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How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/7/2010 5:11:27 PM
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furace
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Dear readers,
I was just pondering how getting fit, more or less, losing weight, getting cut/buff/ripped contribute into giving glory to God?
Must Christians really get buff? Does that look good on us and for what purpose?
I just can't think of anything else besides the opinion that the motive would be regarded as selfish, or for self personal gain.
Is this what Jesus would do?
Please note that I do like exercising and want to get ripped, but I want to know what an acceptable motive would be and what vision I should have regarding this topic.
Please respond at your earliest convenience.
Thanks.
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/7/2010 5:47:37 PM
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Walker311
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An education makes the brain buff, right?
Being a Christian can make the soul buff, right?
Taking care of our bodies, which we only have borrowed, can glorify God in making every effort to care for it in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
What others see in us should be a reflection of Christ and it begins with our appearance. However, if we go overboard and are obsessive, we are attempting to glorify ourselves.
We need to be wise and use common sense.
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/7/2010 9:42:30 PM
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his_chosen
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Not so much in "getting buff", but working out so that I can race. Racing (running and triathlon) puts me with others who might not be Christains. Yes, you can still be an athlete and be a Christian! I know I've posted it before, but it was a race director putting a tract in race packets that lead me back to the Lord.
_____________________________
You have a choice. You can throw in the towel or you can use it to wipe the sweat off your face.
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/7/2010 9:48:23 PM
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stellaluna
Posts: 4250
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The bible says to run. So I run.
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/7/2010 9:58:26 PM
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rgod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: furace
Dear readers,
I was just pondering how getting fit, more or less, losing weight, getting cut/buff/ripped contribute into giving glory to God?
Must Christians really get buff? Does that look good on us and for what purpose?
I just can't think of anything else besides the opinion that the motive would be regarded as selfish, or for self personal gain.
Is this what Jesus would do?
Please note that I do like exercising and want to get ripped, but I want to know what an acceptable motive would be and what vision I should have regarding this topic.
Please respond at your earliest convenience.
Thanks.
Well, the healthier you are, the higher the probability that you will be able to live and remain active longer - and thus, work for the Lord longer. Also, people often respond differently to people who are in good shape; it can be an open door to share about Christ in some circles. Plus, it just helps us to enjoy our lives a bit more if we can do more things and feel better. God did give us this life to enjoy as well.
_____________________________
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken - Oscar Wilde
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/9/2010 3:13:58 PM
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uncabeeil
Posts: 5090
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Joisey. Got a problem wit dat?
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quote:
Must Christians really get buff? "Must"? No. If you want to be a fat and happy Christian there's nothing that says you can't be. The repercussions to your health may be unpleasant, but there's no "You Must be Ripped" in any of the commandments that I ever saw.
_____________________________
Remember, stressed spelled backwards is desserts.
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/19/2010 12:34:13 AM
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furace
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Hey guys,
Thanks for the responses. I didn't think it would be a great turnout so I did not check this forum ever since I posted it.
Great insights, but I haven't been able to discern a solidified answer.
Nonetheless, I have come to the conclusion of that it depends on our motive and God's revelation for us.
Exercising is good because it's beneficial for our health. However, when we start focusing on our physique for physical appeal for the opposite sex, I think that's where things go downhill. It takes away from God's glory. It looks ok for an athlete, but what about a regular gymrat? Working out to pump those muscles is not what Jesus would do.
I just haven't found a convincingly sufficient answer to this question. Having a built body to show what?
The other feasible answer I have thought of is that working to that extent can be used for other purposes such as doing labor work in the missionary field or wherever work can be done out of love.
How can I draw the line between healthy and 'muscular'?
Is it stepping into the boundary of greed? for worldly things/pleasures?
Then again, it comes to the discussion of appealing to the opposite sex.
How does that glorify God when girls wear make-up, guys dress spiffy, etc for the purpose of attracting the other sex?
**In this next reply, it would be much appreciated if I can get responses with the addition of context/excerpts of biblical quotes and interpretations.
Thanks for everything :D
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/19/2010 12:48:07 AM
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iluvatar
Posts: 3546
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quote:
How does getting buff glorify God?
Does it have to?
Does watching tv, or going for a walk, or reading a novel, or playing softball specifically "glorify God"? Do they have to? Or are we allowed to do some things just because we enjoy them?
For those things that are allowed, but not commanded, isn't it our attitudes and behaviors while we're engaged in those pursuits that glorify God (or not)?
-Dan.
_____________________________
Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/19/2010 1:06:50 AM
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richartrod
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Does getting buff glorify God?
If you are getting your body physically fit to take better care of the temple God has given you to live in, such a thing is actually a good thing. But if you're really doing it to worship your own physique, get the fist pumps and high-fives from other men, and especially the attraction of pretty women, all the while claiming you're doing it to glorify God, that becomes the sin of pride, as well as idolatry in the sense you're worshiping your own physical body, which will ultimately grow old, flabby and die.
We are to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength," but focusing only on your physical strength at the expense of everything else is out of balance and totally whacked out. And the strength refers to everything we do, not exercising or pumping iron.
Such body building for Christ is nothing new. Nearly 125 years ago in England and the USA there was a movement among Christian young men called "Muscular Christianity", which was a well-intentioned but I believe misguided attempt to be an evangelistic witness for Jesus Christ by showing good Christians are tip-top to the max in mind and body, and you can too if you accept Him as your Lord and Savior. You can read the Wikipedia article on Muscular Christianity by clicking here.
As a type 2 diabetic, I must exercise to keep my weight and blood sugar down. But anything done in extremes, including exercise, becomes an idol and the god of our lives instead of the God of the Universe.
_____________________________
If you visit Princess Tiana's restaurant in New Orleans, PLEASE don't order frogs' legs!
My website: Pandapolis.com
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/19/2010 2:03:53 PM
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HisLamb26
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quote:
Does it have to?
Does watching tv, or going for a walk, or reading a novel, or playing softball specifically "glorify God"? Do they have to? Or are we allowed to do some things just because we enjoy them?
For those things that are allowed, but not commanded, isn't it our attitudes and behaviors while we're engaged in those pursuits that glorify God (or not)?
Those were my thoughts on the matter Dan. Why does it have to? I always viewed my weight training as good for my body and mind and health-but really "neutral" from a spiritual perspective.
Does skiing glorify God? Or Tennis? Hiking? Horse Back riding? I had a problem with the premise (that getting buff either glorifies and doesn't glorify God), therefore didn't answer.
Sure we can all pull a Christian Athlete out of our sleeve.....But doesn't do much for the premise of the OP-which I view as faulty.
_____________________________
"Many women who do not dress modestly lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which increases earthquakes," Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/19/2010 10:18:02 PM
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libertarianbeliever
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How does it no glorify God? Must we super spiritualize every little thing known to man?
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/21/2010 6:53:37 PM
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QLady
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I am so glad to have found this thread. I am struggling with the same issue within me. I have gained 40 pounds in the 10 years that I've been married and would like to lose weight so that I will remain attractive to my husband.
There is so much media out there in society today that suggests that we all need to look like athletes or supermodels to be accepted. Which is not true, but the devil likes to deceive us into thinking that.
I personally feel like keeping our bodies healthy glorifies God. Using self control in our eating habits. Staying physically active, whether it be exercise or sports or other physical activities benefits our health and therefore glorifies God.
But it is truly a matter of the heart. Do I want to lose weight to look like someone else (idolizing) or do I want to lose weight to take care of this body God has given me so that I may live a longer life in his service? I struggle with this battle everyday. I see a model or actress in a magazine and wonder "will I ever have a nice body like that?" but yet I also want to be healthy and to prevent sickness/disease.
Each of us, individually, glorifies God with our heart. If I want to lose weight and tone up to look like the supermodels in the magazine, then no - that would not be glorifying God. But if I want to lose weight and tone up to live a healthier, longer life in God's service, and to satisfy my husband to keep our marriage strong, then aren't those things glorifying God? We have to consciously fight those thoughts that lure us into wanting to look like a supermodel or a movie star.
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/21/2010 7:35:31 PM
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daysong
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I don't know about getting buff. I'm sure non Christians would listen to someone who has and is taking care of their body, more so than someone that appears not so healthy.
I was 55 yrs. old before I started getting serious about eating healthy and exercising (believe me, even after 7 yrs. I'm not buff  . However, I'm rarely ill and when I have been; I've used herbal treatments and prayer to heal my body. You'd be surprised at how many of my Christain peers give me flak over using herbs, and refusing to eat unhealthy foods. I can only pray for them. The Word of God says 'we parish for lack of knowledge'. You continue to take care of the temple of God--your body.
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/21/2010 9:22:09 PM
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richartrod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: QLady
I am so glad to have found this thread. I am struggling with the same issue within me. I have gained 40 pounds in the 10 years that I've been married and would like to lose weight so that I will remain attractive to my husband.
There is so much media out there in society today that suggests that we all need to look like athletes or supermodels to be accepted. Which is not true, but the devil likes to deceive us into thinking that.
I see a model or actress in a magazine and wonder "will I ever have a nice body like that?" but yet I also want to be healthy and to prevent sickness/disease.
Each of us, individually, glorifies God with our heart. If I want to lose weight and tone up to look like the supermodels in the magazine, then no - that would not be glorifying God. But if I want to lose weight and tone up to live a healthier, longer life in God's service, and to satisfy my husband to keep our marriage strong, then aren't those things glorifying God? We have to consciously fight those thoughts that lure us into wanting to look like a supermodel or a movie star.
QLady:
Those supermodel and actress glamor pics in the magazines are not real. More often than not they have been airbrushed, manipulated or otherwise altered in Photoshop or some other photo editing software to remove stuff like birth marks, spots, sunburns, wrinkles etc. I am a graphic artist and have edited photos for optimal viewing on the web, including airbrushing faces blown up beyond the original photo size.
I also remember seeing on TV once either Pamela Anderson or some other celebrity laugh about how they digitally erased a birthmark on her leg for a swimsuit photo shoot. In a Photoshop class I took a few years ago one student took a plain looking black-haired Hispanic girl and transformed her into a toned Caucasian blonde straight out of an American Apparel ad through masks, filters and special effects. Again, none of it is real.
Any Christian woman who wants to "buff up" to look like that bikini model on the cover of Sports Illustrated must realize even the models themselves really don't look that great because of all the modern touchup work and special effects done on those pix, and are thus pursuing and idolizing a delibarate fantasy. And second, it idolizes the body God gave us instead of God himself. Remember, no matter how buff and toned we make our bodies, they will ultimately age, grow flabby, and die. I see that in my own body at age 40 as I am no longer able to physically do things that were a cinch when I was 20.
_____________________________
If you visit Princess Tiana's restaurant in New Orleans, PLEASE don't order frogs' legs!
My website: Pandapolis.com
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/23/2010 4:01:40 PM
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furace
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What a great discussion.
I'm glad that you guys are engaging this topic with great insights and rumination.
Albeit, it still feels iffy, I think I got a better grasp due to all your contributions.
Thank you so much :)
Now back to the topic,
I agree with all that you guys said and I think I misworded some questions.
I think this subject also relates to "Do I need to pray to God what to clothes to wear tomorrow?"
These things are done by our will allowed by God.
Normally, God doesn't answer those kind of questions right away because it is not of utmost importance.
Asking menial tasks like that is something we could do ourselves.
However, if we are falling into sin, Jesus will always be there to lift us up.
Glorifying God depends on your motive and what your heart seeks to do.
We need to constantly reflect on our past actions and change our habits to be more Christ-like.
So going back to the "buff" topic,
I just wanted to ask how does "getting more buff than necessary" glorify God?
If we are healthy and fit, but for some reason want to get even "buffer", is that necessary?
Are body-builders having the right motives?
What draws the line?
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/23/2010 7:17:05 PM
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HisLamb26
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quote:
So going back to the "buff" topic,
I just wanted to ask how does "getting more buff than necessary" glorify God? If we are healthy and fit, but for some reason want to get even "buffer", is that necessary?
What is "more than necessary" and who gets to define that? "More than necessary" is a subjective standard isn't it? By my personal standards-I think the roid freaks that grace the covers of Muscle Mags are definitely excessive to the point of grotesque. A well developed Natural Bodybuilder on the other hand, I personally don't find excessive. Like the statue of David-in the right proportion I think a well developed and muscular physique is quite beautiful. Watching a skilled lifter with defined muscle move weight-seeing the muscle pump and move and flex when engaged with proper form is, to me, as beautiful as a ballet.
I watched a gentleman do dead lifts tonight-A rare site in non hard core gyms-and his form was spot on. It was quite beautiful. I complimented him on a well executed lift. God designed a beautiful body-if I see that beauty in the gym, does that glorify or not glorify God? I don't know that lifters motives, and they are really none of my business. Is he trying to look hot-get healthy-get bigger muscles "than necessary" according to someone else's subjective standard??
quote:
Are body-builders having the right motives?
What draws the line?
The motives of an individual body builder are likely to be as unique as the bodybuilder. Who am I to judge? Even defining what constitutes a "body builder" can be problematic and is the subject of occasional raucous debate amongst gym rats and on body building forums. Some say only those who compete are "real" bodybuilders, while there are plenty of folks who have no design on competitive body building but follow a bodybuilding style nutrition and lifting routine, and get really fit by doing so.
I still think you are over spiritualizing the whole thing. "Bodybuilding" can be done for fitness, for weight loss, for competition, as a hobby, for vanity, to be more attractive to the opposite sex, and perhaps a combination of some or most of those things.
Perhaps the better question would be "what (or who) draws the line for you".
_____________________________
"Many women who do not dress modestly lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which increases earthquakes," Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/24/2010 12:12:37 AM
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furace
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Great insights.
Thanks for everything.
I must say that I have no further to comment.
When I do, I will post here, but probably not in the near future.
However, I will post other questions relating other topics in this forum, and hopefully all of you will be there to offer your insights in a timely fashion.
Until then, take care ~
And I will keep you all in my prayers :)
With Blessings,
Furace
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/27/2010 6:46:44 AM
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markfer
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I like to enjoy the gym as well. Sometimes, I have to be honest, I enjoy the gym for the company there. The body is the temple. Holds the Holy Spirit and provides the means as a vessel, to evangelize. I am biased because I enjoy the sweat. Just pray for God to give anything in your life that will give Him glory, and do it!
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RE: How does getting buff glorify God? - 8/29/2010 11:07:24 AM
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Pamsy
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I must say congradulations to Harvey.
Was that you, Harvey, on televison?
I saw an interview of a woman who had lost alot of weight while her husband was away in the military.
Congradulations!
_____________________________
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest... my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
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