A Christian Approach to Health and Wellness: Godliness the Foundation

The Bible has left no topics untouched concerning how we ought to conduct our lives in all aspects — social, work-life, ethical matters, family, relationships, and even the care of our bodies, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. On the topic of bodily discipline and exercise, the Scriptures explicitly reference several verses:

1 Timothy 4:8: "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

1 Corinthians 9:27: "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Romans 12:1: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Ephesians 5:29-30: "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

It is evident that God places significant importance on bodily discipline and care. Therefore, it is crucial not to neglect or abuse our bodies with unhealthy lifestyles and gluttonous food indulgences. Instead, we are admonished to nurture functional bodies to be useful vessels for God.

Jim Elliot, a Christian missionary to the Auca tribe of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest and martyr, was passionate about athletics. When asked why he was so interested in athletics, he responded:

Jim Elliot - "I do not wonder that you are interested in the question of athletics, for I am myself. And I must say that I have been greatly helped in my Christian life by the discipline and the training which I received on the athletic field. I believe that athletics can be a wonderful means of developing Christian character, and I believe that the lessons learned on the athletic field can be of immense value in the Christian life."

Jim Elliot also wrote:

"I want to be a burning and a shining light, and I want my life to be a useful sacrifice to the Lord."

In order for us to function as useful vessles in the hands of God and carry out our lives purpose and calling - we have to steward and nurture a healthy lifestyle and it is a non-negotiable aspect for a Christian to lead healthy lifestyle that supports our mission of fruitful labour for the Lord. But in this blog - I am calling out our attention to another problem our world is seeing in relation to excessive focus on health and wellness - to an extend that we are turning body care and fitness obsessions to an idolatrous degree - than as a means to steward it for leading a functional life for God.

Here is little bit of state of affairs where this space of wellness stands as of now:

The fitness and wellness world, once considered a niche pursued by athletes, Navy seals, high performance individuals & celebrities aiming for physically challenging goals like running marathons or training for professional sports, ehanced physical appeal in case of movie stars or special military operations is no longer exclusive. What was once known only to celebrities and sports stars is now common, accessible by all, and commoditized. Fitness apps, gym memberships are sky rocketing. Diet formats like carnivore, Keto, paleo, and their many variants—arguably driven by science—are showing significant benefits for population health.

However, this shift has also led to a growth in an idolatrous and obsessive fashion in many cases, where people follow these trends to enhance human performance and longevity to the extent of even trying to escape mortality itself. This has often turned into a culture of excessive self-love. A recent Netflix documentary, Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, profiles Bryan Johnson, an eccentric rich lifehacker, showcasing this idolatrous pursuit of eternal youth and life. People has defined way of life and almost religious and some cultish way how certain proponents and groups has evolved around health & wellness. This includes exclusive clubs and retreats to try different expensive supplements & detox protocols, therapies and practices - which are an overkill if you objectively look at them - the reason for the bullion dollar industry this has turned out to be. Plant medicine, CBDs and Mushroom based experience seeking & recreational drugs - all symptomatic of pursuit of self-love, seeking for new dopamine highs and excessive indulgence and almost defining new ways of life and pursuits of peace and success. There are enshrined guru's and leaders in this space with a growing follower base. They market their new findings and experiences and practices through their social media channels like instagram and facebook - and has answers to all lives problems and growing their fans and follower base.

These are all symptomatic of man's pursuit for peace and wellbeing - in itself is not bad, but issue is we don't need all this expensive and exogenous triggers to lead a happy and content life.

The Rise of the Fitness and Wellness Industry

The fitness and wellness industry has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, primarily fuelled by the shortcomings of modern medicine in addressing health holistically. Modern allopathic medicine often focuses on playing with bio-chemistry of the isolated pathology in question rather than always taking a holistic approach to treating the root cause and complete reversal and healing of the system. This approach can create a vicious cycle of side effects and lifelong dependency on medication. But our modern urban lifestyles, environment, proliferation of packaged non-real foods etc has forced allopathic treatment protocols to be the only viable option for chronic diseases and conditions.

In contrast, the wellness and functional medicine space—(though less studied and funded as of now)—has shown promise in disease reversal and achieving health through lifestyle, dietary changes, and supplements, by looking at the problem of health and wellbeing from a first-principles lens, rather than the allopathic approach of addressing the disease pathology biochemically, with modern medicines and interventions. This alternative approach aims to heal and reverse chronic conditions rather addressing the root cause than manage them indefinitely. I have personally benefited from adopting a fitness and dietary program, which led me to create my online platform, intuneliving.me.

However, my outlook toward health & wellness has drastically changed from my growing relationship and understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ & the scriptures on this matter. We are to priorities a life of godliness for the purpose of doing God's will and living out our calling for life, rather than anything else - even good intention pursuit of health and fitness can miss the mark. Physical health and wellness need to be seen as a means to that end - not an end in itself, like how it is portrayed and seen now a days. We are called to "Seek God's kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto us" (Matt. 6:33)

The Godliness Perspective: A Blueprint for Lasting Wellness

While the fitness industry may captivate us with promises of quick fixes and aesthetic perfection, its methods often leave us chasing fleeting results. On the other hand, practices rooted in godliness offer a sustainable and deeply fulfilling alternative—a lifestyle that nourishes both the body and soul.

The Wisdom of Moderation

One of the fundamental principles of godliness is moderation, which extends to every facet of life, including health. The Bible teaches that self-control, a fruit of the Spirit, is integral to our growth and well-being. In practical terms, this means mindful eating: consuming food that sustains rather than overindulging in what pleases the palate momentarily.

Modern fitness culture often encourages overindulgence in protein shakes, pre-workout supplements, and rigid calorie counting. In contrast, godliness invites us to approach food with gratitude, knowing that it is a provision for our mission in life, not an end in itself. Praying that it would be blessed and bear strength to our body to carryout lives duties and tasks for the day. Eating to 70-75% fullness, pausing to listen to our bodies, and fasting occasionally are habits that cultivate not only physical health but also spiritually draw near to God and grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Lord Jesus in deeper ways.

Rest as a Discipline

In today’s relentless pursuit of productivity, rest is undervalued—both by the fitness industry and society at large. Godliness, however, places rest and rejuvenation at the heart of a balanced life. Rest is not just about physical recovery but also about spiritual alignment. Practices like deep breathing and proper hydration become acts of worship when done with the intention of stewarding the body that God has given us.

Box breathing, for example, calms the nervous system and promotes clarity of mind, reinforcing that health isn’t just about high-intensity workouts or tracking every calorie but about cultivating peace within, so that we can be effective vessels useful for the Lord.

Purpose Beyond the Mirror

Fitness often emphasizes external transformation: building muscle, shedding pounds, and meeting societal ideals of attractiveness. Godliness, by contrast, shifts the focus inward. It reminds us that our purpose is far greater than achieving a number on a scale or a certain body-fat percentage. Instead, our mission is to glorify God in all that we do, whether it’s how we care for our bodies, how we work, or how we nurture relationships.

This perspective brings freedom. When our health habits are grounded in godliness, we find balance rather than obsession. We no longer feel the pressure to meet external expectations but are instead motivated by a desire to honor God with our choices.

A Holistic Approach to Movement

The fitness industry often pushes extremes—marathon-level endurance or hours of weight training. While physical activity is important, godliness teaches us to find joy in movement that strengthens without exhausting. Practices like walking, light strength training, or even household chores can be seen as opportunities to care for our bodies while being mindful of our limits.

Excessive exercise, while often promoted as beneficial, can push the body beyond its limits, leading to fatigue, injuries, and the accumulation of harmful byproducts in the body. Over time, these residues can become toxic, undermining the very health such routines aim to build. In contrast, godliness emphasizes stewardship of our bodies—a balanced approach that prioritizes care, wisdom, and intention. As temples of the Holy Spirit, our bodies are to be nurtured and respected, not overworked or strained unnecessarily. This perspective encourages sustainable practices that promote long-term health and vitality, rather than short-lived extremes that risk wear and tear.

Conclusion: Living the Difference

The contrast between the fitness industry's approach and the practice of godliness is best summarized by 1 Timothy 4:8: “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” While physical exercise has its benefits, it is temporary and primarily focused on the outward body. Godliness, however, transforms every aspect of life—physical, emotional, and spiritual—offering both immediate fulfillment and eternal promise.

In today’s culture, the pursuit of fitness often thrives on an adrenaline rush—the fleeting high of intense workouts, competition, or the validation of external achievements. But this rush is unsustainable, leaving us dependent on cycles of overexertion and burnout. In contrast, Christ offers us a deeper, lasting strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. His promise is not rooted in temporary energy but in an inner strength that sustains us through all seasons of life. As Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

The next time you find yourself drawn to the latest fitness trend or a pursuit that prioritizes outward gains over inner growth, pause and reflect: am I seeking temporary gratification, or am I choosing to honor God with my body and my life? Godliness provides a roadmap for lasting health, peace, purpose & a functional approach to health & wellness. It is a lifestyle that nourishes not only our physical health but also our soul, offering a fulfillment far greater than anything the world could ever provide.