If our bodies are a temple of God and we should look after them.?

Question

Why are there so many overweight Priests, Pastors, Preachers, Bishops etc even the Pope I mean no offense but isn't it a little hypocritical to say we can't do this this and this, but this is ok. Isn't being overweight destroying/damaging that temple like drugs and alcoholism and sexual abuse?
I am christian, serious answers only please and i mean no offense.

I agree about the medical conditions, so far thanks for the good answers.

Please nobody take this to heart, I really don't want to be offensive. I agree with a lot of points so far.

Brazil_Nut: Whatever you want to do which would not hurt your body further. Don't feel it necessary just because i brought it up, make sure you talk to your doctor about it.

I used to weigh 130kg and i'm down to 71kg in 2 years, it's been hard but i did it.

Answer 1

I understand what you mean. My father was a minister. He died at the age of 49, through heart attack. My younger brother, an elder of the same denomination, who was born after me, died at 48, also heart attack. My third brother, also pastor of the same faith but with different name, died at 47, also heart attack. My fourth brother had the same fate, heart attack at 46, but survived for a few more years. My brother in law, did not live much longer than 50, also died of heart attack. They believe that what God has created should be accepted with thanks.
I am still lving happily, healthily and usefully for Him because I believe in taking care of my body which the Bible says is the temple of the Holy Spirit so it is my obligation to keep it clean and healthy, because it is plainly said also that whoever destroy the temple of God, will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But even if there is no heaven, I will still say I have lived a happy life by being obedient to His wise command regarding foods and drinks as specified in His Word.
Even non-Christian doctors advice people against indulgence in eating meat especially the ones which are harmful to our health.
My family doctors who examined me regularly when they know about my family healh history, always remarked that I owe my life to my believe in temperance in foods and drinks as well as following the complete health principles summarized in the word: NEW START, which stands for: Nuntrition -Exercise -Water- Sunshine- Temperance - Air - Rest - Trust in God. Good quality and quantity of those 8 elements will assure us of longer and happier life.
Remember that we are what we it. We can not expect to have a good body by putting in junks or garbage.
A lot of people can postpone their death if they will only stop digging their graves with their own spoons and forks, or knives and forks, or chopsticks or their fingers.
Some finger licking good tasting foods are not really so good after all but the opposite.
Our Creator, who knows better than any doctor or nutritionist gave us the best menu in the Garden of Eden:

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food." (Genesis 1:29.)
Our stomachs and teeth prove that we are vegetarians or vegans or herbivores rather than carnivores.
But if we feel we cannot survive without eating meat or fish, than follow our Maker's advice in choosing which meat or fish are less harmful to us and has His approval, as recorded in Genesis 7:2,3
You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth."

This differentiation between clean and unclean animals was repeated in Leviticus 11.

I don't keep the rules mentioned above because I want to go to heaven or afraid to go to hell, but because I trust that my Creator who made me in His image knows what is best for me just as the maker of my car knows what kind of fuel and lubricating oil to put into it.

Answer 2

Yes, we should take care of our bodies, that's for sure. But one thing we have to keep in mind is that just because someone is overweight, it does not mean they are still committing the sin of gluttony. First of all, there are issues like thyroid problems that can cause weight gain. I was on this medication that made me gain 50 pounds. I still have not lost that weight. And I don't overeat anymore. In fact, I started going to Weight Watcher's and learned that I actually needed to eat MORE! I know that sounds ridiculous, but when I started eating the amount I was supposed to, I started losing. I've lost about 20 pounds. But I'm still overweight. But it would not be fair to judge me as a glutton now, because I don't overeat anymore.

Having said that, it is true that one of the most common problems Christians have is overeating. They don't usually drink or do drugs, but they do often overeat. Part of it is the fact that many Christians live in Western societies where the food that is readily available is just not healthy. It's easy to overeat in this environment. It takes special fortitude to be healthy when you are surrounded by fast food restaurants and you're so busy with work and everything that it seems easy to just drive through and get something from a fast-food place.

I think that one problem that SOME Christians have is that they forget that they ought to work hard to improve themselves. They are thankful for their salvation, and feel inadequate to be perfect, and so they often don't even try. I think that the Christian life however should include steady improvement. Not to gain salvation, but just because you love God and want to be the best you can be. But some Christians do not stress this so much. And that might be part of the problem.

Answer 3

I am a Christian too and you are right. It also means not to get tattoos and such either. Well, I am not overweight, but I do have tattoos from before I was saved. I wish I could get rid of them now. I also have permanent eyeliner and brow enhancement that I got recently. I did this for a good reason, and that is so I could be ready to go in a hurry and not have to take time everyday to put makeup on. I hope God understands this and will forgive me as I have asked, if I was not meant to do this. This goes as part of taking care of our temple.

Answer 4

I think it is. but it is a little different, in the way that it is such a balancing act for people. we have to eat and eating is good, but eat a little too much and you get fat. If you are morbidly obese pastor, I would say you need to reevaluate the way you eat. I know a pastor who is probably 350 or 400 pounds, maybe more. he is huge, and it does unfortunately take away from him being able to preach the gospel. The reason it is not addressed more is because eating in itself is not wrong. Plus most americans are fat anyways, they don't have any right pointing their chubby finger at anyone else.

Answer 5

I think a more serious answer would be why is it that we eat such things as pork or shellfish...
our bodys are temples and those are abominations.

Since God doesnt chage and scripture doesn't contradict, anything said in leviticus (stating what food is and what food isnt)
Cannot be contradicted anywhere else in scripture.

If jesus made all food clean, then he isn't talking about pork or shell fish because it isn't food.

And peters vision was about the gentiles... In case anyone was going there.

And last thing, If you think that the law was done away with, check hebrew 8:10

Answer 6

you are absolutely right. People do need to be aware of this and strive to make their body more healthy. They are also talking about putting alcohol and cigerettes and drugs into it too. I actually do have ministers that I know well that strive to stay in a certain weight limit. Not because of vanity but just for the reasons you mention.

Answer 7

i agree that the sin of overeating - gluttony - is one that isn't preached much from our pulpits!!!

I know a lot of people want to lose weight but lack the motivation and/or self-discipline. Godly examples of self-control would really help, i believe.

i wonder what would happen if every church instead of having church suppers regularly would have church fasts regularly!

I have been in churches - small churches - where if the congregation had been invited into noah's ark, they would have sunk the boat. it is sad and i agree with you.

but, remember, we pray for those, encourage those - and do not cast stones...

god bless!!

Answer 8

i dont understand ,what's wrong with overweight priests and pope?is being overweight a sin?and some just cant help it because being overweight is not something they choose to be but its in their jenes ,its hereditory .no doubt they do over eat at times and consume alcohol but thats not a sin.
jesus has said what you consume via your mouth does'nt make you unclean cause that goes to your stomach and out of your body but what comes out of your mouth comes from your heart ,you speak what your heart is full of and that makes you unclean.
certainly drugs only in medicines.

Answer 9

Sometimes, the conflict with our desires of rich foods and excess can lead to an unhealthy body image. And while I fully agree and admire the particular passage of the Bible that you are reffering to, we must all gravitate towards a higher level of tolerance and acceptance towards others. To me, this passage refers to refraining from tatooes.

Answer 10

i'm a seventh day adventist christian , so ihear ya bro,we try to follow a healthy life style ( mainly vegetarian ,lean meat , no pork- booze or tobaccy) , i admit i'm a bit overwieght but i'm working on it , most other religions seem to miss the point or pick n choose what bits they want , most of our ministers are figures of health & very fit
cheers:
paul :-}