Relationship with God builds a healthy spiritual life. In church we’re taught to look after our heart, mind and spirit. What about physical health? How important is physical health to God? Our body is temporary on this Earth, but the Bible says a lot about how Christians can live a physically healthy life. Here’s what the Bible says about healthy living.
What the Bible says about Healthy Living
Why is physical health important for Christians?
Paul speaks about the church as a body in Romans 12, all working together, with different jobs to do. If one part of the body isn’t functioning well, it affects everyone. Say you have a broken foot and can’t walk. But you’re called serve in the church as an usher. Can you fully show up for the body of Christ? No.
Accidents and illness happen, we don’t always have a choice if our foot breaks or if we get sick. But, our physical health affects our ability to live out Gods call on our life. Caring for our body helps us to show up for God, others and ourselves to fulfill our purpose and calling.
7 Things The Bible Says About Healthy Living
Here’s 7 things the Bible says about Healthy Living
1) God Sees Health Holistically
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 John 1:2
God’s desire for your life is a healthy one, inside and out. As Christian’s we value a healthy inner spiritual life. God sees our health holistically, including every part of our lives. A holistically, healthy life with God includes our heart, mind, body, spirit and relationships. He made us as one creation with all parts working together to live a healthy life.
2) Health Is Balanced in Wisdom and Freedom
Some of you say, “Everything is permitted for me.” But not everything is good for me. Again some of you say, “Everything is permitted for me.” But I will not be controlled by anything.
1 Cor. 6:12
Paul’s wisdom is a balanced in freedom and boundaries. There’s no hard rules around what you can and cannot eat. What really matters to God is that you are not controlled by your lifestyle-good or bad. Sure, I could eat pizza everyday. It’s not a sin, but is it good for me? No.
Let’s swing to the other side of the health pendulum. What if I only ate “clean”, organic, local, and unprocessed food? So much so, if I was served food that wasn’t “clean”, I’m anxious and fearful of it. By definition, you’d be a healthy person, maybe even admired for your lifestyle. Yet, eating that extreme is rooted in fear. “Healthy” lifestyle that controls your heart, mind and relationships isn’t God’s desire for you either.
3) Not Too Much Sugar
It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
Prov. 25:27
The bible mentions honey a lot, often as a blessing from God. We love honey in our home. I enjoy it daily in my morning coffee. There’s numerous health benefits to honey and it’s just so yummy!
But honey is sugar. Too much sugar, even in a natural form, leads to a host of health issues. Excessive sugar affects our insulin levels, a hormone that regulates how our body uses energy. When disrupted, it can cause weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and a host of chromic issues. A little sweetness is nice, but moderation is key.
4) You Are His Wonderful Creation
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, you works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
God’s hands shaped you. Every detail, every part of your body, personality and spirit. And He calls you wonderful. You were made in love. As we allow this truth to sink deeper into our heart and spirit, I believe a growing desire to care for ourselves will emerge. We love and honor our bodies, because He first loved us.
5) Joy Is Good For Our Health
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Prov. 17: 22
Our mood and attitude affect our physical health. The joy of the Lord is our strength! We understand that as a spiritual principal, but Proverbs describes how emotional and mental health affects our physical health.
6) Eat What God Created
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
Gen 9:3
If God made it, enjoy it! He filled Earth with numerous vegetables, fruit, fish and animals, more than I’ve ever seen! His abundant display of foods, reveals His nature to us. Just picturing the massive variety of food He created, shows his creativity, love of food and generous heart.
In our current world, eating processed food is normal. Yet, God gave us all we need. If He made our body and said this is what we should eat, let’s trust He know what fuel will make our bodies run the distance.
7) Your Body Is Holy and Valued
Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your sanctuary. You were God’s expensive purchase, paid for with tears of blood, so by all means, then, use your body to bring glory to God!
1 Cor. 6: 19-20
You are valuable! Your life, physical and spiritual is valuable, beautiful and with purpose. Walk into a temple or a Cathedral, it’s awe inspiring. The years, planning, artistry and work it took to create is beyond my comprehension. That is how God sees you, your body. Caring for it, the way we care for our places of worship is honoring to God.
Conclusion: 7 Things The Bible Says About Healthy Living
God’s word is plentiful in wisdom, encouragement and instruction for physical health. He desires to see us live a vibrant, fruitful life inside and out. If caring for your health is new to you, pick one verse that stuck out. Spend time meditating on it and ask God to reveal His heart behind it.
Which Bible verse above spoke to you? Leave a comment below.
