14 Aug Physical Fitness for God’s Ministry: Honoring God with Our Bodies

Our bodies are a precious gift from God, and the Bible teaches us that they are His holy temples. As it is written in 1 Cor 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” Since our bodies belong to God, we must take care of them, keep them pure, and maintain their health so that we can serve Him effectively. Just as we keep our homes clean and tidy for comfortable living, we must also keep our bodies clean and pure, ensuring that the Holy Spirit dwells within us. When we take care of the body that God has given us, it shows how much we love and respect Him.

Our Physical Composition: The Bible says we are wonderfully and fearfully made. Let us see some examples: the human brain has about 86 billion neurons, it generates around 12-25 watts of electricity —enough to power up a small light bulb. The brain does not feel pain because it has no pain receptors and it is about 73% water, and even slight dehydration can affect the cognitive function. Babies are born with about 300 bones, but adults have 206 due to fusion. The strongest muscle (by weight) is the masseter (jaw muscle), capable of exerting 200 lbs (90.7 kg) of force. The human hand has 27 bones and over 30 muscles. Our heart beats about 100,000 times per day and pumps around 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters) of blood daily. The total length of all blood vessels in the human body is around 60,000 miles (96,560 km) — enough to circle the Earth twice. our stomach gets a new lining every 3-4 days to prevent it from digesting itself. The small intestine is about 22 feet (6.7 meters) long — much longer than the large intestine. The liver performs over 500 functions, including detoxification, protein production, and digestion. Human skin is the largest organ, making up about 16% of your total body weight. we shed about 40,000 dead skin cells every minute. No two people (even identical twins) have the same fingerprint or tongue print. The pattern in your iris is more unique than a fingerprint, making it a powerful biometric identifier. While 99.9% of human DNA is the same, the 0.1% variation creates endless diversity in traits and much more.

1. Safeguarding our Body:
God has entrusted us with such an amazing physical body, and we must protect it from harmful habits, such as:

a. Addictions: Any form of substance abuse, including smoking, alcohol, or drug addiction, harms our bodies. Since our bodies belong to God, we should not pollute them with such habits.

b. Physical Harm: Engaging in activities that weaken or damage our bodies must be avoided.

c. Unnecessary Body Modifications: Many people get tattoos, body modifications, or even undergo gender alterations, which go against God’s original design. The Bible clearly states in Gen 1:27 that God created us in His image, male and female. Altering our God-given identity is against His divine plan.

d. Unhealthy craving: In today’s time, so many food stalls, restaurants and hotels are selling a variety of cuisines and items which may not be required by the body. We often get tempted and eat unnecessary food items leading to over eating which will eventually put us in a danger of getting serious diseases. We must eat to fuel our bodies, not use it as a dustbin, we shouldn’t put everything in our stomach.

We must not misuse or destroy our bodies, as it is written in 1 Cor 3:17, “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”

2. Personal Wellness:
To serve God effectively, we must be both spiritually and physically strong. If we are weak, we may struggle to pray, worship, help others, or perform church activities and ministry entrusted to us as individuals. Maintaining good health allows us to fulfill God’s work with energy and enthusiasm. Good habits for Physical Fitness to serve God can be:

a. Regular Exercise for Strength and Stamina: Daily physical activity is essential to maintain good health and energy levels. Jesus Himself travelled extensively, carried the heavy cross, and endured hardships, showing the importance of physical endurance. Likewise, biblical warriors like David and Samson were physically strong, which enabled them to accomplish great tasks for God. To stay physically fit for ministry, we should engage in: walking, jogging, cycling, or gym workouts to keep our body active. Stretching, flexibility and strength training to keep our muscles and joints strong, enabling us to perform ministry work effectively.

b. Maintaining a Healthy Diet: A well-balanced diet is crucial for sustaining energy and strength. We should consume fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins to nourish our bodies. Plenty of water to keep our bodies hydrated. Avoid excessive sugar and processed foods to prevent weight gain and health issues. By maintaining a healthy diet, we can keep our bodies strong and ready for God’s work.

c. Discipline and Self-Control in Life: Along with physical health, discipline and self-control are essential for our spiritual fitness. Jesus set an example by waking up early every morning to pray and maintained a disciplined life. We should follow His example by:

• Waking up early for prayer and devotion.
• Being punctual and responsible in our daily tasks.
• Making time for God’s work and church activities.
• Following a structured daily routine from morning to night.

Additionally, we must have self-control and avoid sinful behaviors such as: stealing, adultery, and gossiping; speaking carelessly or with anger; engaging in negativity and criticism. Living a disciplined life helps us stay focused on God’s purposes and keeps us away from habits that can harm us spiritually and physically.

Conclusion: We must Honour God through a holy and healthy life. Our bodies are a sacred gift from God, and it is our responsibility to take care of it. By maintaining physical fitness, eating well, staying disciplined, and avoiding harmful habits, we can serve God wholeheartedly. A holy and healthy life glorifies God and allows us to be effective disciples of Christ. Let us fulfill His purpose with strength, energy, and dedication.

Sameet Singh is a body builder and a gym coach by profession. Accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour through UESI in 2017. He has been serving as a Treasurer, J&K -EGF since 2020. He is married to Arti Dogra, serving as Graduate Inc. for Jammu Region. They are blessed with a son – Izhaq S Benjamin.