Keys to Physical and Spiritual Health

by Kenny Kepper

CENTRAL — Why do we encourage exercise, eating healthier, and being physically fit?  We live in a culture where everything is done for us.

We are the “Microwave Generation,” we want it immediately and handed to us.  If we were to visit other countries, we would see the people walk more instead of drive everywhere, working in gardens and hunting instead of grocery shopping, fetching water in buckets instead of turning on a faucet at the sink inside the house, chopping wood to build a fire for warmth and cooking instead of turning a switch to heat the house or stove.

We do live in a blessed country, but it is not always to our advantage when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.  Because of technology, our industry, and love of money we have been introduced to a sedentary lifestyle.  Therefore, in order to combat obesity and other health risks, we encourage and promote a healthier way of living.

Just as we encourage physical health, it is vital to the soul to promote spiritual health. Scripture says in 1 Timothy 4:8 “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.”

Godly exercise has more value and gain than does bodily exercise; not that bodily exercise has none – “but godliness is profitable unto all things.”

We understand how to exercise the body, but how do we exercise godliness?  Here are four ways I believe will help promote godly exercise in our life:

1. Study the Bible.  2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Study the word of God and apply the word of God to our life.

2. Prayer.  Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;…”  Communication between us and God is a must if we want optimal spiritual health.

3. Fellowship.  Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  Accountability helps us grow stronger.

4. Worship. Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”  John 4:24 “ God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Our culture has not only affected our physical health but our spiritual health as well.  Many churches in our nation have opened the doors to a tolerant, compromising culture – “Give them what they want and they will come.”

If the church is not careful and doesn’t promote godly exercise, it will be hard to tell the difference between the Church of Christ and a fast food restaurant —  we would enter a building to get satisfied and it better be quick, easy, and cheap.  The Burger King church says, “Have it your way.”

Christ the King church says, “I am the way.”  The healthier way doesn’t always taste that great and there is a lot of sacrifice, but I promise you this: the benefits are out of this world.