Is there a connection between our spiritual fitness and our physical fitness? Why do many Christians(including myself) often devalue physical discipline? Every major Eastern Religion connects spiritual discipline with physical discipline. This is true in Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism. But, when it comes to Christianity we don’t connect the two. Christians that do value both physical and spiritual discipline usually don’t connect the two. Now, I’m not suggesting that we should come up with our own physical exercise system akin to Yoga, Aikido, or Shaolin Kung Fu. I can see it now, it would probably have some cheesy Christian name like “BibleThighzer” or “BodiCor619X” (after 1 Cor 6:19). No…please NO!
Paul said this in 1 Timothy 4:8…
“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”
Some Christians will use this verse as their excuse for devaluing physical discipline. But Paul is actually acknowleding the value of physical discipline, not devaluing it. He’s not devaluing physical discipline, but rather increasing the value of Godliness. Christianity in the West is good at compartmentalizing everything that we do. So it makes sense that there would be a disconnect between spiritual and physical discipline.
But, I wonder what would happen if we started to connect the two. What if we started to look at our physical discipline as a form of worship? What if we started to ask God to give us a spirit of discipline in all areas of life? I wonder how we would see life differently as we find the connection between the spiritual and physical.
I actually connected my spiritual discipline to my eating discipline, and actually lost weight! There is value in doing what you suggest. I'm up for BodiCor619!
Thanks @thebigq ! I'd love to hear how you connected the two…thanks for the comment bro.
Wow! This kicked my butt this morning. My husband and I are church planters in Auburn, Alabama. We are middle-aged (well, actually, if YOU are middle-aged, we are a few years beyond the middle). Actually, it seems that we have a LOT in common. We have both been thinking the same as you for quite some time now.
We even purchased the P90X program and did it the first 30 days, that is. Then after that, well, not so much.
However, we definitely see the connection between the physical and spiritual training, so maybe it's about time we begin the program again.
It's a Sunday morning, my church planter husband has already left to prepare for the morning at our church and I find you while reading my daily Bible reading.
Thank you for your honesty and insight.
Keep fighting the fight.
Perhaps we'll both drop those 25 or so lbs.
Hi Sonja,
I'm glad that this post motivated you. We've stuck to the nutrition program pretty closely, but we have a hard time carving out the 1 hour every day for the exercise program. We usually hit 2-3 days/week which is better than we were before. I've dropped 13 lbs. so far, still have another 12lbs. to go.
I'd love to hear more about your church plant in Auburn! Thanks for checking out my blog!