1 Corinthians 7:4
The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.
Taking the words of many preachers, ‘That (sermon) will preach!’ I’m a part-time personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Being physically fit is my lifestyle! Being passionate and capable of helping others reach their fitness goals is a joy and blessing. There’s reward in hearing a client’s testimony of their spouse’s praise of their new outlook on life and body transformation. It’s dual rewarding. The client feels, looks, and reacts better; in return, there spouse is positively effected in many ways. There’s purpose in pushing a person to reach their physical fitness potential.
2 Timothy 3:16 states that all scripture is God inspired and profitable for correcting and instructing towards righteousness. 1 Corinthians 7:4 demonstrates God inspiring Paul to inform husbands and wives that there bodies belong not only to them, but their spouse. In the ‘do what feel goods and what’s best for me’ post-modern society which we reside, a few words regarding this matter can be greeted with a mental embrace or ‘slap’. Our western society is full of overweight people with bad diets and exercise habits to follow. A subject that is lightly covered in the Christian community. In my opinion, it’s a major obstacle in marital happiness. I did not say ‘joy’, which is something that can not be taken away, but the emotions connected to being happy. Excited to see your spouse naked, truly proud of yourself/your spouse when walking into a room and admiring yourself/them in a new outfit or swimsuit is questionably non-existent in our Christian culture. When we marry regardless of how our spouse looks, hopefully, we have decided to love our significant other through ‘thick and thin’. How nice is it when the latter part (thin) of this saying applies? As we age, many different changes happen to our bodies. However, we are responsible to diet and exercise in preventing diseases and stress which plays an integral role in prematurely ending many believers’ lives.
This is not about your weight or looking sexier, but developing a healthier lifestyle that is pleasing to you, your spouse, and the Lord. A lifestyle that promotes togetherness through the act of serving your spouse and the Lord in taking a walk, reducing your fat intake, experiencing Yoga, or eating oatmeal for breakfast. By doing this, you will provide a healthy example for your areas of influence (children, co-workers, and peers). Your confidence will soar; due to obedience of not conforming to the worldly eating and physical health patterns (Romans 12:1-2). The benefits of healthy eating and consistent exercising are unlimited in impacting your marriage.
There’s a reason for every scripture. Carefully meditating on 1 Corinthians 7:4 should inspire the most selfish spouse to begin and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Regardless of your feelings, you owe it to the Lord, your wife/husband, and yourself. Trust me the journey is rewarding and beneficial.
