By David Feddes


The body is meant … for the Lord, and the Lord for the body… Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Do you not know that your body is a temple 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. (1 Corinthians 6:13-20)


Why care for your body? (summary of previous talk)

  • Your body is a marvel of God’s creation.
  • Your body is linked with Jesus’ body.
  • Your body is the Holy Spirit’s temple.
  • Your body is your offering to God.
  • Your body is your gift to your spouse.
  • Your body is your equipment for action.
  • Physical fitness affects total fitness.


Main causes of death

  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Respiratory
  • Accidents
  • Drug/suicide
  • Stroke
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Diabetes
  • Flu
  • Kidney


Physical Fitness
: Caring for your health

  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Rest
  • Caution
  • Checkups
  • Total fitness


Four myths of Nutritionism (Michael Pollan)
(Unhealthy obsession with healthy eating)

  • Food is a delivery vehicle for nutrients.
  • We need experts to tell us how to eat.
  • The only point of eating is bodily health.
  • There are evil foods and good foods.


Food is God’s gift

You give them their food at the proper time. (Psalm 104:27; 145:15)

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. (Psalm 36:8)

That each of them may eat and drink… this is the gift of God. (Eccl 3:13)


Multipurpose food
Not just nutrition–also pleasure, celebration, fellowship, and faith.

There was joy and gladness… with feasting and celebrating. (Esther 8:17)

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. (Acts 2:46)


All food is good

They order people to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:3-5)


Unlike Bible times

  • Constant supply of most foods, sugar, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
  • Restaurants and processed foods designed for profit, ease, craving
  • Eating while in car or watching TV
  • Machines for travel and labor
  • Stress of faster pace, constant input


Unlike Bible times

  • Better sanitation, cleaner water, more foods, climate-controlled homes
  • Superior doctors, nurses, surgeries, medications, and technology

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. (Eccl 7:10)

 
Obesity (too fat)

Increases risk of heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea


Too much sugar

Candy, cake, doughnuts, alcohol, soda, and other drinks are loaded with sugar.


Juice vs. pop

  • Grape juice has even more sugar and calories than Mountain Dew.
  • Apple juice has more calories and almost as much sugar as Coke.
  • Orange juice has more calories and almost as much sugar as Sprite.

Eat more fruit; drink less juice.


Moderation

If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit… It is not good to eat too much honey. (Proverbs 25:16, 27)

  • Sugar is a delicious gift of God. It’s not bad or harmful—unless you eat too much of it.


Added sugars 
and refined grains

  • More calories without nutrients
  • Spikes blood sugar levels
  • Increases insulin and appetite.

Enjoy such food as a special treat, not a constant habit.


Nutrition

  • Mostly whole, unprocessed foods
  • Plenty of vegetables and fruits
  • Some meat, eggs, dairy, nuts
  • Less trans fats, less added sugars (candy, cookies, donuts, drinks)
  • Less starch, less processed carbs (white bread, fries, pizza, cereal)
  • Intermittent fasting


Lifestyle changes

  • Lose 1- 2 pounds per week (slow and steady, not quickly)
  • Eat more home cooking (less restaurant and processed food)
  • Drink more water (less pop, juice, lemonade, energy drinks)
  • Watch less TV (less urge to snack, more time to exercise)


Eating and drinking 
to the glory of God

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:30-31)


Physical Fitness
: Caring for your health

  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Rest
  • Caution
  • Checkups
  • Total fitness

Why exercise?

Physical training is of some value. (1 Tim 4:8)

  • Healthy heart, lungs, circulation
  • Maintain muscle mass and tone
  • Protect joints and bone density
  • Feel more energetic and upbeat
  • Minor impact on body weight

 
Exercise

  • Cardio: 3-5 times a week
    • Walk, run, bike, or swim 20-30 min.
  • Strength: 2-3 times a week
    • Upper body: pushups, pull-ups, curls
    • Lower body: squats, lunges
    • Core: planks
  • Stretch: before and after workout


Rest

  • Sabbath: On the seventh day you shall rest. (Exodus 34:21)
  • Sleep: I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. (Psalm 3:5)
  • Recreation: A cheerful heart is good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22)


Be realistic

  • Don’t just say no to something. Replace it with a better option.
  • Don’t change everything at once. Start with a few changes.
  • Don’t wallow in guilt and defeat. Rest in grace; rejoice in progress.


Be realistic

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

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. (1 Tim 4:8)


Physical Fitness
: Caring for your health

  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Rest
  • Caution
  • Checkups
  • Total fitness


Caution

  • Drive without drinking, texting, speeding
  • Use seat belts and car seats
  • No tobacco, drugs, or drunkenness
  • Hygiene: wash hands, brush teeth
  • Chastity: celibate single, faithful spouse

Preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you…Then you will go on your way in safety. (Proverbs 3:21-23)


Checkups

  • Seek help for health problems
  • Regular exams by physician
  • Blood pressure, cholesterol
  • Cancer screening, especially if you have higher risk
  • Don’t be your only doctor!


Avoid technolatry

  • Value Creator’s provision of self-healing bodies fueled and renewed by real foods
  • Beware of secular thinking, profit motive and social power of food corporations, drug companies, and medical schools
  • Accept needed medical interventions  with grateful discernment, not paranoia


Physical Fitness
: Caring for your health

  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Rest
  • Caution
  • Checkups
  • Total fitness

Total Fitness Affects
 Physical Fitness

  • Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet [after bad alliance, imprisoning prophet, and oppressing people]. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. (2 Chronicles 16:12)
  • There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. (Psalm 38:3; see also Psalm 32:3-4)
  • Fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body. (Proverbs 3:7-8)
  • Gluttony (Deuteronomy 21:20, Proverbs 23:20-21)
  • Idolatry Their god is their belly. (Philippians 3:19)
  • Bondage “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
  • The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:15-16)
  • My words are life to those who find them 
and health to a man’s whole body. (Proverbs 4:22)
  • A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)
  • Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (Proverbs 16:24)


Total Fitness Affects 
Physical Fitness

  • Spiritual
  • Physical
  • Financial
  • Intellectual
  • Emotional
  • Relational
  • Vocational


Physical Fitness
: Caring for your health

  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Rest
  • Caution
  • Checkups
  • Total fitness


Why care for your body?

  • Your body is a marvel of God’s creation.
  • Your body is linked with Jesus’ body.
  • Your body is the Holy Spirit’s temple.
  • Your body is your offering to God.
  • Your body is your gift to your spouse.
  • Your body is your equipment for action.
  • Physical fitness affects total fitness.

Last modified: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 11:21 AM