Preface

This topic is NOT for those who:

• Have health problems,
• Physical defects from birth,
• Physical problems resulting from an accident,
• Physiological problems which prevent them from exercise and activities.

If you are in one of these categories, then considered yourself blessed and highly favored by God because all Christians who go through life with struggles as they will be rewarded in eternity as stated in Romans 8:18. 

Third Commandment is One Reason

It seems that the 3rd Commandment in Exodus 20:7 is not entirely understood by most Christians. 

These three thoughts concerning the 3rd Commandment are all true, but in this author's opinion the third reason is the correct understanding of the commandment. 

1. First of several interpretations is to not use profanity with God's Name.  Most of us would agree that profanity is a form of ignorance.  Additionally, using God's name in profanity is suggesting that God should damn someone or something.  Clearly, we are never to put ourselves in the place of God by assuming authority over someone else in damnation and judging. 
2. Second is to use His name correctly in specific areas of prayer and witnessing, for example "Yahweh" instead of "The Lord".  Generically in many of our English translations the term "The Lord" should have been translated with the Name of the Father in the Trinity.  We know from Matthew 6:9, Jesus tells us to call him "Father" so this is not something to divide Christians.
3. Third, the meaning is referring to how you conduct yourself in public life because we took on His name when we were born again (John 3:3) and have obtained Salvation.  Another way of understanding the commandment is when you become a Believer, you are now an ambassador of God, 2nd Corinthians 5:16 - 21 so you must conduct yourself accordingly, reflect the change and do not deny the works by Him in your life.

Being Perfected in the Image of Christ

We learn that in many scriptures like 2 Corinthians 5, that we are a new creation that is reflected in our Spirit, Soul and Body, when we accept Jesus Christ, our King, as our Savior.  When we are in our King's service, then we should be seen as someone that reflects being in our God's service through:

1. Our attitude,
2. The way we act, and
3. Our appearance.

so that someone seeing us will think to themselves about us: "there is something about that person which I would like to know and have."  From these three points, that are the among the first things that all of us judge others by, then leads to further opportunities to be:

• A witness to get someone to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• Help someone, who may be a fellow Christian, in some problem where God sent us to them for aid.
• Sometimes to open a non-believer's mind to becoming Christian at a later date, which is often called "seed planting for Jesus Christ."

Is there evidence that great men and women in the scriptures exemplified someone who was in good physical shape?  The answer is yes and it was not for pride, but because they were serving God.  Consider Moses when he was described in Deuteronomy 34:7 as still being in good physical condition at 120 years old.

Some may argue that God preserved him and that is certainly true, but there is more than that in this author's opinion.  Did Moses have an active lifestyle serving God which included the dietary regiments of Israel?  The answer has to be yes, and if it was possible for Moses, then is certainly possible for men and women now.

In Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2nd Corinthians 5:16-21 "The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation."  Notice that there is an inward transformation that accompanies the outward reformation. 

Many more scriptures could be brought up pointing out that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior then there is a transforming that begins:

• In our Spirit, and
• In our way of thinking in our Soul

all of which should affect the way we treat our physical body.  As an example, many of us have seen the transformation of people who were formerly drug addicts who then changed their entire life after accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.  The Holy Spirit began a work in their life that often did incredible changes to even the outer appearance of the former drug addict.  This author has endeavored to always listen to the witness of the Holy Spirit in my life to always improve all areas of my life which includes eating habits, exercise and sleep.

We know from John 7:24 to not judge anyone from the outward appearance. This topic is not pointing out we should judge anyone on the way they look, but it is the opinion of this writer that the non-Believing world does judge us by the way:

• We look, and
• How we act

which is one reason of many that physical appearance is important. 

Image the World Sees of Christians

The professing Christian in Movies, TV, books and too often in life are almost always seen and shown in a negative way as:

• Being the one late to work.
• Cheating on commitments in all categories in life.
• Not looking as if God has fixed anything in their life.
• Physically unattractive.
• Prude and Naive.

Unfortunate as this is, we know there is battle in our minds against our fallen nature, and also an unseen spiritual battle occurring all the time around us, where:

1. The non-Believer is looking for reasons to not become a Believer where any of the five bullet points mentioned are going to be noticed. 
2. If there are any reasons the non-Believer, is not going to see a Christian not reflecting the Faith and Actions of a true Christian, then the Satanic Realm will give the thought into the mind of the non-Believer to take notice. 
3. Additionally, the Satanic Realm is going to speak deception so the Christian needs to be vigilante to reflect the gift and ambassadorship of being a Believer.

Obviously, all of us as Christians are in different stages of progress of greater maturity with God, so mistakes will always be happening.  We are all "a work in progress" and when we first come to Christ then the Holy Spirit begins a work in us.  The point is being an Ambassador for our God, is the five bullet points are not a difficult starting point for all Christians to reflect to the non-Believers in the world.

Another aspect to our Christian life's appearance and actions is the famous question, when asked "if you are a Christian?"  The answer should be "that is for you to decide and you to tell me."  If we took on the responsibility in the King's Service, then others should see it. 

Christians Should Not be Offended

If this topic is offensive, then you are not understanding the purpose of the topic.  Consider multiple scriptures such as Psalm 139:14, 3 John 1:2 and Corinthians 6:19 that speak about our bodies are wonderfully made.  We should be endeavoring to be in the good health for all the reasons already stated and our body has become a temple for the Holy Spirit.

Another very important health reason is our physical mind needs to have the fullest potential at all ages, which comes from good health.  As we age, studies are showing that exercise and nutritional supplements help in cognitive recognition, memory and the thinking process. 

Rhetorically, isn't this what we want at all ages?  Our greatest joy in this life is growing in love, faith, fellowship and understanding with our Creator which can be hindered by of course sin but also by our unwillingness to take care of our temporary earthly temple.   Some scripture references:

Suggestions

For some general suggestions on maintaining your health. 

1. Refrain completely from sodas if possible or limit yourself to one or two a week.  This is for both regular and especially diet sodas.
2. Refrain from sugar snacks completely.  
3. Refrain from wheat products such as bread and refined grains.  
4. Consult your Doctor if needed, and begin an exercise program.  A good idea is to exercise at least 4 times a week such as:
   (a) A brisk mile or more walk / run,
   (b) A long bike ride,
   (c) Swimming in a pool, lake or ocean,
   (d) Lifting/exercising with weights, and
   (e) AB Roller Wheel exercise instead of sit-ups.  This author substituted sit-ups with a bar-wheel to kneel on a pillow and roll out perpendicular and then retract.  
5. Do not over eat ever.  If you feel full then you have eaten too much.
6. Eat at least 3 meals a day that are balanced with all the food groups.   Do not eat a heavy meal before going to bed for the night.
7. If you need a snack, consider fruits.  A great easy snack at night might be some fruit.
8. Do not drink alcohol more than a few times a week and never in excess.
9. Research and find out what Supplements and Vitamins are a good choice for you at all ages.
10. Exercise, that should include the uses of weights, is very important for our brain's neurobiological health which keeps or improves our brain's structure, function and cognitive abilities (BDNF). 

What to read next?

Diet Sodas, Sex, Sugar, Supplements and Vitamins, Water, Microwave Use, Nap - Power Nap