How Christians Should Behave In Regards To Health And Fitness

[Anonymous]

In regards to health and fitness, too many people take a very individualistic approach. They say, "I take care of myself, and I am fit and able. Fat people are fat, because they don't take care of themselves. They deserve it." I believe that this mindset is too individualistic and counter-productive to a godly society.

Christians should not think like this. As Christians, we are called to serve people, regardless of belief, and lead people to Christ. We are to admire the Christians who lived before us and had holy lives.

Instead of thinking, "fat people are fat and lazy", we should befriend fat people. Fat people are one of today's marginalized groups, along with sexual and ethnic minorities. While the atheist may lead a live-and-let-live lifestyle, the Christian may lead a lifestyle of godly intervention and compassion.

Fat people need to be saved. There must be an underlying reason why a fat person is fat, and I am not buying the old "free will" argument. I do not believe that a fat person wants to be fat or unhealthy. I believe that there are environmental pressures that lead the fat person to make unhealthy choices, which then spin around into a perpetual vicious cycle. Someone needs to intervene and rescue the person by breaking the chain.

Sometimes, the underlying reason is that a person is emotionally depressed and uses fatty comfort food to fill up the emptiness. The person may be psychologically addicted to sugar or uncomfortable around the texture and taste of whole fruits and vegetables. The person may be extremely shy and would eat fast food regularly, hoping to get fat and become unattractive. Whatever the case may be, I believe that fat people are better off, if they are spiritually healthy and their lives revolve around God instead of material things.

Salvation only comes, when a person genuinely believes in the Lord. Only God can save; Christians can only point to God. That said, if a person does not believe regardless of the amount of effort the Christian puts in, then the person may be a lost cause. But then, a change of heart takes time. If a Christian brings a healthy dish to a potluck dinner, then the fat person may want to imitate that. The desire to imitate a godly Christian lifestyle may be a sign that God is working inside the person and pushing the person toward a righteous, healthful life.

Obviously, the example above requires that Christians are expected to be on their best behavior. If Christians behave poorly and show a bad example, then non-Christians would take that and assume incorrectly about God. In that respect, Christians must lead a godly life to the best of their ability, even though perfection is not obtainable.

I have written this myTake from an explicit Christian perspective, because I have no idea how to secularize Christian thought and make it palatable to a secular audience. The thing is, there are some points in Christian thought that are just understood within Christian circles. One point is that Christianity is an ancient religion and may emphasize collectivism over individualism. Given that secular people tend to be very individualistic in belief and lifestyle, they may not comprehend the values of collectivism. Worse, they may misunderstand collectivism as some kind of tyranny over the individual. So, that's why I explicitly mention Christianity in this Take quite a few times.

[btbc92]

Overall I enjoy the MyTake, but I have to say that is is not enough for anybody to have a solid foundation of Christ and how to remain fit and treat others. However what you need to understand is that there is spiritual things as work and people under bondage of sin. Its not just that: "fat people are fat and lazy", but what spirit is in operation in that persons life for them to be lazy and fat in the first place. We look at what a sloth is; its a person who is lazy and doesn't want to lift up a finger at anything, no matter how hard or simple it can be. Then you also have gluttony, which makes a person eat more than they should, thus it puts on those pounds. Then you have controlling spirits which influences how a person walks in this life. While we can get to know a person, but that depends on who wants to get help or be helped in the first place. Without proper discernment and getting to the root of the problem, we can't help them in those ways except pray and be an example in their lives. At the same time, this shouldn't just be for Christians alone. This isn't an exclusive group. This should apply for everyone.

However one thing you do have wrong. Not every non-Christian assumes wrong with God. Because there is plenty of so-called Christians that do the same. The same friends I have now weren't Christian before and now they finally came over to Christ and go the church to serve him. " Someone needs to intervene and rescue the person by breaking the chain." Only thorough God's will can this be achieved. If the person's heart is closed off, he will not budge unless that person will open their heart to him. Then if its for you to do, he will lead you in his spirit, not by our will and own understanding.

[myTake Owner]

I should have made clear that that someone is God who needs to intervene and rescue the person by breaking the chain. I did mention this explicitly in a later paragraph, though.

[myTake Owner]

I see there are two different kinds of people in the world. I do not categorize people as "Christian" or "non-Christian". Instead, I put people in two separate categories: "people who actively attempt to follow God" and "people who willingly refuse". That simplifies all earthly categorizations and self-identifications.

[myTake Owner]

By the way, it is possible for people from one category to move to another, and the ultimate goal in life is to move toward the first category.

[Redstang88]

Well written and well intended, I do agree with much of what you said. But I do have a bit of a bone to pick over this. I say this only as friendly advice to help understand a different point of view.
It is attitude like that irritates non-believers so much. The level of condescension from even well meaning religious types, not just Christians, gets on your nerves. Think about how many times, in this take and in other conversations where religion comes up, you use the words "saved", "righteous", "led to" or "devoted to God".
I was raised Christian but quickly grew out of it. I'm a lifelong realist, I believe in what I can see, hear and touch. I realized I was building my whole belief system around nothing. Some can live their lives based on a gut feeling, but I'm not one of them. I truly envy those who can simply believe, I just can't govern my life by the words of a book written thousands of years ago, translated back and forth through several languages and modified and interpreted countless times.
Just the thoughts of someone that can't figure out what he's being saved from. Something to consider.

[btbc92]

You need to have a relationship with Christ himself first. It doesn't sound like you were even saved to begin with. If you don't personally seek him, just like you would seek to get a girlfriend in eagerness, then what do you expect to happen? Its not magic. You get saved from damnation, sin, the wickedness of the world. As human beings we are prone to sin, due to the sin nature that Adam and Eve brought on to us, and we pay the heavy price as their descendants. Sin grows stronger with each generation and becomes a curse. These church are not teaching the whole truth. And that is why we have so much error, and it turns away people like you, who is confused and doesn't understand the purpose of being a follower and believer in Christ, so you rather go your own way.

I believe a lot of Christians, especially carnal minded ones needs to stop being so judgmental on people like you, and try to have a better understanding of how the person feels. You don't have the holy spirit so it...

[btbc92]

makes since as to why you feel the way you do. The only thing I can tell you is that I have always wanted to know God. Before my mother passed away last year, soon to be a year this December, she was in big trouble with God. She stopped going to church when I was still little, and haven't been to church in so many years until I was about 19-20. She came back to the Lord when I was 17 going on 18. And she has been struggling since. But when she ended up with cancer and MS, it crushed her. But she remained strong and wanted to live. She found purpose and peace with him. Others needs to find their own ground and understanding of his ways. He pursues all of us, but its us who choses to not do it.

I believe what you need right now is more love from people who understand you and love you enough to want you to be in a better place before you leave this life. Because life she so short. I only had 23 years with my mom. This year is the first year without her. You have a choice.

[btbc92]

is so short*

[Redstang88]

@btbc92 This is pretty much the point I was trying to make. I choose not to believe, short of conclusive proof I won't change my mind. As for being saved from "damnation, sin and the wickedness of the world" - heaven and hell is again a matter of belief. I don't see any shred of evidence it exists. Bad things happen regardless of what you believe in. And "sins" are way too much fun, not giving that up.
You're right, I have a choice. My choice was to look at the evidence and drop religion. I don't need to be saved.

[btbc92]

@Redstang88 Your right it is your choice. It is your free will. You say you want evidence, but I will say this. Remember to be careful what you asked for. Because things are not going to be how you expect within the next couple of years. But this has nothing do with religion. Believing in God is a relationship. One you personally don't want to have. But just following the church building with no relationship is just religion.

[Fathoms77]

I am more than willing to help those who can't help themselves.

If you're of able mind and body, you can take responsibility for your own life. It's not my responsibility, just as my life is nobody's responsibility but my own. I'm more than happy to give advice but saying, "aw, it's okay" and patting overweight people on the shoulder to make them feel better does nothing for them, and nothing for society as a whole. They can have all the help and education they wish; in the end, they're the ones who have to make the change... because it's their life.

[myTake Owner]

Yep, you just summed up the live-and-let-live mindset that I referenced in the Take.

[rosetyler1234]

Fathoms77 You just helped me figure one of my questions. Thanks for answering it.

[Shaft50]

Um, not all Christians are fit and able... I have seen a fair few overweight Christians in my time.
My belief is that for Christians to be able to serve, 'as Christ' served, the work that Christians are doing for God would best be done with excellence, so why not be at your most physically capable. After all, the parable of the talents was not just about money, but was in regards to whatever has been given, be good stewards and increase on it.

[YourName123]

I'm all for your helping attitude, but at some point we need to be in your face and start telling people in this country to start being accountable for themselves and not just their weight. Especially now that we are all forced to share in their healthcare costs.

this constant "forgiving" of everyone's bad decisions is getting expensive. We need to have some consequences.

If you are fat you use more healthcare so you should pay more. then they will seek out your help

[Sweetgirl1108]

Does that include girls who are irresponsible and keep having babies? It should

[Anonymous]

What does being a Christian of be of any religjon has to do with being healthy and fit? What is the relationship? i see no relevance on it. Sorry but this article make no sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I think this is horrible advice, I will never be a Christian lmao

[desidoll]

No one ask you to.

[Anonymous]

I think you ought not tell Christians what they should do. That is none of your concern.

[Rissyanne]

I think people need to live their own life.

[Scrambledagain]

Lol... jesus did crossfit 😂😂

[Adigelunar]

xGood post