Christian Body Builders

[ConyPearl]

So encouraging to see fellow brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world who share the same passion for bodybuilding. God bless.

[testandtrials]

I greatly encourage people to take care of their bodies. We cannot build the kingdom of God constantly being sick and bed stricken. I greatly promote physical fitness and love the chiropractor that I go to as well who also promotes good nutrition and fitness. A healthy body goes a long way when living for the Lord. You'd be surprise how what you eat affects your perspective, hormones, will power, and focus.

Awesome!

[CWGame]

Haven't been in this thread for a long time but my walk with God and weight training have been going really well lately. He gives me my strength and mentality the day I forget that is the day I'm a failure.

[ThomasKempis]

I just stumbled across this thread while doing an internet search on "Christian bodybuilding."

Being a bodybuilder and a true Christian has always been something I was always unsure about. Granted, I did lift to my heart's content like the next Christian bodybuilder, but I wondered if it was good/virtuous, or a sin. I cared (still do!) so much about this that I wrote my theology Master's thesis on Christian bodybuilding. I make an attempt to demonstrate that bodybuilding is not sinful, but instead, can be a virtuous hobby that glorifies God. It's quite a high-brow piece of work (I put a lot of research into it!), but if anyone is willing to read it, I think it will pay off and give you good food for thought. It's on amazon kindle (titled "Toward a Christian Bodybuilding Ethic") but if you like I can email it if you just pm me.

[OkieNatural]

I'm 51 years old and have been a natural bodybuilder for 35 years, or since the age of 15. My take on this topic is this.... Yes, bodybuilding, for the most part, is filled with self-indulged, self-obsessed, sinners who are searching for something unobtainable, whether it be approval, attention, or whatever it may be. Professional bodybuilding at its highest levels is filled with rampant drug use, sex, jealousy, and sin. With all of this said, what an amazing need God has for Christian bodybuilders to be a witness in the midst of all of this. Yes, we are all wretched sinners, but we have an amazing opportunity to be examples to this lost world. Afterall, it would seem to me God has a much greater need to be a Shepard among the lost as opposed to preaching to the choir.

[JakeRussel1]

I was always wondering this too. I always thought bodybuilding was a form of idolatry. But idolatry is actually in the mind. You can make anything an idol, even making your knowledge of the bible an idol. So now I approach bodybuilding as a way to glory God in my body, making it fit for the Holy Spirit to reside in. I also make sure to not look at my body every hour of every day. I have removed mirrors out of my house and only allow myself to see my full body one time a day before going out or going to work. I won't be like others who are so obsessed with their body that they look at it in every reflection they pass

[RTuliglowski]

Hello, my fellow Christians! I just wanted to say that this thread is very inspiring and motivating! I never realized how many other Christian bodybuilders there are.

[Brdprey]

The Bible says that our bodies are God's temple. I am a christian but my temple is in bad need of renovation. By his grace Im remodeling and by his strength Im making progress. I want to become a temple he can be proud of.

i as well have done no good to my temple. he would be disappointed.
so im on the same path. rebuilding and renovate the temple given to me.
in the same breath learn to love my fellow brother and sister, to learn to forgive and grow spiritually.

[4theking]

I have been lifting weights all my life and I have often wondered some of the same questions people have been asking in this thread. Can a Christian be a bodybuilder?
In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul says "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it."

God can and will use us, wherever we are, to glorify Him and point people to Him. It's all about your heart and motive. As others have said, there are a lot of lost people in the fitness/bodybuilding lifestyle. We can be a shinning light for God for those that need Him. When I first started this journey it was about looking good. Now it is about having an oppurtunity to share the good news. Wherever you go, whatever you do, do it all for Him.

[ToniMcAlister]

Hi All,

I'm just now entering into the world of body building...I have a question. Its important to keep your "temple" fit however, what about modesty? Some of the photos I've seen looks like soft porn. Seriously? Are there body building competitions out there where you can represent without being so fleshy? That kind of defeats a message as a whole.

[cedsothoed]

Reps for Jesus. I'm Christian too.

[4EverLearning]

Found this after googling "Christian Body Builders" and it's interesting to read the posts going back to 2008! I wonder where they are all now, like an old VH1 show! ;-) My body is my temple, useful for many things. Anyone in a good Bible study? I'm currently studying the book of James with a group of guys.

[4EverLearning]

I've certainly seen those pics too. Have you seen them by others saying they were follower?

Hi All,

I'm just now entering into the world of body building...I have a question. Its important to keep your "temple" fit however, what about modesty? Some of the photos I've seen looks like soft porn. Seriously? Are there body building competitions out there where you can represent without being so fleshy? That kind of defeats a message as a whole.

[TiberiusFlavius]

I know that I give all my ability to lift to God first and foremost, and am just wondering who else out there are Christian's lifting for the glory of God?

Listen, it's important that you take care of your body since "...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..." (Corinthians I. 6.19-20). Yet you cannot make your body itself the temple. It is so easy to bring up your ego (self) and make your body itself the temple/idol of worship.

With regards to competitive bodybuilding, it is such a vain sport/pursuit; everything is about you and manipulating your body to the extreme to the point where you're taking the human body (created by God and in the image of God) and you're practically destroying it to make it look a certain way for vain aesthetic glory. Yes, you do have the other end of the spectrum (disregarding and neglecting your body, ie: being gluttonous pigs and destroying the body that way, etc), but this is the other end of the extreme too.

Is it possible to make bodybuilding a Godly thing? I don't know, I'm new to this myself. But I will say that lifting and bodybuilding is like any hobby; it is the art of sculpting your body. Taken to excess, it becomes the idol of your life. Did you know that you're meant to make Christ the foundation of your life? Any other foundation (in this case, bodybuilding) is like building your house on a foundation of sand; it will sink and be swept away.

I hope this helps, even though I'm late to the discussion.

[mhilliard44]

Checking in my fellow brothers and sisters. I've had some incredible life events in the past year of my life that have really brought me closer to God. I grew up Catholic, but within the past few years starting attending non-denominational churches. This year, God personally intervened in my life in a really big way. That being said, I've been struggling with the concept of bodybuilding. My Christian friends also have mixed views on it also.

I've always known that I have a God-given gift to grow muscle and alter my way my body looks. I work in a profession where I help people with physical injuries everyday. That's how I serve God. I also really enjoy lifting weights and eating healthy, the result over the years: what most people would call a solid physique. I'm at a stage in my life where I'm looking to compete on the drug-free professional level, but am taking some time off to set my priorities in life and grow in the areas I need to.

Currently, I think motive is key. Doing for vanity to look bigger or better is a sin. But if you're interested in perfecting an art or exploring your God-given talents, I don't see bodybuilding being a sin. I do sometimes feel like a glutton with the amount of food I consume. I've you've ever prepped for a competition, you know how easy it can be to turn a hobby into an idol. GOD FIRST.

Found this after googling "Christian Body Builders" and it's interesting to read the posts going back to 2008! I wonder where they are all now, like an old VH1 show! ;-) My body is my temple, useful for many things. Anyone in a good Bible study? I'm currently studying the book of James with a group of guys.

First and Second Samuel currently with a friend, did David and Goliath a week or so ago!

I have been lifting weights all my life and I have often wondered some of the same questions people have been asking in this thread. Can a Christian be a bodybuilder?
In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul says "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it."

God can and will use us, wherever we are, to glorify Him and point people to Him. It's all about your heart and motive. As others have said, there are a lot of lost people in the fitness/bodybuilding lifestyle. We can be a shinning light for God for those that need Him. When I first started this journey it was about looking good. Now it is about having an oppurtunity to share the good news. Wherever you go, whatever you do, do it all for Him.

It's fun, the more we grow with God, we find ways to serve him and disciple others.

I'm 51 years old and have been a natural bodybuilder for 35 years, or since the age of 15. My take on this topic is this.... Yes, bodybuilding, for the most part, is filled with self-indulged, self-obsessed, sinners who are searching for something unobtainable, whether it be approval, attention, or whatever it may be. Professional bodybuilding at its highest levels is filled with rampant drug use, sex, jealousy, and sin. With all of this said, what an amazing need God has for Christian bodybuilders to be a witness in the midst of all of this. Yes, we are all wretched sinners, but we have an amazing opportunity to be examples to this lost world. Afterall, it would seem to me God has a much greater need to be a Shepard among the lost as opposed to preaching to the choir.

This is a great post Okie. I go to a Gold's Gym. There is much need for Jesus there.

[Greater Deity]

Good morning/afternoon/evening believers! Because He is faithful, so should we be!

After many years of various struggles, many of us have come, by faith, to realize that God lives! To that, ONLY the things we do for Christ will last! Further, The Father allows us one -- only one body in which we must live. I consider, wholly, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

I learn something new every day, but when I was younger, I was unknowing. I got involved in all kinds of filth. Now, every time I work out, everything in me fixates on God. A tempo, mantra and edification of His Grace with every repetition. Without Him, I could not lift a single hair on my head! For as Job realized, "Naked out of my mother's womb I came, naked I shall return! The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away! BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!" Just saying that has me excited right now! There are no words in human language that can express my love for God!

The next time you pull, push, jump or squat, bless God each time and watch Him work! GLORY! God bless all of you abundantly.

[davis5491]

I'd love to follow some brothers in Christ that are into fitness like myself on Instagram. Anyone?

[stalcup82]

Great to know that fellow Christians are out there pumping iron!!! Glory to God!!!

[manutazo]

Me too!!. Another Christian from Spain!

[3rn]

I'm a born again Christian and ultimately I think bodybuilding will help strengthen your faith (if you do it in a godly way). However, if you're not putting God first you're more at risk of becoming proud, vain or it becoming your idol.

Below is a link to an article I just wrote on Beliefnet.com called: Can a Christian Be a Bodybuilder?

...Hopefully it can be of help to someone on this thread

http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/chri...dybuilder.aspx

[Honey75]

She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. Proverbs 31:17

Fellow Christian from Canada!

[whatevergirl]

It's nice to see this thread's still going

[whatevergirl]

I was thinking about the passage where Jesus tells His Disciples to ''go out and make Disciples of all nations.'' I stopped practicing for a while, and then came back to it and I share that story with people to tell them that doubts are very normal. There's nothing wrong with questioning the Bible, or your faith, but I find that I don't always bring it up maybe as often as I should? Do you witness to others, and how do you bring your witness to others? Curious as to your ideas.

[whatevergirl]

bump

Just seeing how y'all are doing

[whatevergirl]

bump

[HomeGymChains]

This sounds like a nice thread to get going again.

re-bump

[whatevergirl]

This sounds like a nice thread to get going again.

re-bump

Yep, I hope to get it going again. I left the faith for a while, and then returned, but it’s different for me now that it once was. I don’t follow ‘’religion’’ anymore, just God.
I’m hoping people share what leads them to faith in their own life, if they want to share.

[whatevergirl]

Happy Friday, all! Thinking of going to church this weekend, I don't really go all that often, but I was reading lately that it's good to go because it 'feeds' you, and it's easy to get lost in the world's narrative when we don't have teachers to help guide us.

[2nd_chance]

Happy Friday, all! Thinking of going to church this weekend, I don't really go all that often, but I was reading lately that it's good to go because it 'feeds' you, and it's easy to get lost in the world's narrative when we don't have teachers to help guide us.

Connecting with a church is a big part of Christianity. It's a team sport, not an individual one . That's why the Bible calls us the body of Christ with different members making up the whole.

Glad to see this thread up again!

[whatevergirl]

Connecting with a church is a big part of Christianity. It's a team sport, not an individual one . That's why the Bible calls us the body of Christ with different members making up the whole.

Glad to see this thread up again!

Really? I never really thought of it that way.