How should a Christian view weight loss?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Christians are called to care for their bodies because each is a temple of the Holy Spirit, which can include maintaining a healthy weight. Scripture warns against gluttony and reminds us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23; 1 Timothy 4:8), giving us a framework for wise living, even with our weight. Still, we need to make sure our weight loss is done for good reasons and in good ways, relying on the Holy Spirit even in getting healthy and losing weight. Weight loss should come hand in hand with caring for our spiritual health, knowing that godliness outweighs physical training (Galatians 5:23; 1 Timothy 4:8). When we approach eating, exercise, and health with moderation, gratitude, and dependence on God, we can honor Him in both body and mind. Ultimately, we must remember that the goal isn’t a number on a scale but cultivating habits and perspectives that glorify God and reflect eternal priorities in everyday life.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Excess weight can be the result of gluttony. The Old Testament presents gluttony as unwise (Proverbs 25:16) and associated with other disreputable behaviors, such as drunkenness (Proverbs 23:20-21, 28:7).
  
• Using an example of a rebellious son, Deuteronomy characterizes such a young man as “a glutton and a drunkard” (Deuteronomy 21:20).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament also warns against gluttony. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Romans 14:17 says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Food, diets, weight loss programs, etc. aren’t harmful in and of themselves, but they become so they take our focus off Jesus.
• However, excess weight is linked to many kinds of health problems, and Christians are to be good stewards of the bodies God has given us, which may mean losing weight. Paul points out that each believer’s “body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,” and he writes, “glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The same principle applies to taking care of one’s health by, for example, losing weight if that is needed.
• But Christians must guard against making physical health, including weight loss, an idol. Paul explained that believers aren’t to “be dominated by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
• Paul later tells Timothy that “while bodily training has some value, godliness is of value in every way” (1 Timothy 4:8). Christians shouldn’t cultivate poor habits that lead to being overweight, but our focus should be on Christ, not our bodies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Keto, calorie counting, intermittent fasting—no matter what the diet, the latest one is the solution to your weight problem. . . . until you try it and find that it isn’t.

Maybe it’s time to put down the diet plans and take a biblical approach—moderation and changing your perspective. This includes praying to God to help you manifest self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. If gluttony is a problem, you can ask Him to help you overcome it so you can glorify Him even in your approach to food.

You can also change your perspective about why you’re losing weight. Ask yourself, “Am I doing this solely because I want to look good?” While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be presentable and even attractive, excessive focus on losing weight to look good is as problematic as eating to excess. Whether losing weight or doing anything else, Christians should keep the focus on Christ.

UNDERSTAND

• The body of a believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so caring for it—including losing weight when needed—is a biblical way to honor God
• Scripture warns against gluttony and reminds us to focus on godliness and self-control.
• Weight loss and health practices should be pursued with moderation and a Christ-centered perspective.

REFLECT

• How do your choices around food, exercise, and health reflect your desire to honor God in your body?
• How does practicing self-control through weight management shape your character and spiritual growth?
• How do you ensure that your primary focus is on eternal priorities rather than earthly concerns?

ENGAGE

• How can we cultivate a lifestyle that values caring for our bodies as the temple of God over other unhealthy views of the body and weight?
• How can we best engage with a culture that puts excessive focus on diets, exercise, and appearance?
• What practical steps can we take to ensure that caring for our bodies strengthens our faith rather than distracts from it?