If your body is a temple, what kind of caretaker are you really? Let’s talk about worship, discipline, and why effort in the gym isn’t just about you.
The Problem With “Temple Talk”
Look, if you’ve been around church circles for any length of time, you’ve heard some version of, "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit." (1 Cor 6:19-20, NKJV) It gets tossed around like a polite warning about tattoos, energy drinks, or skipping church league softball. Most guys don’t really think much about what it means. And honestly? That’s a problem.
Paul isn’t handing out a cute slogan—he’s issuing a command. Stewardship of your body isn’t just a suggestion or a side quest for the hyper-motivated. It’s worship. It’s obedience. And yeah, sometimes it’s downright hard.
Physical Fitness: Not Vanity, But Worship
I’ll be honest, chasing aesthetics or bragging about your bench press misses the point. Pursuing physical strength as a Christian man isn’t about flexing in the mirror or trying to outdo the next guy in your gym shorts. It’s about discipline, sacrifice, and gratitude for what God’s given you.
Charles Spurgeon once put it like this: "The Christian's body should be used for the Lord, and his whole manhood yielded in cheerful obedience to Christ." (That’s vintage Spurgeon if I’ve ever heard it.)
If you’re sweating, struggling, and putting in the work, remember it’s not just for you. It’s a form of worship to take care of what God entrusted to you—yes, even those stubborn joints and calloused hands.
Soli Deo Gloria — To God alone be the glory.
Discipline—It’s More Than Routine
R.C. Sproul hit the nail on the head: "Discipline is not a dirty word. Far from it, discipline is the path to freedom." And it’s true, isn’t it? The more effort you put into your routines—whether it’s waking up before dawn to train, skipping junk food, or pushing through when you’d rather watch TV—the more able you are to serve God and those around you.
Here’s the thing: You’re not just building muscle. You’re building habits—discipline that bleeds into how you love your wife, parent your kids, and serve your church. If you can conquer that voice telling you to hit snooze, you’re a whole lot more likely to conquer sin and selfishness elsewhere, too.
“Pursuing physical strength as a Christian man isn’t about flexing in the mirror or trying to outdo the next guy in your gym shorts.”
Stewardship and Service
Let’s get real for a second. There are mornings I don’t feel like training. My kids are up early, work is waiting, and my back’s already tight. But I think about what’s at stake: Am I giving my best to the Lord? My family? If my body is broken down because I neglected stewardship, how can I play catch with my son, protect my family, or serve my brothers in Christ?
God’s call isn’t for us to idolize our bodies, but to use them. Training hard, eating right, and resting well aren’t just for athletes—they’re the tools by which you’re equipped to fulfill your mission. “You are not your own…For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor 6:19-20, NKJV)
Walking It Out
I know—I’m not always perfect at this stuff. Some days, I skip a workout or eat another slice of pizza (okay, two). But my aim stays the same: to honor Christ, love my family, and be ready for whatever He sets before me. As Keller said, “The Gospel changes not just your standing with God but your entire approach to life.”
So next time you lace up your shoes, hit that sled, or prep a meal that looks—let’s admit—a little bland, remember: You’re not chasing a number on a scale. You’re answering a call.
Own the Responsibility
Brothers, your body’s a tool, a temple, and a testimony. Steward it with grit and gratitude. Don’t settle for mediocrity—not in your faith, not in your family, not in your fitness. What you do with your body matters, not because you’re the center of the universe, but because the One who bought you says so.
So train hard, rest well, lead your family, serve your church—worship with all of you. That’s not vanity; that’s obedience.
Maybe take a second today, after your next set, to pray: “Lord, help me use this body for your glory and the good of those I love.” Then get after it.
Continue the Mission