Joey Chestnut remains the most dominant figure in his field, leaving many to marvel at his dedication and skill. As the perennial champion of the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, he secured another victory last year by consuming 71 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes. This is a staggering leap from twenty-five years ago when 20 hot dogs were enough to win the competition. While viewers can watch this feat on ESPN, the same channel also broadcasts the CrossFit Games. These two extremes—competitive eating and elite athleticism—perfectly illustrate the body image paradox of our modern culture.
On one hand, our culture is consuming more food and fewer nutrients than ever before. While medical professionals agree this is a serious health crisis, researchers continue to debate the root causes. Some attribute the issue to the availability of cheap, high-calorie food and suggest that higher taxes are the solution. Others point to longer work hours, sedentary lifestyles, and increasing portion sizes as the primary culprits. In an era where it is easier than ever to overindulge, understanding the biblical teaching on the body is essential for navigating these complex health issues.
On the other side of this paradox, the fitness industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. According to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, the number of Americans with gym memberships has surged from 19.5 million to 62.5 million over the last 30 years. From CrossFit boxes and boot camps to high-end boutique centers and connected home equipment, the options for physical activity are vast. This booming interest in physical health highlights the growing importance of integrating exercise with faith leadership.
We can feel this personally with our own bodies. It is easier than ever to bounce back and forth between the two sides of the paradox. We are constantly tempted not to take care of the one body the Lord has given us or to make our body the focus of our lives. We live in a world where it is easier to both abuse and adore our bodies. The result is a lot of pressure and a lot of shame. Both body abuse and body adoration fail us for these two reasons:
1. Both Body Abuse and Body Adoration Make Gods Out of Good Gifts.
Food is a good gift from God. He gave us taste buds to savor and enjoy the food, and he is pleased when we enjoy each other and enjoy a great meal together. Jesus is the only person in the New Testament accused of being a glutton because the religious leaders saw him enjoying meals “those sinners and tax collectors.” Food is a good gift but we abuse food when our stomach bosses us around as our god. Our bodies are a good gift too, and any movement we can make is a gift. But our body is a terrible god. When we make food or our bodies our gods, they fail to satisfy us. There will always be another “must have meal” and another goal for our bodies. We will never look in the mirror and declare, “It is finished.” Whether our stomach or our bodies, when we glory in something other than Christ, our glory is always our disappointment and shame (Phil. 3:18).
2. Both Body Abuse and Body Adoration Focus on the Temporary.
When we abuse our bodies with food or drink, we are focused on temporary pleasure and not considering the long-term implications to our bodies. But when we adore our bodies, we are also focused on the temporary. Our earthly bodies are not going to last us forever. We can exercise and eat clean, but we are fighting the inevitable. Our bodies will fail us.
THE BETTER WAY: GLORIFY GOD WITH OUR BODIES
There is a better way. The apostle Paul reminds us: “You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19–20). We are to glorify God with our bodies, not glorify our bodies. As Christians, our bodies are sacred, as the Lord has taken up residence in our lives. If we speak poorly of your bodies we are speaking negatively about where God lives, about his house.
In the Old Testament, the temple was where God’s people would gather to worship God. It would have been sacrilegious to abuse the temple—to not value the place where God met with man. At the same time, it would have been idolatrous to worship the temple, to bow before the temple as if it were the object of adoration. The temple was not to be abused or adored. The temple was to be used as a tool to glorify God. Our bodies are now his temples. They are sacred and should be treated with care, but they must not be worshiped.
This article originally appeared on EricGeiger.com and is reposted here by permission.