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Bodily exercise profiteth little

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1 Timothy 4:7-8:

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.

God does not say that exercise is useless. He says that it profits a little. Therefore, it is certainly no sin to exercise. God expects us to be good stewards of what he has given us. If you eat wrong, don't exercise, and don't take care of yourself, you will end up having to believe for healing when you shouldn't have to. Natural laws do not cease to operate when you get saved.

On the other hand, you are an idolater if you spend lots of time working out at the gym but say you don't have time to pray and fellowship with God and read your Bible. To many today, physical fitness has become an idol. If it means more to you than God, your life is out of balance. Jesus didn't go around telling people to exercise, but he told them to exercise faith.


In perspective, bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness profits a lot. Bodily exercise may make your body less vulnerable to certain illnesses, but it won't get rid of some pesky viruses that go around. On the other hand, the Word of God can get rid of those things that physical fitness by itself can't get rid of. If you really want to stay well, spend more time "working out" spiritually than you do physically. God's word is health and life to all your flesh. Think what spiritual giants some people would be if they were as serious about their spiritual health as their physical health!

How do you exercise yourself unto godliness? Spend time talking with God. Read your Bible regularly, and make a point of reading all of it, not just the parts you like. (Of course, since you are under the New Covenant, you would want to major on the New Testament, particularly the epistles.) Speak the Word out of your mouth. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Intercede for others.


It is amazing that some people refuse to "exercise themselves unto godliness" and then complain, "This faith stuff doesn't work." That would be like me going to the gym and complaining that I can't bench-press 200 pounds when the most I ever did all year was 30 pounds at of those mini-health clubs at a hotel. In both the spiritual and the natural, if you don't exercise yourself, you'll get out of shape!

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