Is Working Out Circumventing God’s Design?

I studied the body for years. In an attempt to perfect a training program that balances our hormones and uses them to naturally cause a desired effect, I became quite familiar with the endocrine system. This isn’t about how to, I figured that out. This is about, should we? God designed not just the body but He programed the system to react and adapt. When we hack this system albeit naturally, are we interfering with God’s intended design? For example, I know that many things cause testosterone production and release. This increases sexual appetite and aggression, basically Alpha engineering. If I have no reason for my libido to be in overdrive and no enemies to fight, is this just hormonal gluttony. It’s like building muscle for no purpose other than to look at. In many ways it is feeding the flesh and seeking approval from men and women and not God. This isn’t about fitness. When I was at my fittest and I would argue homeostatically perfect, I reached an undeniable connection with the Holy Spirit. This question is for bulking without purpose. I have no sports to train for, and am already more than physically capable to do my job. Is any excess vanity?

I don't believe that it is excess vanity, which BTW seems like a redundant term, but rather a form of entertainment and relaxation. It obviously serves a purpose otherwise you probably wouldn't do it to excess. Regarding God's intended design for the human body, ever since sin entered the world the design has been trending downwards for all intents and purposes. Nothing wrong about an increase in testosterone either as a lot of guys could benefit from the increase.

Perhaps a comma should have been used. Is any excess (muscle)....vanity?

Perhaps the excess muscle would be extraneous.

Popeye the Sailor Man would probably not consider the excess muscle vanity. Of course, he also relied on spinach (from a can). A modern version would have him eating fresh spinach which is what I prefer as well.

Olive Oyl was really into the excess muscles of her man so overall it is probably a good thing.

Regarding your incident at Costco and the protein powder. I might want to score a can of that myself on my next excursion to Costco next week. I'm all set on eating of the spinach. Your wife seemed to frown on that purchase but, in all fairness in regards to equality of the sexes, there is such a thing as excess perfume and make-up.

All is vanity. I think that Ecclesiastes mentioned that once but of course the guy was depressed. He probably wasn't into eating spinach either whether from a can or otherwise.

He had no problem with the ladies though but in my opinion in that department he was excessive and definitely extraneous.

Tour,
you are constantly breaking our hearts - you have so much 'heart', but so little self-discipline
concerning your addictive habits...
you must realize at some point that you are a continual contradiction according to your words
that you speak to others -
the scriptures are so definitive on how to minister by (example) -
(we MUST CLEAN our OWN HOUSE before we can help others CLEAN theirs...
'an 'ounce' of example is worth a 'pound' of PREACHING???

I'd say its less about the action and more about the intent. Different people have a natural draw to different aspects of life. Engaging in those areas, be they physical or mental or creative, etc... does not mean, by default, vanity. I'd say look at your own motives and see what's there. Do you want to bulk up for attention? Or does that aspect of life simply bring you joy and something you want to further?

There’s an Asian proverb, “It’s better to be a warrior in the garden, rather than a gardener in war.” That was kind of what my training was about. It’s better to have the muscle and not need it, than need it and not have it. Lately I took some time off of training to do some much needed renovations. I found myself more peaceable. It’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it. I didn’t get a beach body for attention and feel dominant. It’s just the biproduct of the hormones. Without that extra aggression I get along with my family better and my sexual appetite is less ravenous. It got me wondering that at this stage in life where I’m not looking to battle for supremacy in the workplace nor extend my lineage, perhaps there’s a reason God causes testosterone to deplete at 40 years of age by design. Perhaps it’s in my best interest to not get attention from other women. There is a definite attitude that accompanies an athletic physique, not by pride, just by hormone response. Perhaps creating that hormonal response without necessity, is combative to God’s design.

Maybe if Popeye was less concerned with his strength he would have settled down with Olivoyle, instead of making her an unwed mother. Perhaps if he wasn’t so manly, Olivoyle wouldn’t have sacrificed her virtue and gotten pregnant in the first place. It’s my understanding that the cartoon was taken off the air because it sent a bad message that Olivoyle was an unwed mother. Despite the show’s attempt to promote healthy living (popeye eating spinach, wimpy eating trays of burgers) the only lesson that did in fact take was if you want to win the battles, sex out of marriage is the way to go!

There is some questions as to whether or not Olive Oyl was the mother of Sweet Pea.

In a 1933 comic strip Sweet Pea appears at the door of Popeye in a box. Popeye adopts Sweet Pea. Olive Oyl and Popeye did indeed get married in a short movie theater production in 1939 and they had spinach for breakfast.

Based on this it appears that Olive Oyl was not made an unwed mother by Popeye but rather became Sweet Pea's mother by reason of her marriage to Popeye.

That is the Popeye, adopted son Sweet Pea and subsequent wedding of Popeye and Olive Oyl narrative, Regardless of whether or not the narrative is accurate please keep in mind that none of this stuff actually happened because these are comic characters after all.

I could also give you my take on Superman if you want me too but again, the Man of Steel is Not Real.

It’s funny you mentioned Popeye and Superman. Those were my two favourite characters and what I aspired to be.

Hungry. I think if it makes you feel positive you should go for it. There's nothing wrong in doing something that makes you happy and healthy. As long as no one is getting hurt because of it. Come to think of it, everything we work for we leave behind once we pass on. Even our bodies. So we should do what we can while we still have that opportunity and age to get the best out of our body at that particular time and age. The goals for which we workout for are different based on what we really want out of life and how working out that way would help you achieve those goals. If your goal is to look a little muscular, no harm in it. I wish I was as muscular now as I was in my twenties. For men to look muscular is always impressive. But I recommend some yoga or Tai Chi so that you are able to learn to balance the internal as much as the external so that you realise harmony within your body. Stretching will help heal the muscles and help you cope with the stress of working out.

Ah, thank you for this information. I had started to have a much lower opinion of Popeye, until I learned he did indeed marry his ugly sweetheart.

As for you, you should be more like Popeye, and less like that fat guy who eats all the burgers. Eat your spinach, adopt your Sweet Pea and marry your Olive Oyl. Pretty simple, isn't it?



P.S. Also, no more circumventing. That's Old Testament law stuff, and what's important now is circumvention of the heart.

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today".

Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

ET,
what a wise and profound post, especially for those who think themselves 'above the Laws of God' concerning
our Temples!
when The Holy Spirit indwells us, in all ways, then there will never be a doubt that our hearts belong to Yeshua
'mind-body-Spirit' and from then on out, our reason for living is no longer of the world, but totally attached
to His in every way, even if it takes us more 'time' than we would like!lol - but, the proof is always in the pudding -
ROMANS 8:28.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to His purpose.
1COR. 3:17.
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is Holy, which temple you are.
1CO. 6:19.
What? know you not that your body is the temple of The Holy Ghost which is in you,
which you have of God, and you are not your own?
11TIM. 2:19.
Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are His.
And, Let every one that names The Name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth;
and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified,
and meet for The Master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22.
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23.
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24.
And the servant of The Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25.
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;
if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26.
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

I'll dare answer the question with a question and on the structured understanding that the Bible tells us, the indwelt members of God's church are like temples to the holy spirit.

Would you fail to maintain a church building and let it fall into disrepair thinking since it was constructed to be a church God must keep it up on his own now that it exists?

I think there is a difference between letting cobwebs gather in the corner of your temple and adorning it with lavish trim and decoration.

To each temple their own I guess.

Nothing wrong with working out. There are so many healthy benefits to working out. I even have a personal trainer that helps me with my workouts and keeping accountable.
Our bodies are a temple of the Lord and working out is one way to keep our bodies healthy and looking after them.

GOD made animals meat for protein so you grow big and strong also if u dont work out yuo will get big and fat so if you dont healthy you are ruining what GOD made you to be