Ep. 233 | Health According to God: What Does The Bible Really Say About Physical Fitness?
Does God Care About Your Physical Fitness? A Biblical Perspective on Health and Stewardship
Primary Keywords: Biblical worldview on fitness, Christian men's health, God and physical fitness Secondary Keywords: body as temple, Christian stewardship, men's physical health, biblical masculinity
When co-host Nick Surface dropped a shocking statistic on The Impossible Life Podcast—that the average body fat percentage for American males is 28% and women at 40%—it sparked a deep dive into a question that makes many Christians uncomfortable: Does God actually care about our physical fitness?
In this eye-opening episode featuring philosopher Joshua Craft, the hosts tackle head-on what Scripture says about our bodies, our health, and our responsibility as stewards of the temple God has given us.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Christian Health
The statistics are staggering and uncomfortable. According to the American Council on Exercise, anything over 25% body fat is considered obese for men—meaning the average American male is technically in the obese category. But here's what should really grab your attention: Christians are one and a half times more likely to be obese than non-Christians.
As Surface observed after attending his child's first day of school, "I was looking at the state of people around me and realizing... when I look around and I see men who are in very poor shape and they're not leading themselves well physically, and they just kind of seem like very nice, soft guys... it bothers me, man."
This isn't about aesthetics or vanity. It's about something much deeper.
The Biblical Foundation: Your Body as Temple
The conversation quickly moves beyond cultural observations to biblical truth. Josh breaks down the scriptural foundation, starting with Romans 6:12-14: "Don't let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life."
The hosts explore multiple passages that speak directly to our physical stewardship:
1 Corinthians 3:16 - "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God lives in you?"
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Don't you realize that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in you... You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."
Romans 12:1 - "Present your body as a living sacrifice."
Josh explains that the Greek word "soma" used in Romans 12:1 refers to the combination of everything about you—not just your soul and spirit, but your physical body as well.
What Honor Really Means
The concept of "honoring God with your body" gets practical definition in this episode. Josh explains honor has two biblical definitions: the Old Testament version means "to give weight to something," while the New Testament definition means "to treat someone or something as special and valuable."
"The big question that people ask... is, do you want to give God a broken down, messed up, unhealthy temple?" Josh asks pointedly.
This isn't about becoming a bodybuilder or achieving Instagram-worthy aesthetics. It's about stewardship and intentionality with what God has entrusted to us.
The "Heaven or Hell Issue" Fallacy
One of the most powerful moments in the conversation addresses a toxic mindset plaguing modern Christianity—the idea that something only matters if it's a "heaven or hell issue."
"I think that whole thought process is poisonous," Surface declares. "What's so interesting is when Jesus talks about all his parables of the kingdom of heaven, he talks about how you get rewarded for what you do on Earth, over and over and over again."
This perspective shift is crucial. The question isn't "Will God send me to hell for being out of shape?" The question is "Am I living as a faithful steward of everything God has given me?"
Life as a Decathlon: Scoring Points in Every Area
Josh introduces a powerful metaphor: life as a decathlon. Just as a decathlete can't excel in only one event, Christians can't ignore entire areas of stewardship.
"So there's all these different events that you have to... you can't like, if you're the best runner, that's great. You're not going to win the decathlon. You got to throw the javelin, you got to do the long jump," he explains.
The four areas of stewardship? Your time, your talent, your treasure, and your temple.
The Cascade Effect: Beyond Personal Health
Perhaps the most convicting part of the discussion centers on how our health choices affect others. With 19% of American children classified as obese, the hosts argue that parental health habits directly impact the next generation.
"I think if a child is obese, their parent is pretty much an abusive parent, because your kids eat what you decide," Josh states bluntly. "If you develop unhealthy things in your life, you pass this stuff down to your kids."
This isn't just about personal stewardship—it's about generational impact and leadership within our families.
The Physical Gateway to Spiritual Growth
One of the most practical insights from this episode is how physical discipline serves as training for spiritual discipline. Surface shares his personal revelation: "Physical is the easiest to understand... you don't have to be wise or smart or learned to understand pain, and so physical is the easiest place to learn."
When you learn to say no to unhealthy cravings, push through discomfort in a workout, or maintain consistency in your health habits despite a busy schedule, you're developing the same muscles needed for spiritual growth, emotional health, and mental resilience.
"What's that you don't feel like doing it? You got a bad night's sleep, and really it's a tight schedule today, and you prioritize it anyways. Wow, you're becoming a regardless person," Surface explains.
Biblical Worldview vs. Default Living
The conversation returns repeatedly to worldview—the lens through which we interpret everything. With 94% of Christians lacking a biblical worldview according to recent research, most believers are living by default rather than by divine design.
"We are not good at being our own gods, because we're not designed to be," Surface emphasizes. "When you come to something like this, or really anything in your life, rather than just living by default... you have to say, what does the Bible say about it?"
Practical Steps Forward
The hosts don't leave listeners hanging with conviction but no direction. They recommend:
Start small - Read "Atomic Habits" by James Clear for sustainable change strategies
Get informed - Consider DEXA scans to understand your actual body composition
Take action - Even 20-minute HIIT workouts or daily walks can begin the transformation
Get guidance - They specifically recommend fitness coach Cody McBroom's resources: CLICK HERE
The Bottom Line: Stewardship and Worship
This episode of The Impossible Life Podcast challenges every Christian man to examine a simple question: "Is God really first with my time? Is he first with my talent? Is he first with my treasure, and then is he first with my temple?"
As Surface concludes: "When God's order is in your life, there's a flow, there's an abundance, and there's a favor that truly is the joy of living."
Your physical health isn't separate from your spiritual life—it's an integral part of it. The question isn't whether God cares if you're fat. The question is whether you care enough about honoring God to be intentional with every area of stewardship He's given you.
Want to dive deeper into biblical living and impossible life principles? Visit theimpossible.life and follow @theimpossiblelife on Instagram for daily motivation and biblical insights that will transform how you approach every area of life.
