Is bodybuilding allowed for Christians ?

[Chinchilla]

We aren't told in this list of things if bodybuilding is of Flesh or of Spirit .
Do we gain more control of our obese bodies by getting fit or we should not be fit like strongmen with 6 packs because it would be gloryfing our bodies and not Spirit ? Do we crucify flesh daily by working it or do we not crucify the flesh by making it look like god so other people lust after it ?

Where to draw the lane ?
I looked through multiple youtube videos about training ect. and most of the people seem to be full of pride about thier bodies and doing literally everything to keep the shape , looks to me like they are worshipping thier bodies and clearly I would not want to become one.


Galatians 5:16-26 King James Version (KJV)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 

[Valetic]

1 Timothy 4:8 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

 

[Chinchilla]

1 Timothy 4:8 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

Paul is comparing here the strenght of body which pass away compared to the godliness which can't because it's eternal .
Likewise he compares the flesh to one running race for temporary glory and believers who run race for eternal glory .

That's not the answer to the bodybuilding tho , I know that bible call people fat and it's not good thing when it does so .

 

[Valetic]

Paul is comparing here the strenght of body which pass away compared to the godliness which can't because it's eternal .
Likewise he compares the flesh to one running race for temporary glory and believers who run race for eternal glory .

That's not the answer to the bodybuilding tho , I know that bible call people fat and it's not good thing when it does so .

What kind of body do you want and why?

 

[Chinchilla]

What kind of body do you want and why?

What every male wants a Tarzan body , but it's more important what God wants .

 

[Valetic]

What every male wants a Tarzan body , but it's more important what God wants .

I see. Let's talk about hobbies. Is it okay to have them? Even hobbies we do not use to glorify God with but still take interest in? Let's use for example painting, playing a guitar, crafting things out of wood, collecting things, etc.

 

[Chinchilla]

I see. Let's talk about hobbies. Is it okay to have them? Even hobbies we do not use to glorify God with but still take interest in? Let's use for example painting, playing a guitar, crafting things out of wood, collecting things, etc.

You see you can use your music skills to play either for church or for rock band but I don't see way to justify Tarzan body with some useful thing for God and it looks like it's only purpose would be for wordly things like fame , lust or pride .

 

[Valetic]

You see you can use your music skills to play either for church or for rock band but I don't see way to justify Tarzan body with some useful thing for God and it looks like it's only purpose would be for wordly things like shame , lust or pride .

My point is leaving out the glorifying God part. You just love crafting things out of wood. Tables, shelves, benches, whistles, etc. Is that wrong?

Edit: or even like a sport activity, like surfing.

 

[Chinchilla]

My point is leaving out the glorifying God part. You just love crafting things out of wood. Tables, shelves, benches, whistles, etc. Is that wrong?

No, it's what most likelly Jesus did .
I have no problem with hobbies .

 

[Valetic]

No, it's what most likelly Jesus did .
I have no problem with hobbies .

What if I said I just body build as a hobby because I like doing it, and I like being good at it and seeing the results from it? Is that okay?

Like carving things out of wood I became progressively better at it over time and my products have become increasingly masterful. You can now see the fruit of my labor, which is my knowledge and skill, evident in the product.

Which you could compare also to body building. Overtime I built techniques and dietary habits that I got better at that produced better results over time and I was able to fine tune those things to get the desired results.

 

[ReesePiece23]

but I don't see way to justify Tarzan body with some useful thing for God and it looks like it's only purpose would be for wordly things like fame , lust or pride .

God created the human body to grow, adapt, change, improve and heal. Training does all of those things. If you can look past the cosmetic aspect and start focusing on the bigger picture and actually respecting what God gave you, the answer soon becomes answer - fulfil the body's potential and don't abuse it. Test it, overload it, but don't abuse it.

It's the exact same thing with both spiritual and emotional development.

 

[Chinchilla]

What if I said I just body build as a hobby because I like doing it, and I like being good at it and seeing the results from it? Is that okay?

Harder to tell , one can clearly see somebody crafting table and somebody crafting Idol from wood.

If we were living in old times , training for strenght would be nice because
a) protection in case of war
b) lifting up heavy stuff

But in modern times it cannot be used as an excuse because of guns and machines which do most of the work , having 6 pack makes women lust after you instead of it being usefull to carry something.

I don't argue that being in good , average shape is bad thing or that having habits to maintain it is bad but I think bodybuilding Tarzan body would be overdoing it .

 

[Valetic]

Harder to tell , one can clearly see somebody crafting table and somebody crafting Idol from wood.

If we were living in old times , training for strenght would be nice because
a) protection in case of war
b) lifting up heavy stuff

But in modern times it cannot be used as an excuse because of guns and machines which do most of the work , having 6 pack makes women lust after you instead of it being usefull to carry something.

I don't argue that being in good , average shape is bad thing or that having habits to maintain it is bad but I think bodybuilding Tarzan body would be overdoing it .

So now I must ask this. Can you have 6 pack abs and a nice body thanks to body building and be right with God even though you do those things and are satisfied with the results?

 

[dreadnought]

We aren't told in this list of things if bodybuilding is of Flesh or of Spirit .
Do we gain more control of our obese bodies by getting fit or we should not be fit like strongmen with 6 packs because it would be gloryfing our bodies and not Spirit ? Do we crucify flesh daily by working it or do we not crucify the flesh by making it look like god so other people lust after it ?

Where to draw the lane ?
I looked through multiple youtube videos about training ect. and most of the people seem to be full of pride about thier bodies and doing literally everything to keep the shape , looks to me like they are worshipping thier bodies and clearly I would not want to become one.


Galatians 5:16-26 King James Version (KJV)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

We all want to stay in shape. I think body building is a waste of time and energy, though.

 

[AvgJoe]

We aren't told in this list of things if bodybuilding is of Flesh or of Spirit .
Do we gain more control of our obese bodies by getting fit or we should not be fit like strongmen with 6 packs because it would be gloryfing our bodies and not Spirit ? Do we crucify flesh daily by working it or do we not crucify the flesh by making it look like god so other people lust after it ?

Where to draw the lane ?
I looked through multiple youtube videos about training ect. and most of the people seem to be full of pride about thier bodies and doing literally everything to keep the shape , looks to me like they are worshipping thier bodies and clearly I would not want to become one.


Galatians 5:16-26 King James Version (KJV)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Question: "How should a Christian view bodybuilding / weightlifting?"

Answer: Moderation is perhaps the governing concept for a Christian view of bodybuilding/weightlifting. First Timothy 4:8 teaches, “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” (emphasis added). Physical fitness is important, and as this verse states, it does have some value. We are physical and spiritual beings, and the condition of the physical body undeniably can impact the spirituality of a person. Surely part of “glorifying God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20) is keeping it in reasonably good physical condition. Bodybuilding can definitely be a part of a Christian’s physical fitness program.

At the same time, as with many things in this life, bodybuilding, if taken to the extreme, can become an idol. Eventually, a point is reached where there is no true value in adding more muscle. Bodybuilding/weightlifting can become an addiction and/or obsession. While this is much more often an issue with men, it can be an issue for women as well. Striving for bigger and stronger muscles, taken to the extreme, is nothing but vanity (1 Samuel 16:7; Ecclesiastes 1:2; 1 Peter 3:4). Once we allow our physical appearance to become more important than our relationship with God, it has become an idol (1 John 5:21).

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The key question is does bodybuilding/weightlifting glorify God? If it is done to increase fitness, strength, and tone, and thereby health, yes, it can be done for God’s glory. If it is done out of vanity and pride, or from an unhealthy obsession with getting bigger and stronger, no, it does not glorify God. How should a Christian view bodybuilding? “‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial. “‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything. . . . ‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is constructive” (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23).

www.gotquestions.org/Christian-bodybuilding.html

 

[FireDragon76]

Bodybuilding can result in serious injuries. It's not necessarily the same as "being in shape".

 

[Doug Melven]

You see you can use your music skills to play either for church or for rock band but I don't see way to justify Tarzan body with some useful thing for God and it looks like it's only purpose would be for wordly things like fame , lust or pride .

I saw a show once where there were bodybuilders and acrobats and people doing sleight of hand.
They used there various talents to present the Gospel in a show.

I know people who truly enjoy running long distance, and they use the time to commune with God.

God has given us all things to enjoy. It is when we begin to idolize those things that God has a problem with those things having us.
There is no need to get vain like some bodybuilders do.
If you see them on YT, you are only going to see the vain ones. The ones who aren't vain aren't putting themselves on YT for all to see.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

My daughter qualified as a gym trainer, and got me into joining a crossfit gym. I did that for two and a half years until the gym closed down. During that time she got me into powerlifting, and I did two competitions (at the 60-65yr old grade, Masters 2). That gave me a great sense of achievement. After the crossfit gym closed, I joined another gym and am getting training once a week just to keep things rolling along, and I do two other self sessions on two other days of the week. This has increased my strength and fitness, and as a 70 year old I can see the benefits of it. I can't do what the "Greek gods" can do, but I can do what I can do without injuring myself. If it keeps me alive and healthy for a few more years, then I fully believe that God is quite happy about it. Also, because my daughter and I have the common interest it has greatly strengthened the father-daughter bond between us, and that has to be a good thing!

 

[RaymondG]

Never heard of a doctrine against going to the gym often. I say lift all the weights you want to lift....But work on the inward man just as much or more than you work on the outward.

 

[Sketcher]

I'd say get fit rather than ridiculous.