionate about something for the short time we're on this planet. But when I get to into it I realize that we are going to die, and we can't keep anything on this planet, the only thing we keep is our relationship with god and the treasures we have in heaven.

So is it a waste to commit to something I can't keep ?

I want to DO something on the planet, while I'm here, but should I separate myself from the world so much that I do not participate in it and try to be good at something ?

There are many athletes, football players, basketball players, musicians who give glory to god and are Christians, but are they inherently sinning for focusing so much on an ambition ?

God must of made some people to be Weightlifters, Athlete, Artists, musicians.

Another thing is, it takes God's spirit and strength to lift the amount of weights I strive to lift, and in the future I will be largely relying on god to give me the strength to lift the amount of weight I want to lift.

I've never been so passionate about anything on this earth, on than God and Jesus, than as Weightlifting, and God knows the effort I put into it, so maybe he put it in my life for a reason.

I'm at a decent level, but it will take a much larger commitment from me to make it to a higher level. I wonder if by doing that I will be taking away effort and time spent towards God.

I just feel like with all the prophetic events happening and all the awful things in the world, its too small minded to just focus on my own little ambition.

 

[Deidre32]

I do cross fit, and run and workout fasted sometimes, it seems to work out. God will see you through all of your endeavors if your heart is in the right place, and it seems like it is.

 

[JenniferChristian]

Max, Only God could give you conviction as to whether you are putting too much time/energy into weightlifting.
God does not require us to be perfect in our acts in one day. He does require us to seek His will regarding our life with all our heart and mind. As we mature as a Christian, we adjust our actions.
Keep wrestle with you question before God. It is useful to consult others' opinions, but eventually the sure answer has to come from God.
Spending much time in reading, even memorizing, the New Testament verses is vitally important. God gives us the Bible to lead us to Him.

I think the most important thing is to know how much God loves us. I mean truly knowing in our heart. God's love is the ultimate motivator for us to live for God with all our heart/passion. The more we experience God's love for us, the more we love God. It is very easy for a lover to give all his energy/time /passion to the object of his love.

I used to be passionate about literature before I was saved. I still love literature. But I am only passionate about God and serving Him and saving souls and building the Church now. It took/takes time for me to grow in my love for God and His concerns, though.

Mike Bickle's sermons on God's love has been very helpful to me. Here is the website for his free on-line sermons. The "Intimacy with God" category has many wonderful video sermons on God's love for us.

http://mikebickle.org/resources/series/


In 1999, Bickle left a mega-church that he was pastoring in order to start the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO. IHOP-KC is most well-known for its daily prayer meetings based on its "harp and bowl" worship model that are held 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year since September 19, 1999.The ministry currently consists of approximately 2,500 full-time staff members, students, and interns.

Bickle teaches extensively on prayer, God's spiritual purposes for Israel, Christian eschatology, and the love of God.

Bickle's ministry has been endorsed by several American Evangelical leaders, including Dr. Jack W. Hayford, Bill Bright, Loren Cunningham, Francis Chan, Jack Deere, and C. Peter Wagner.

 

[BGunk]

Max , this is my first time on here and i know your original post is about a year old but i just wanted to say that you are one cool dude.