I want to do exercise but I don't want to be a stumbling block...

[M Hart]

Hi,
I'm a guy and I have always struggled with this concept.
It's hard to understand what exactly could prove to be a stumbling block to sisters.
As a result I don't know where to draw the line?
Is it damaging to exercise and gain some muscle bulk in the process??
Which muscle groups prove to be the most 'stumbling'.
Is simply wearing clothing that covers my muscle sufficient?? (Honest answer)
And lastly to what extent could i grow in my physique before it becomes a stumbling block? (If this is even the right way to look at this problem)
Thanks in advance guys!

 

[JAM2b]

Women are responsible for their own hearts, minds, and choices. Being healthy and looking good is not a sin, and should not cause other's to sin. You can't hide the fact you have a male body or change the fact that some women will find it attractive no matter what shape it is in.

If we were talking about doing something that is harmful or sinful for others in front of them, then that would be creating a stumbling block. Simply changing the look of your body is not.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Hi,
I'm a guy and I have always struggled with this concept.
It's hard to understand what exactly could prove to be a stumbling block to sisters.
As a result I don't know where to draw the line?
Is it damaging to exercise and gain some muscle bulk in the process??
Which muscle groups prove to be the most 'stumbling'.
Is simply wearing clothing that covers my muscle sufficient?? (Honest answer)
And lastly to what extent could i grow in my physique before it becomes a stumbling block? (If this is even the right way to look at this problem)
Thanks in advance guys!

Haha and I remember just the opposite --somebody claiming they show off their physique to the Glory of God! One such was a "born again" stripper!!

 

[JacobKStarkey]

A person has every right to exercise for a healthy body and soul and mind.

Leave the sisters the responsibility for how they think and respond to such things.

 

[M Hart]

Thanks for the reply guys!
But I still think that it would still be most loving to make it easier for our sisters, by not overtly showing our physique!
Still would like to see what a sister would have to say in regards to this thread.
But again, thanks fellas.

 

[JacobKStarkey]

Sisters are not responsible for brothers' reactions to whatever.

Only brothers are responsible.

 

[Take Heart]

There is nothing wrong with excercising and gaining muscle/bulk. God sees your heart and intentions. By all means get in shape for the purpose of being physically fit and able to do your job, to avoid potential health issues down the road, to avoid health issue-related expenses, etc. As long as your reason/purpose in getting fit is right then i see no problem. God made men (and women) with the ability to grow muscle and have a healthy heart.
God bless

Edit: It is very noble of you to want to protect your sisters' heart. Wearing a shirt (as opposed to a tank/muscle shirt) to cover is fine if you feel strongly led to do so. But ultimately it is the sisters' responsibility to guard their own heart.

 

[Dave L]

I focus on the health benefits and don't worry about how bulky I get.

 

[HTacianas]

Hi,
I'm a guy and I have always struggled with this concept.
It's hard to understand what exactly could prove to be a stumbling block to sisters.
As a result I don't know where to draw the line?
Is it damaging to exercise and gain some muscle bulk in the process??
Which muscle groups prove to be the most 'stumbling'.
Is simply wearing clothing that covers my muscle sufficient?? (Honest answer)
And lastly to what extent could i grow in my physique before it becomes a stumbling block? (If this is even the right way to look at this problem)
Thanks in advance guys!

Being physically fit shouldn't be a problem, but the manner of dress for a man is found in the Didascalia. It reads in part:

"She in truth was struck in her heart because thou
art a youth, beautiful and good, and thou didst adorn thyself and make
her desire thee. And thou art found guilty, that she hath sinned in regard
to thee ; for because of thine adornment it hath thus happened to her.
But seek from the Lord God, that no sin may be written against thee
on her account. If thou wishest to please God, and not men, and hopest
for life and everlasting rest, do not adorn the beauty of thy nature
which hath been given to thee by God, but with the humility of neglect,
make it poor before man. Thus again also let not the hair of thy head
grow, nor comb it nor dress it ; but shave it, and anoint it not, that it
may not attract to thee such women as snare or are snared by lust.
Also wear no beautiful garments nor even put on shoes of lustful and
contemptible workmanship, nor set signet-rings encased in gold upon thy
fingers, because that all these things are works of harlotry, and everything
that thou doest which is beyond nature. For to thee, a man who believes
in God, it is not allowed to let the hair on thy head grow, to comb it and
make it even, which is this voluptuousness of desire, and thou must
not put it in order and dress it, nor arrange it so as to be beautiful..."

 

[Artra]

Hi,
I'm a guy and I have always struggled with this concept.
It's hard to understand what exactly could prove to be a stumbling block to sisters.
As a result I don't know where to draw the line?
Is it damaging to exercise and gain some muscle bulk in the process??
Which muscle groups prove to be the most 'stumbling'.
Is simply wearing clothing that covers my muscle sufficient?? (Honest answer)
And lastly to what extent could i grow in my physique before it becomes a stumbling block? (If this is even the right way to look at this problem)
Thanks in advance guys!

Never let other people's sins discourage a good thing. Muscle bulk is valuable for more than show, and you shouldn't be hesitant to look your best serving the Lord because of the possibility of the lust of our neighbors. Fitness might be a stumbling block for sinners, but it would also make your spouse or future spouse and your friends happy that you are staying healthy, because they admire your heart, not your flesh.

Vanity is probably the biggest concern there (and I notice it can slowly start to drive me away from why I set out to exercise) Don't forget why you wish to be fit; admiring your improvements can easily become warped into admiring yourself if you're not careful. That is what could become a stumbling block to others.

I hope your fitness plan goes well!

 

[Artra]

There's also something I've noticed from exercising that I'm not sure whether or not is Scriptural (so take this with a grain of salt): any form of extreme stress leaves you more susceptible to sinful temptations, and from what I've gathered that includes the stress on your body from exercise. Your flesh becomes even more weak than it already is for a time. It's why I've found it's important to keep a target heart rate and to stay hydrated; if you start to feel miserable or weary from an intense work-out that could lead to irritation and that could hurt others afterwards.

Basically remember to pace yourself and give your body time to rest.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

you don't have to have a 6-pack in order to have a healthy diet and be at a healthy weight. if you're exercising for vanity's sake that's not the best motivation. if you're doing it for the purpose of health then it's a great idea.

you'll need to be honest with yourself about your motivations. you don't need a 6-pack to attract women.

 

[ChristianGirl_96]

Have you joined a local gym or not? Last year I became a member of my local leisure centre. At least once a week I go there to workout. It helps me clear my mind and stay healthy too. For the first six months post pregnancy I relied on a exercise ball instead. I used to exercise in my living room with a exercise DVD for pregnant women. Sometimes if I feel like doing so I lift weights. And use the mats as well. My local gym has exercise classes for people.

 

[JAM2b]

I'm a sister and had replied first.

If you feel uncomfortable letting your physique be revealed to women, then keep your shirt on and don't wear tight clothing. If it doesnt bother you then do as you wish. It's not a complicated matter, and I really don't think it applies to causing another to stumble.

 

[Andrew77]

Hi,
I'm a guy and I have always struggled with this concept.
It's hard to understand what exactly could prove to be a stumbling block to sisters.
As a result I don't know where to draw the line?
Is it damaging to exercise and gain some muscle bulk in the process??
Which muscle groups prove to be the most 'stumbling'.
Is simply wearing clothing that covers my muscle sufficient?? (Honest answer)
And lastly to what extent could i grow in my physique before it becomes a stumbling block? (If this is even the right way to look at this problem)
Thanks in advance guys!

Unless you intend to walk around in a speedo, just dress modestly like all people should, and the rest is on the other person.

There is nothing wrong with looking good, and staying in shape, or being healthy.

You are not responsible for the thoughts of other people.

Being a stumbling block, is more about confusing people on Christian doctrine. Like being involved in witchcraft or something.

There is no sect of Christianity that i know of, where working out and staying in shape is considered anti-biblical.

So no one is going to see you jogging, and suddenly become a pagan.

Just dress properly, as a man should, and you are fine.

 

[Sketcher]

Let's pretend for a moment that how women look at you was guaranteed to not be a problem. Why then would you want to get bigger, and how much bigger would you want to get? How would this change the way you dress and present your body?

There's still a dimension to immodesty regardless of what the opposite sex thinks of us, which is why I bring this up. If you have it, you have to deal with it. If you do, that will take you a long way towards doing right by women when it comes to presenting your body in public.

 

[Joined2krist]

If you're afraid that you'll tempt women in the process, then don't build your muscle. You can do exercises that will keep you fit without building your muscle

 

[nanookadenord]

As someone else has said, women find all kinds of bodies attractive. My girlfriend likes what she lovingly calls my dad body. She's attracted to it.

So, there is.no clear cut one size fits all answer for this.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hi,
I'm a guy and I have always struggled with this concept.
It's hard to understand what exactly could prove to be a stumbling block to sisters.
As a result I don't know where to draw the line?
Is it damaging to exercise and gain some muscle bulk in the process??
Which muscle groups prove to be the most 'stumbling'.
Is simply wearing clothing that covers my muscle sufficient?? (Honest answer)
And lastly to what extent could i grow in my physique before it becomes a stumbling block? (If this is even the right way to look at this problem)
Thanks in advance guys!

The bible tells us that "God will never allow a person to be tempted beyond what they can bear, He will make a way of escape in the situation". Building muscle is not going to cause anyone to sin. It is good to be fit and healthy. Build your strength both physically and spiritually.

 

[Dave-W]

Don't be so paranoid.