I remember reading something that I'm pretty sure Steve wrote... I thought here on the forum... about self esteem and weight issues. Talking about how even in the Scriptures being "fat" was referred to as a good thing.
We have a friend who is talking on their blog about overweight Christians and how it is a sin, and it frustrates me because I have talked to several girls who feel so trapped in their weight and feel like guys like this who are talking about Christians being overweight are looking down on them for being an extra 20-30 pounds above the "ideal" body weight for their frame.
Anyway, I'm wanting to respond to this guy, but I really need those verses, so if anyone remembers where they are, that would be great!
PS - He also is using 1 Cor 3:16-17 about our body being a temple of the Holy Spirit and not destroying the temple. Seems to be taking the verse a little far in my opinion! I would welcome comments about this as well!
Looking for thread on self esteem and weight issues...
Looking for thread on self esteem and weight issues...
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
"How is it that Christians today will pay $20 to hear the latest Christian concert, but Jesus can't draw a crowd?"
- Jim Cymbala (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire) on prayer meetings
- Jim Cymbala (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire) on prayer meetings
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No, not yet! Maybe it was on one of his notes from a teaching he did, but I thought he answered a question about it on the forum. Hmm... if anyone can find anything please let me know! Thanks!
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
"How is it that Christians today will pay $20 to hear the latest Christian concert, but Jesus can't draw a crowd?"
- Jim Cymbala (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire) on prayer meetings
- Jim Cymbala (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire) on prayer meetings
The following verses do not advocate that people seek to be overweight, but they certainly do not give any reason to think fatness to be a sin:
Proverbs 11:25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 28:25
...he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
When people use the "your body is a temple of God" argument and seek to apply it to diet considerations, they are generally missing the whole context of and concern inherent in Paul's statement . Paul is arguing against the moral desecration of the body through fornication—not addressing the obligation to maintain the body in fitness and good health.
In the immediate context of the statement, "do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" (1 Cor.6:19) Paul also clarifies: "Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them [decisions about eating are primarily temporal concerns]. Now the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord" (1 Cor.6:13).
Our concern about the body being a temple translates into our determination to keep it sacred and morally pure—not so much to be concerned about its comfort or appearance. I enjoy being in good health, and attempt to eat well and stay fit, but that is not always possible—nor is it a moral obligation. Only in our modern western culture has health and fitness been elevated to a mandate. Paul's personal life choices certainly were not conducive to his bodily health (1 Cor. 4:11/ 2 Cor. 1:8-9/ 4:16/ 11:23-27).
Of course, as with everything else, we are to make our choices concerning eating and drinking "to the glory of God," rather than simply to please our palates (1 Cor.10:31). To maintain a level of good health, within the realm of our our possible options in the will of God, might well be seen as a stewardship issue. To maintain a reasonable degree of fitness and to be well-groomed might be chosen out of concern for the glory of God, but it would be a personal stewardship choice, not anyone else's business to judge another about.
I will say, however, that married people should be more aware than they generally are of how their "letting themselves go" physically may present extra trials and temptations to their spouses, who live in a world full of images of young, sexy people. Obviously, Christians must learn to control their eyes and their thoughts, regardless what they may encounter in their environment, but it seems unwise and unloving for one to impose unnecessary hardship in this area upon an already embattled spouse (1 Cor.7:5).
Proverbs 11:25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 28:25
...he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
When people use the "your body is a temple of God" argument and seek to apply it to diet considerations, they are generally missing the whole context of and concern inherent in Paul's statement . Paul is arguing against the moral desecration of the body through fornication—not addressing the obligation to maintain the body in fitness and good health.
In the immediate context of the statement, "do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" (1 Cor.6:19) Paul also clarifies: "Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them [decisions about eating are primarily temporal concerns]. Now the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord" (1 Cor.6:13).
Our concern about the body being a temple translates into our determination to keep it sacred and morally pure—not so much to be concerned about its comfort or appearance. I enjoy being in good health, and attempt to eat well and stay fit, but that is not always possible—nor is it a moral obligation. Only in our modern western culture has health and fitness been elevated to a mandate. Paul's personal life choices certainly were not conducive to his bodily health (1 Cor. 4:11/ 2 Cor. 1:8-9/ 4:16/ 11:23-27).
Of course, as with everything else, we are to make our choices concerning eating and drinking "to the glory of God," rather than simply to please our palates (1 Cor.10:31). To maintain a level of good health, within the realm of our our possible options in the will of God, might well be seen as a stewardship issue. To maintain a reasonable degree of fitness and to be well-groomed might be chosen out of concern for the glory of God, but it would be a personal stewardship choice, not anyone else's business to judge another about.
I will say, however, that married people should be more aware than they generally are of how their "letting themselves go" physically may present extra trials and temptations to their spouses, who live in a world full of images of young, sexy people. Obviously, Christians must learn to control their eyes and their thoughts, regardless what they may encounter in their environment, but it seems unwise and unloving for one to impose unnecessary hardship in this area upon an already embattled spouse (1 Cor.7:5).
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
In Jesus,
Steve
Steve