The Idol of Health and Fitness

by Mary E. Stephens
March 2025

One of the idols that has come into a major role in more recent times has been the idol of health and fitness.

A lot of the chatter and shaming on this subject centers around "honoring your temple," meaning your body. Somehow this flows into the idea that if you are taking care of your body - eating "right," exercising, lifting weights, etc. that God will honor that because you are allegedly "taking better care of His temple."

One of the first I ran across that really got my attention was a Christian vegan page on Facebook years back. The woman who was running it was boasting that being a Christian is hard enough, and being a vegan is hard, but being a Christian vegan was so difficult that apparently it was making them into some kind of super Christians because they were so spiritual in their drive to subdue the flesh.

This is where the problem really settles. The people who deny the flesh by eating and exercising a certain way believe that they are doing fleshly things that will make them "extra spiritual" and super "victorious" Christians. This is the exact wrong thinking that the Apostle Paul was writing about to the church at Colosse: Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Denying the flesh feels very spiritual and tempts people to think more highly of themselves than they ought. There is a show of wisdom - in other words, it looks wise because perhaps there are even benefits on the surface, and it seems humble to subdue your own will and not satisfy the flesh. However, he calls these the commandments and doctrines of men. He asks, "Why are you being subject to these things - don't touch it, don't eat it, don't handle it - when you are supposed to be dead with Christ to the rudiments of the world?" In other words, these carnal things shouldn't be your focus. You're supposed to be dead to them.

We see why as the letter continues: Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Focusing on the flesh and it's needs or weaknesses and confusing that with spiritual behavior is contrary to seeking those things which are above. It is not a heavenward outlook, but an earthly "inlook," so to speak. Becoming preoccupied with food and fitness, and even health, to the disruption of the spiritual or as a means to become spiritual, is not our calling. It is not what a person who has died to the world and risen with Christ should be doing. Our affections should be on things above, not the things of this life. The peril of a preoccupation with fitness and health is that it is all about this life. Taking prudent care of ourselves so that we can serve the Lord more effectively is good stewardship with the resources He has given us. But, this is not the same as being obsessed or preoccupied with food, fitness, and healthy living.

I ran across a video on Facebook where a woman was trying to become an influencer for fitness from the basis of the Christian faith. To put her philosophy in a nutshell, she appeared to have the idea that you can become spiritually strong through the strengthening of the physical body.

Here's a quote directly from her Instagram page:

"God tells you He is about to massively grow you spiritually in discipline and confidence through your fitness. The way God can transform your heart, head, thoughts, habits, confidence, discipline, intentions, & body through your fitness is way worth it but not always pretty..." "POV: you use the Truth as the foundational 'drug' in your fitness journey now."  Kelsey Marie Combs

She also includes links to some pretty extreme "Christian" music that is supposed to make the whole experience more Christ-centered. In fact, it isn't that different from the world, and neither are her gyrations as she listens to it. Just sayin'...

We're told by her that if we can't lift the weights, if we can't do the thing, we should allow God to do it through us. We should lean on Him to accomplish weight lifting, running, and other physical exercises. This is allegedly "honoring our temple," or bodies. 

In reality, though, it's just a thin veil of "godliness" put over an idolatrous obsession with the physical body - the fitness cult at its "finest." They make it sound very spiritual, very deeply Christ-honoring, as if physical exercise and controlling our bodies vigorously can bring about "massive" spiritual growth. Which is contrary to clear biblical teaching that our spirits are no longer bound to the body of this death.

Romans 6:5-14 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

In fact, we are spiritually cut free from the body and the sins of the flesh. Colossians 2:10-11 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Of course, this idea that our spiritual growth comes through physical fitness begs the question: what if we don't follow their advice? Well, the obvious conclusion of all intensely self-focused and high pressure "Christian" philosophies is this: if you choose not to follow them, then you are a loser and not serious about your love for God.

Mark that down.
Don't forget it.

It isn't just in the health and fitness idolatry. You'll find it in many other places, including the so-called deeper life movement. The intensity drives them, and if you aren't willing to join them, or, God forbid, if you even show them scripture to prove their view point doesn't agree with God's word, well, you are just a worthless so-and-so who doesn't take the Christian life seriously and doesn't really want to be "the best Christian you can be."

There is a serious danger here because this fitness fetish is pushing the idea that our strength for doing exercise, running, lifting weights, etc. is from God; therefore, we "obviously" should never be tired or unmotivated. This type of thinking can lead people to push themselves beyond what is good and healthy for their particular body. As they are encouraged to emulate the leaders, they are in peril of actually doing themselves harm in the name of "trusting God" and "having faith."

Sound familiar? It should. We've been seeing it for years in the fake healers and name it and claim it groups. They do it in the context of healings - "if you just had enough faith, you could be healed." This is the same ideology, just a different iteration of it - "if you rely on God, you won't be too weak or frail to keep up."

And, again, all of this is under the guise of "honoring our temples well." So, if you fail to engage, you are meant to feel like you don't care about the temple of God and are a worthless Christian. They don't say it outright, but the implication is clear enough.

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

One lady put the words "devil" and "enemy" on the bottom of her running shoes and then talked about how with every step she was stomping down the lies of Satan. She claimed that the Lord had "given" her this "revelation" in a "vision" while she was running. And, oh, she was excited! She was on fire! You could tell that she believed this - or at least was making it seem like she did. She said that running gave her a spiritual "high" that filled her with the Holy Spirit. She connected with Him in running. She actually said that her confidence was in running. (Just for what it's worth, she was so excited and "full of the Spirit" on this subject she could barely stop herself from using the f-word, even though she knew she shouldn't.)

To be fair, I think her confusion on the subject comes from the fact that running can be therapeutic and exhilarating, as can other types of exercise. But, so many Christians get the body, soul, and spirit all mixed up these days. If they are eating healthy and it's hard work and takes self-denial, they think it's making them a better Christian. If they are feeling physically exhilarated or empowered, they assume that translates over into the spiritual. So, for her, running makes her feel strong, and so she's confusing it with her spiritual race and making a mixed up mess that is actually contrary to scripture at its core.

Here's a simple question: What happens when she can't run any more? If her connection to the Holy Spirit is in running, if her confidence is in running, if her victory over Satan is in running - what happens when she can't run any more? If you only feel like your have the spiritual victory as long as you are doing your favorite exercise, what will happen to you when you can't do that any more?

This is the problem when we put our trust and confidence in acts of the body. When you are no longer able to do the things that you think make you a better Christian, or when your health crumbles and you can't "fix it" no matter how hard you try, what are you going to do? All flesh is as grass, and soon or later you will run out of the fleshly abilities. If that's where you place your confidence for Christian victory, you will lose, you will fail, you will very possibly be destroyed. You will not lose your salvation, if you are truly born again, but by trusting in the flesh, you will find yourself in a place of defeat rather than standing boldly in the victory Jesus Christ gives us. You will miss the prize of running a faith-filled spiritual race while pursuing an empty physical one.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. This is a physical example to illustrate a spiritual race, not a recommendation to run physically in order to be a good Christian. The body must be subjected to the spiritual man. Spiritual and eternal things aren't produced in pursuing a corruptible reward in this life.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Oh, your body is going to faint sometimes, friend. Human bodies are weak vessels, even at the most physically fit state. Consider Goliath. He was a giant, a warrior, a fearsome foe; and yet a smooth stone slung at the right spot took him down without a second shot needed. No, it's in our minds that we need to not become weary. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

This particular lady with words on her running shoes said she was doing things that she had been told she couldn't do any more. But, the question to me wasn't about "couldn't," but rather shouldn't. Because of the surgeries she had had, is it wise for her to push her body the way she is? But, since she finds her confidence and her imagined connection with the Spirit of God by running, since she thinks she gets her victory over Satan's lies by running, she can't give it up. And so she will likely destroy herself trying, unless she is really saved and God steps in and makes her lie down in green pastures so that she can learn that her sufficiency is of God and not of her own doing.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

And then there's the matter of overcoming the enemy and stomping down Satan's lies with your shoes as you run, lift weights, do yoga, do pilates, walk on the tread mill, or whatever your thing is - according to her. Well, there's a simple answer: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (Notice how the mind is again the place of conflict and obedience, not the body.) None of that has anything to do with stomping down Satan with your shoes as you do your favorite fitness routine. Shoes are carnal - of the world and flesh. They are not a spiritual weapon. The poor woman has fallen for a lie of Satan in the very fact that she is feeling empowered and victorious spiritually by a physical activity.

Do you want a spiritual weapon for your feet? God has that covered. It's in the list of His armor that is available to us. Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; And to fight the lies of Satan, we don't need physical shoes and physical activities. We need the shield of faith. Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Shoes will fail you. Feet will fail you. Your body will fail you. A lot of people get to a point in their life when they start having foot pain, and finding shoes that are comfortable can become difficult. Our human legs will fail us. They are a very poor substitute for the spiritual weapons that God has given us, especially considering the fact that our battle is spiritual, not physical. Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

If you are trusting in your own strength to "stomp down the enemy" or trusting in your very wise eating habits to make you a better and stronger person, your trust is misplaced. Our hope is not in ourselves nor in our efforts!

Psalm 147:10-11 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Due to my own set of physical struggles that I've had over the years, I could probably spend just about all of my time making sure I had the "safest" food possible and was doing everything to make my body better. I could use up all my energy on improving my body, and all of my mental space in finding cures and ways to improve my health. But, then I wouldn't have any time left for the things that really matter in this life; and at the end of the day, I know I'd still have some of those issues because they are things that can't be "cured" by human effort. (I was exposed to a toxin as a child that is extremely difficult to get rid of, just by way of one example. So far they don't know of way to effectively get rid of it, and its half life is rather long.) I know how consuming the endeavor to be "healthy" can become.

In this broken, sin-cursed world we live in, it can become a real struggle to have the health and strength we think we deserve. But, God is not always honored by us being completely healthy. The "live your best life now" philosophy and the healthy living idolatry would find that statement very offensive. Yet, we find in John 9 Jesus actually telling us that sometimes people have physical ailments for the express purpose of showing God's work. John 9:1-3 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Jesus went ahead and healed that man, but we don't always get to be healed of everything. Sometimes God does His work through us and glorifies Himself by letting us continue to deal with the weaknesses of this flesh.

Paul had a thorn in the flesh that the Lord didn't take away. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

This completely contradicts the lies of the "fitness for spiritual victory" crowd. Paul actually tells us, through the Holy Ghost, that when he was weak, then he was strong. He didn't overcome his weaknesses and become a super Christian by running and exercising and eating the perfect diet. He gloried in the infirmities because they magnified the power of Christ and God's strength - not Paul's. He didn't prove how mighty God is by becoming a body builder or health enthusiast. He proved God's power and might by living in victory spiritually in a broken and imperfect physical body.

Timothy had stomach troubles as we see in 1 Timothy 5:23, Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. This was very likely related to the contamination of water in those days, and wine would have provided a safer alternative. But, the admonition says, "a little wine" and specifically for his stomach and often infirmities. In other words, he was to use it like medicine. So we see that there is a time to take actions for our physical health to make it better and make ourselves more useful in our service of Christ. But, we must beware of substituting the physical for the spiritual.

So, how do we get more spiritually "fit"?

1. Through the word of God.

1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

2. By knowing God and understanding Him. This is what delights Him, not physical prowess or "clean eating."

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

(Note that the Lord exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness. I'm pretty sure we would be better off following His example in that than in focusing so much on exercising our bodies.)

3. By not going about to commend ourselves, but by glorying in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Beware of the "look at me go" mentality that glorifies self. "See what positive effects I've made on my body. This means I'm a better Christian because I'm doing it for Jesus. You can now look on my outward appearance too see what great work I'm doing on myself." Nope, it doesn't work that way. While inner work will eventually work its way to the outside, the outward appearance never proves what is on the inside.

4. By exercising ourselves unto godliness and refusing the profane stories that are presented to us as "good for you."

1 Timothy 4:7-9 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

5. By running the race with patience, knowing that it is a spiritual race, not a physical one.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

6. By fighting the good fight of faith, not with carnal weapons, but with the armor and weapons God has given for the purpose, and by bringing down everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of Him. By striving to have our minds in obedience to Christ. (Because as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he, Prv. 23:7)

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

7. By looking forward to the deliverance we know we will have from the body of this death.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Romans 8:21-23 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

In Conclusion

Acts 17:24-25 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

God doesn't dwell in temples made with hands. He isn't more in people who work hard, stay fit, and strain themselves to make their bodies better. He doesn't need any physical thing from us to be God. He isn't worshipped by hands - lifting weights, doing planks, counting beads, building buildings, etc. He also isn't worshipped by legs running, or by bodies jumping or swimming or any other activity. He doesn't need our physical thrashing as part of our worship. He gives life and breath and all things on His terms, and His alone. He is just as much in the body of a Christian that can't even move as He is in the one who is running miles a day. He doesn't base His goodness and gifts on our performance.

Jesus Christ did all the actual physical work that was necessary to bring us nigh to God. Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

We draw nigh to God through HIM. We are cleansed by HIS blood when we confess our sin (1 John 1:9) We purify our hearts and steady our minds by having HIS mind. Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

May I just say this in closing? If you are trying to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil by pursuing physical fitness or "clean eating," if you are trying to make yourself spiritually better by physical acts of the hands, feet, legs, body - at the very least, you don't understand what Christ did for us on the cross. By trusting in your own athletic efforts to make yourself better or victorious spiritually, you are denying the power of Christ to do ALL the work to make you what He wants you to be. You are also trying to take over the work of the Holy Spirit whose job it is the guide us into all truth. By leaning on your own physical strength, you are getting in the way of the work of God in your inner life. No lasting or eternal good can come from this path. If you are truly born again and are not trusting in your works to save you, why are you trusting in your physical fitness to keep you victorious? Why are you trusting in your own physical endeavors to make you the spiritual person God wants you to be? Do you really think that you know better than Him?

But, even more serious, is the question of how you actually became a believer. Because if you think that those works you are doing - fitness or otherwise - are part of your salvation or prove your salvation, then you are not saved, and this is tragic. Ask yourself this question: If I couldn't do ___________, would I still be saved? If there is anything that you can put in that blank to which the answer is "no," then you aren't trusting the right thing for your salvation.

Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. He did it all. There is nothing left for us to do. Nothing. The armor is God's, the wisdom is God's, the power is God's, the victory is God's, the breath is God's, etc. We believe and obey the gospel. That's it.

And, if you are born again here's a question to ask yourself: If I couldn't do ____________, would I still be a beloved child of God? Be very careful. There are a lot of things that people think they must do in order to keep their place as a "good" Christian. I watched my mom lose her memory and become childish and mentally weak. But, her place in Christ didn't depend on her body doing any specific act to be approved or loved. She couldn't outrun the dementia. I've known a lady who had Parkinson's disease and her mind worked, but her body didn't. She couldn't do anything physical to make herself a better Christian, even as little as going to church. Her body simply would not obey her mind. If you literally couldn't do anything physically, would you still be a beloved child of God?

Romans 8:31-39 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Friend, you can't get these things by physical fitness. It is all of Christ, or you are none of His.

2 Corinthians 13:4-5 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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background and graphics by Mary Stephens
vintage graphics: unknown source