Before I became saved some time ago, I was a bodybuilder and it lead me to be an extremely vain person. I stopped working out because I realized my appearance had become one of my "idols" and I didn't want anything getting in the way of my relationship with God. I believe I'm past the "it's all about me" mindset and know how to put God first in my life; I've been considering returning to body building, although I wouldn't compete because it's too immodest.
Have any of you given up a pre-salvation idol, no matter what it was, and resumed it again after you became spiritually mature? What are your experiences?
If you don't want to comment publicly, please feel free to send me a message or go to my 360 page. Thanks for your input.
Peace.
2006-11-01 06:31:30 · 19 answers · asked by Suzanne: YPA 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have to say, the truth is, I really miss working out. Appearance issues aside, I greatly enjoy the challenge this sport presents.
And I could carry all my groceries in the house in one trip!
2006-11-01 06:33:33 · update #1
There is nothing wrong in and of itself with pursuing a path of vigorous physical conditioning.
If you are in regular contact with God, ask him specifically that he help you remain vigilant over one of your possible pitfalls--namely, vanity. If you are earnest in your desire to remain faithful to God and not to fall into self-adoration, it is highly probable that God will continue tempering your spirit in this regard.
One thing that I have experienced is that I have had to give my natural gifts back to God so that he may set me in right relation to them. For example, God gave me a degree of intelligence, and I used to be prideful about it, believing that since I had a different degree of intellectual capacity than others that I was better than most. When I accepted salvation and asked God to teach me humility, one thing I needed to surrender to him was my intellectual pride. What God has shown me--and it has been a process--is that he can and will clarify my mind so that he may best use my capacities for his own glory, not mine. In my surrendering my pride to my creator, God has allowed me to continue utilizing my abilities, but he has also given me the ability to question the previous underlying assumptions so that I may find them to be false.
In other words, and in short, the fact that I have a measure of intelligence just means I have a gift from God. It places me neither above nor below anyone else. If I place myself below God--where I belong--then God places me in right relation to myself and others.
I would suggest that you pursue this path, and be ever vigilant. Ask God to reveal to you when and if you are tempted to become vain again. Ask his infinite mercy and strength in guiding you to remain humble while pursuing that which brings you challenge and pleasure.
Best to you in your walk with Christ.
2006-11-01 06:40:03 · answer #1 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar thing, although it will sound silly, but it's true. Shortly after I accepted Jesus seriously, I thought that my model railroad hobby was a false idol as well. (OK laughing is allowed) So I boxed up everything that I had in that area and sold or gave it away. That was over 30 years ago.
Today, I enjoy the hobby more than ever as just that, a hobby that I take or leave at will and just generally have fun with. However, I also have been a contributing editor to an internationally published hobby magazine for 16 years and have a modest reputation in that arena.
So, I would say that you should resume working out. Use it as a time when you mentally chat with Jesus. Nothing like going over current events with the Master while you're doing your reps.
God Bless Ya!
2006-11-01 06:48:08 · answer #2 · answered by Bruce 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, my experience was nothing like body-building.....you see, I used to play basketball all throughout my childhood, highschool and when I first started college.....apparently, I was really good and had all these scouts coming to every game that I played....of course, I started having a "holier than thou" attitude....I used to think that since I was such a great basketball player that I was some kinda star.....I was the classic wanna-be jock....then I started to feel that I needed something more in my life then just being an athletic superstar so I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour.....afterwards, I was pretty hesitant about playing basketball again coz I thought that I'd pick up that old mentality I had.....but I realized that God is the true superstar and that nothing I ever achieve in any sport will compare to what he'll be able to give me.....so now I play without any doubts, fears or worries coz I know that God will help me secure my head firmly on my shoulders.....the same should apply to you...no matter what you're going through God will get you through it...so if you wanna continue body-building then go ahead.....just remember that as long as you put God first in your life before everything else then you will definitely be ok....:)
2006-11-01 07:23:40 · answer #3 · answered by maverick 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes and no. I was very recently saved so I am not quiet there yet. But I was very much a friend collecter (mostly low self esteem I think) and what I did was step back form 90% of my friendships as all of them liked to drink and party and I dedicated myself to god for about 3 months and noticed who called and who didnt. I eventually touched based with everyone again and they are still aquaintences for phone calls and christmas cards and stuff but I needed to see who was with me for what reasons. A few of them have followed my example and I still don't really like to be alone but I am getting used to being on the phone a lot on Saturday instead of in a bar/club/ party with 10 girls that don't really even care about me. You may find that once you start body building again you will look at it differently. You may end up just going to the gym and keeping physically fit. Aside from not competing- be careful not to compete with yourself. Vanity and self-altering are a dangerous temptation. Pray for it a few nights and see what happens. Go to the gym and just run on the tradmill and do a few bicept curls- limit yourself to an hour or something to not get too obsessed too quickly. If you've been out for a while it'll be hard to fight the urge to run in and bulk up to where you left off. Good luck and God bless! email me if you need to talk!
2006-11-01 07:49:44 · answer #4 · answered by Slutlana 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you feel that you have reached a point in your life where you can still continue to walk in the Lords will for your life then you should do what you enjoy. If you aren't sure if you could be strong enough in your walk with God to handle getting back into bodybuilding without starting to obsess about it again then you need to pray about it and ask the Lord what his will is for your life and specifically pray about body building. Ask the Lord, if this is not your will for my life then take the desire away from me. Only he has the answer that you are seeking
Good luck
2006-11-01 06:44:44 · answer #5 · answered by tambam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know, taking a breather from something that becomes obsessive is good. But I don't think Jesus would have an opinion one way or another on that one. Love God with all your heart. Care about all of creation. That's covering the basics very well.
If body building is a big part of who you are, an important part, why let that part die? Use it for God.
There is actually an organization of weight lifters, body builders, etc, who actually go out and do ministry. Can't remember their name off hand but the DO exist. Join up with them and make a difference.
2006-11-01 06:44:21 · answer #6 · answered by Jeffrey B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had an addiction to clothes before I became a Christian. I had to get rid of a lot of clothes and God told me He didn't want me buying anything. I did this and then knew when God gave me the go ahead again. I now have what I need and no more.
I realise this is not quite the same but I hope this helps.
2006-11-01 06:39:23 · answer #7 · answered by JAM 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Suzanne, great question and one that I have experienced.
I too was into body building, and this was before my conversion and it was an obsession, and of course terrific vanity.
after quite a few years I went back into b/bg and it just had no fufilment at all,I was quite surprised and a little bewildered as well.
how could something I once loved be so empty and unfulfilling now.
I finally realised that I was regressing back to former self love(vanity) and it belonged to the old man in me that St.Paul spoke off, and that I was a new man in Christ, it seemed that Jesus was saying to me , am I not enough for you that you need to find something else beside Me in yourself.
It was a wake up call to be careful not to run back into the world or should I say,the spirit of this world, which is always tempting us constantly night and day to turn away from the Lord.
of course I have experienced this in other ways too in things of my former life,so I have to remain alert to the dangers.
the evil one loves to play with our ego`s and if you take your eyes of Jesus,even for a short time you`re back on stormy waters again.
hope this helps you, God bless.
2006-11-01 06:50:29 · answer #8 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I made my husband my idol and God took him away for awhile so that he could do a work in both of us. We are back together and God is still numero uno! As long as you don't put your workout before God or let it consume you to the point where your life revolves around it agian I don't see the harm in it. Besides good health is necessary to lead a Godly balanced life. God gave you this body and I think it would honor him to take care of it. He needs strong, modest people in his kingdom. I say Go for it!!!
2006-11-01 06:41:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know you want a Christian opinion but Jesus was a Jew so I am going to give you the Jewish one ;o) It is seen as basically a commandment or good deed to exercise and take care of your body (dont worship it though). Basically, the reason for this in a nut shell, is because the better shape you're in the better you can run to do the word of God.
2006-11-01 06:40:46 · answer #10 · answered by james.parker 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You clearly love the lord, and have accepted christ. There is no sin in taking up an old hobby of lifestyle. If and when you do decide to take up bobybuilding again do it with a heart of thanksgiving and salvation. Pray to God and thank him for giving you that gift and ask that he help you keep it in it's place.
2006-11-01 06:45:42 · answer #11 · answered by BiggieRay77 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋