Keeping Healthy
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Introduction:
The concept of maintaining health is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, reflecting the importance of caring for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Bible provides guidance on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these aspects in living a life that honors God.

Biblical Foundations:
The Bible underscores the significance of health through various passages that highlight the need for balance, moderation, and care for one's body. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , the Apostle Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage emphasizes the responsibility of believers to honor God through the stewardship of their physical bodies.

Diet and Nutrition:
Scripture provides insights into dietary practices that promote health. In the Old Testament, the dietary laws given to the Israelites, such as those found in Leviticus 11, outline clean and unclean foods, which can be seen as promoting health and hygiene. While Christians are not bound by these laws (Acts 10:15), the principles of moderation and discernment in food choices remain relevant. Proverbs 25:16 advises, "If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up," highlighting the importance of moderation.

Exercise and Physical Activity:
While the Bible does not explicitly mention exercise as understood today, it does advocate for physical activity through the lifestyle of its characters. Many biblical figures, such as shepherds and farmers, engaged in physically demanding work. The value of physical training is acknowledged in 1 Timothy 4:8 : "For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come." This verse suggests a balanced approach, recognizing the benefits of physical activity while prioritizing spiritual growth.

Rest and Sabbath:
Rest is a crucial component of maintaining health, as demonstrated by the biblical principle of the Sabbath. In Exodus 20:8-10 , God commands, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God." This commandment underscores the importance of regular rest and rejuvenation, allowing individuals to restore their physical and spiritual strength.

Mental and Emotional Health:
The Bible addresses mental and emotional well-being, encouraging believers to seek peace and avoid anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage highlights the role of prayer and trust in God as means to achieve mental tranquility.

Community and Support:
The role of community in maintaining health is evident in the early church's practices. Acts 2:46-47 describes the believers as "continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people." This communal lifestyle provided emotional support and accountability, contributing to overall well-being.

Spiritual Health:
Spiritual health is paramount in the biblical perspective, as it influences all other aspects of life. Jesus emphasizes the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-39 : "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" A strong spiritual foundation fosters a healthy relationship with God and others, promoting holistic health.

Conclusion:
The Bible offers a comprehensive approach to health, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. By following biblical principles, believers can maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle that honors God and reflects His design for human flourishing.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Timothy 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities.
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Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 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.
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1 Corinthians 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?
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Topicalbible.org

Ezekiel 4:9
Take you also to you wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make you bread thereof, according to the number of the days that you shall lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days shall you eat thereof.
Topicalbible.org

Leviticus 11:1-47
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them,
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Library

Suffocated Trees
... is pricking him all the time, then he cannot be sunny and healthy like a ... Moreover,
if you begin keeping secrets from your parents in this way you will have no ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/suffocated trees.htm

Slavery of Redemptioners.
... ships are kept clean, and every means is employed to deliver healthy ware to ... and
orphan-fathers, take the chests and inheritance in their safe-keeping, and the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/slavery of redemptioners.htm

The Ten Lepers
... up tolerably healthy, tolerably comfortable, in a free country, under just laws,
with the power of earning our livelihood, and the certainty of keeping what we ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxviii the ten lepers.htm

Whether in Some Cases it May be Lawful to Maim Anyone?
... Accordingly so long as a member is healthy and retains its natural disposition,
it ... nature of the thing corrupted, although they are in keeping with universal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in some cases it.htm

Abiding in Love
... Of course the keeping of the commandments is something more than mere outward
conformity ... and the tree that bears fruit is the tree that is healthy and increases ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/abiding in love.htm

The Lord Our Shepherd
... keeping of you, as a shepherd is charged with the care and keeping of his ... Will the
healthy flock boast of themselves, and say, "See what splendid care we have ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 4 the lord our.htm

The True vine.
... prunes and dresses the branches in order that they may be more healthy and fruitful. ...
We abide in him by keeping his words, or having his "word abide in us ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the true vine.htm

The Gifts of Heavenly Wisdom
... it is 'laying hold' by the outstretched hand of faith, and keeping hold with ... One
prime condition of healthy spiritual life is the habit of meditation, thereby ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the gifts of heavenly wisdom.htm

God's Will and Man's Will
... a controversy which, I again say, I believe to have been really healthy, and which
has ... when it lay in embryo in his thoughts entirely, in his keeping, so that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/gods will and mans will.htm

The Church and the Young Man.
... the only effectual method of reforming a drunkard, or of keeping a man ... of corruption
proceeds to make provision for these natural and healthy cravings, that ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/the church and the young.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about keeping secrets? | GotQuestions.org

Does God require Sabbath-keeping of Christians? | GotQuestions.org

Can keeping the Five Pillars of Islam get me to heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Keeping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Keeping

Keeping a Good Name

Keeping a Secret

Keeping Healthy

Keeping Order

Keeping Promises

Keeping Secrets

Keeping the Faith

Keeping Your Word

Related Terms

Sabbath-keeping (1 Occurrence)

Deposit (19 Occurrences)

Storage (7 Occurrences)

Guarding (16 Occurrences)

Tending (11 Occurrences)

Custody (27 Occurrences)

Commands (216 Occurrences)

Happiness (54 Occurrences)

Fearing (107 Occurrences)

Recorded (141 Occurrences)

Faithfulness (91 Occurrences)

Fearful (73 Occurrences)

Eunuch (20 Occurrences)

Watch (203 Occurrences)

Silent (120 Occurrences)

Loving (292 Occurrences)

Decisions (133 Occurrences)

Vindicating (2 Occurrences)

Unchanging (91 Occurrences)

Observance (8 Occurrences)

Life (6001 Occurrences)

Leg-muscles (4 Occurrences)

Gatherings (9 Occurrences)

Wrongdoer (16 Occurrences)

Forsaking (29 Occurrences)

Requirements (26 Occurrences)

Rites (6 Occurrences)

Runners (21 Occurrences)

Duties (46 Occurrences)

Despising (25 Occurrences)

Bakbukiah (3 Occurrences)

Adversities (5 Occurrences)

Holyday (2 Occurrences)

Confessed (19 Occurrences)

Laws (184 Occurrences)

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)

Lovingkindness (176 Occurrences)

Wrongdoing (122 Occurrences)

Keeps (154 Occurrences)

Bottle (28 Occurrences)

Field (390 Occurrences)

Walking (189 Occurrences)

Preserve (61 Occurrences)

Jethro (10 Occurrences)

Dependent (35 Occurrences)

Decrees (131 Occurrences)

Commit (142 Occurrences)

Weighed (44 Occurrences)

Note (129 Occurrences)

Memory (181 Occurrences)

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)

Sabbath (126 Occurrences)

Tired (51 Occurrences)

Ten (234 Occurrences)

Rules (160 Occurrences)

Scroll (70 Occurrences)

Moving (117 Occurrences)

Seems (99 Occurrences)

Mercy (467 Occurrences)

Grace (277 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)

Safe (388 Occurrences)

True (305 Occurrences)

Themselves (911 Occurrences)

Care (466 Occurrences)

Washing (56 Occurrences)

Happy (143 Occurrences)

Pay (212 Occurrences)

Joram (26 Occurrences)

Death (1610 Occurrences)

Sin (782 Occurrences)

Conscious (93 Occurrences)

Beseech (85 Occurrences)

Across (172 Occurrences)

Warfare (18 Occurrences)

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Strong (736 Occurrences)

Flock (242 Occurrences)

Keeping God's Word
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