In 10th grade I used weightlifting partially to run away from God, but in some miraculous way, He used that same hobby to draw me back to Himself. Praise the Lord ✝
Are you using to honor God, or honor yourself? As with most things, the questions are easy to answer, but the answers themselves are hard to put into practice. And by 'hard', I mean 'the flesh' (thinking processes, bias, presuppositions, projecting ourselves onto and into everyone and everything around us) gets in the way of what God has intended for us.
i have to inform you that christianity emprace sloth,thats why they stoped olympic games back to byzantium.they stoprd people to think(ancient Greeks was slought)and forced the only pray and hope without acting
Muscular Christianity 👊👊👊💪💪⚔️ the best way. Being strong, physically, mentally, spiritually is Christian. To be defenders, and capable of fighting are Christian. Pacifism is not.. Weakness is not.. Cowardice is not.. Honour our God, our lord.
For us men in service to and of the Lord, it is indeed a healthy principle to keep in our back pocket and something that should not be withheld from young boys. Just as God fearing feminity is something both young girls and women of God should keep in their's.
Just ordered the book! I built a complete garage gym over the past few months. I have a background in crossfit but looking to get more into weight training. My wife and I were recently baptized and are focusing on our walk with God and growing as Christians. Our lives have completely changed.
While staying fit and healthy are good things and Biblical, we also need to understand that our true strength will always come from Christ. While our physical strength can benefit us in many ways in this life, it won't in the next one. When trials come may we truly rely on Jesus' strength and not on ours.
@@jamesg3808 Am I reading your comment correctly? Are you basically saying that the Strength we have in this life, will transfer over to the next life? Nowhere in Scriptures do we read that. And yes, while we will have a glorified body in heaven it doesn't mean that we're gonna be toiling and laboring.
@@jamesg3808why do you think any of your physical attributes will be with you in the new life? The scripture says we will have bodies like His. Him being JESUS CHRIST THE LORD OF CREATION. So I don't think I'm gonna be able to deadlift more in heaven just because I can deadlift more than you now.
@@Silence-and-Violence I am not arguing that at all. Just because this life is temporary, and we age as we get older does not mean you should neglect your body.
Saint Paul said it best. “Physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come."
As a Christian who also into weight training and competed in the past I Loved Muscular Christianity!! listened to the audio book twice while going for my long walks. Thanks Paul! Thanks Ruslan for this interview! 💪🏼✝️
I am so amazed and impressed how you are presenting God through your words and your biblical principles. You are an excellent mentor whom God is using, and will continue to use, as you keep walking with God as YOUR mentor. I’m a 70-year-old woman who was very athletic in my teens and 20s, and I agree that physical activity and competition in a setting of building up each other through Christ has great value. Stay strong in Jesus!!
Im excited and glad this was brought to the Ruslan KD channel. I really like and appreciate these kinds of videos and Scheereddzz videos. God bless you guys
Got Upauli's book 3 months ago love it as I have returning to The Way !! Tell this man to check out Knees over toes guy with his works out I have been reversing my injuries from Parkour and skateboarding!!!!!
I definitely agree that fitness and God connect. Our bodies are temples and think of fitness as physically strengthening your temple. If you physically strengthen your temple and spiritually strengthen it by getting close to God and listening to his word just imagine how much You would honor God through exercise and your faith and relationship with him.
We were created as physical beings, and we need to take care of our bodies by staying fit and strong. Neglect of the body is anti-biblical and reminiscent of ancient Gnosticism, one of the most pervasive heresies of the first few centuries AD.
The people asked: "Which is the greatest of all commandments?" They were told: "Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind... Love your neighbor as yourself... and don't skip leg day bro!"
Build the body so that you can defend against those who seek to destroy your mind, body, and spirit. It’s not a misordering but a proper reordering that is taking place because for decades Christian men have grown weak and passive.
Did anyone demean men for being small? Meek is a good thing. I've never looked into it but the popular Christianism is that the Greek for "meek" actually implies a restrained strength. Like a wild stallion brought under control of a bridle. I don't know if that's true or not but it resonates with me as a man who had anger problems when I was young and also have done a lot of combat training, I feel empowered in Christ that I am meek. That I have the power to dominate others but I choose not to for the sake of love and the LORD. Food for thought?
@@Silence-and-Violence The health argument has always been good, men should work out and be the best they can be but only though God's will (this is hard). Many in this circle focus too much on the needs of women and what they find attractive. We workout and marry if we can, if not, then that's fine, God won't punish you for that yet some act like he will.
@@vapidcity ahh, I cannot speak to your criticism because I haven't experienced a lot of Christian men who work out who do it for chicks. I have lifted weights for almost 15 years. I've done BJJ and Mauy Thai for 10 years. I have trained with a lot of faithful Christian men and they almost all do it for personal health and to elongate and maximize their life with their wives and children, and in BJJ and MMA some do it for the ability to protect their wives, children and loved ones. I do it for all those reasons. Maybe it's because I'm 33, so I mostly hang with married guys so none of us are trying to do it for ladies.
Paul says I buffet my body not buffet (food) my body. I once heard that gluttony is the sin everyone can see. We lift for the Lord. Rebuild our bodies to serve him
Wow I loved this podcast! I used to body build before I got married too. Trying to get back into lately after 3 kids and I have the same thoughts that as Christians we should steward our body in honour to God since it’s a temple where he resides
The Lord is a God of design, beauty, harmony, balance. If we learn to crucify pride, and not base our personal value on our look there is a place for he aesthetic of the human body in the kingdom of God.
I really enjoyed this conversation❤. I think you guys are talking about paradoxes on the objective and subjective level. As humans growing in a relationship with Jesus, eventually we learn that us humans are innately creatures with narrow perspectives, we presume, and we assume CONSTANTLY 🤣🙏. We are constantly battling our innate tendency of being quick to speak and slow to listen. We are ever getting distracted with one singular thing and then favor our biases at the expense of other vital and important topics/issues/areas that we should take care of (being partial)....like our own physical bodies! 🤦♀️🤣 All of this really points to the fruits of patience, faithfulness, and self-control. Thank you Lord that you alone know everything all at once through all of time, because you are outside of time and space, and because you love and care for us so much: you gifted us with Your Holy Spirit to remind us of our FULL humanity, to remind us of who we are and what it means to be human, and to remind us of who You are. Thank you Lord for the gift of our spirit, our physical body, and every single member of the body of Christ ♥️🙌.
I was in to body building in a big way, and the Lord told me to put it away as it was idolatry. I'm 62 years old now and realize how Temporal our bodies are, as we age we can't do the same things as when we were younger, but we can get stronger spiritually in the Lord. This is not saying to not look after your body and keep fit, but as a Christian we have to be temperate and careful.
@@jamesg3808 no I was never tempted down that path. I just got as big as I naturally could, and was happy with that. Was never interested in competition ,it was just a activity I enjoyed doing. I still workout a little bit, but not nearly at the same level, and I've also got a pretty physical job as an arborist, so that keeps me in shape without the extra workout.
@@marxtheidoloftheidle5591 because nothing has ever gone wrong In the past with this mindset hey. Everyone just lived in pure bliss and never waged holy wars and whatnot.
@@Jackmonkey66666hghinnvyou can't judge what people did for centuries ages ago and expect to be treated like an intelligent human being, you realize that right?
@@tylerbrooks2492 I do, yet you also can’t acknowledge that the exact thing people are saying is the only way to save ourselves and build the only society/world that will work has been done before and it didn’t work lol. You can’t just ignore that and pretend like just because it’s a different time in history it will just be the polar opposite effect and be perfect because that’s just as delusional and plain stupid.
Its true that self control and self discipline are Biblical qualities. I struggle with my weight, always have. I was a hard core drug addict and by the grace of God ive been off the hard stuff for over 4 years. The Lord completely changed my attitude towards drugs. I think if my weight and disability (ruptured aneurysm) as my 'thorn in the side,' and Gods grace is sufficient for me, for in my weakness His power is made strong. '❤
I think this is important so long as you don’t cross the line. It can be a slippery slope into self worship when it comes to physique. It’s also easy to start putting fitness as your priority over prayer and worship. This is important, but make sure you’re aware of your mindset throughout. Just like sports, shopping, movie stars become idols so can fitness. Make sure there’s a balance with your worship.
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure” from Chariots of Fire (1981) I like to say, "God made me strong, and when I lift I feel his pleasure."
At 38:35…when Paul said “I’m going to destroy this thing, burn it to ashes, and then upon its ashes…erect a 10,000 statue of Jesus.” I like that. I think that’s good for Christian sanctification and growth in our faith and our fight against ourselves and our adversary. There’s inklings of David and Goliath as well as Joshua and 12 chosen men erecting stones as monuments in honor of God. I think it can be especially helpful for young men.
In my early 20s I could deadlift 200kg and do the rowing machine for 40 mins. Now im over weight and cant even do one push up. I need to loose weight and get off this medication. I read socrates and met up with backpackers at bars and I went to the library and read books. I also went to church. I also attended music production study in Brisbane Australia. Trying to figure out why I have clickety knees. Ill get my body back through christ. I miss the gym. I miss my 20s im 33 now.
I’ve been talking about this for the longest time… We’re spirit mind and body. If you can tell the tree by the fruit it bares…although that was talking about spiritually, what does that say about the tree if the fruit someone who os overweight (assuming it’s in their control of course)? I see plenty of overweight church leaders and they are knowledgeable, but faith without works is dead.❤
Respect yourself as a child of God, absolutely. I get nervous that folks in this sphere get too into the self reliance mindset to the point of thinking that God isn't the source of your ability. I see it. I used to struggle with it.
Ur shirt says bless God, God should be first it should say God bless because God does the blessings not the other way around or maybe I am thinking ahead but that caught my eye.
Nothing specifically wrong with it but there are too many detour paths attached to that path. It's easy to loose track if you're not scripturally oriented or so not practice Christian disciplines.
Totally, this is one of many disciplines a christian can and probably SHOULD practice. While not necessarily being something that’s a christian discipline of itself. I’d argue christian disciplines should flow into a healthy stewardship of the body.
@@RuslanKD right. Thanks for the response Pslams 1: Meditate on God's word day and night. We should read the bible and pray everyday. Attend fellowship. Tiethe. Almsgiving. Muslims pray 5 times. Hindus sunrise and sunset. Meanwhile the Christian hasnt read his bible or prayed in ages. I believe if more christians practice spiritual disciplines, their faith will remain strong and our churches can thrive, and eventually our nation. I tell my churchgoers this everytime and they argue "You are saved not be deeds but by grace" and I am like "that doesnt mean we shouldnt practice spiritual disciplines"
Would love if you could do a talk regarding the physique and strength standards Christian guys can pursue. I'm not at all young any more (just turned 40) and my arena is very largely cerebral and I feel like the temptation is always either to pursue the dangerously improbable standards of influencers or to just accept the kind of self-acceptance non-standards that I feel like I've been defaulting to all my life.
Hey, sorry about the delay, We’re waiting on 3 different shipments. All delayed the longest we’ve ever had. We should be getting enough in to fulfill all the orders and some on hand this upcoming week (they shipped this past Monday from Turkey) excited we’re switching manufacturers
@@RuslanKD thank you for the speedy reply! Also, getting my first piece of occupy till I come collection piece this Monday, but wanted to know if the large shirt will fit the best for me. Is there a way to maybe extend the deadline to Monday night, or is it out of your control already.
Exercise and maintaining muscle mass becomes critically important once you pass age 50 and especially 60 because we will lose it otherwise. My husband has worked out faithfully since we met 35 years ago and even HE has lost some mass (but he didn’t lose weight overall 🤷🏻♀️) , to the point that one day his wedding ring slid off his finger! We got that resized but I can still feel his shoulders are more bony than before. I have that lovely post-menopause weight gain despite going to the gym and doing both cardio & weights, the fat just doesn’t want to leave! (Fat stores estrogen, that’s part of the problem).
It is most important to look for the kingdom of god and the rest will be added, all this is fine but we shouldn't worry about it too much, same as financial issues
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” I Corinthians 3:16-17
False binary. My health and fitness journey has ONLY drew me closer to God and my family. If you aren’t married you wouldn’t understand what it’s like to get fit 😉
I think we should use our bodies to be loving, both to God and our neighbor. The way we "work-out" now is not what they did back then. Being in a gym and paying for a membership to become fit is not the same as serving our neighbors physically, with the benefit of "exercise", and also honoring God.
One does not actually make his faith his own over and against his parents. One should pursue God’s Word and truth and allow Him to prioritize his life. So it’s less about what you think and more about what God says.
Our body is God given, a gift. Respect it. See what it can achieve. See how many other ways you can use it. See what you can become and do!! In Jesus name. Become more, for God. Physical increases mental, increases spiritual.
Just remember that this can be an idol as well. I have been tempted to turn down helping people in my church because it couldn’t get in the way of my gym time. God has given us many gifts but they should not be placed above God Himself. Loving others is loving God. If we need to starve so others can eat we should. If we need to mess up our gym schedule/progress for others than we should. Go to the gym. Push yourself. This is a great thing. But realize it can also become an addiction and an idol. Like all things we must be careful. Being consistent doesn’t mean it’s an idol BUT being unrelenting in putting aside your time and energy aside for others is an issue. Stay grinding. Stay hussling. Remember the gym should be used outside of the gym otherwise it’s a waste! Preaching to myself here. Peace and love brothers and sisters.
Strength training discpline is applicable to spiritual discplines. I love working out and eating healthy . My body is Gods ..and yes I am a Christian woman with muscles haha. 💪
This is cool, but im afraid this will manifest into a culture in the youth thinking they have to have greek god bodies to feel closer to god lol. "Training your body is of some value, yes, but don't sacrifice it at the expense of your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control. May your movement flow from the fruit of the Spirit, which will last forever"-1 timothy 4:8.
Awesome conversation! Where there's a will, there's a way: I train at home with a certified fitness trainer I found on RU-vid and my only set of weights FOR FREE. Regardless of your financial situation, I can attest that you can make it happen: train with Jesus and let Him train you, mind, body, soul, spirit. God bless! 🙌🏾
Not to disrespect at all because I get exactly what he’s trying to say but I don’t think he was able to flesh out the idea as much as he wanted to given that I’m sure it’s stressful being interviewed. For me working out builds that character to be able to keep going when things get tough on your faith as a new Christian. And when things get rough at the gym Christianity gives you the strength to keep going. A lot of problems people face once they begin the gym is body dysmorphia. Christ accepts us how we are no matter what and the gratitude we’re taught is really helpful. There’s a lot more I can say that he didn’t really touch up on but overall I feel like both go hand in hand really well. I mean Jesus lifted his cross that was probably super heavy while completely beaten. So you’re building your mind, body, and soul.
Suit yourselves, I am basically operating in a spiritual/esoteric christian religious system that is eastern orthodoxy on steroids. I believe in god, the 10 commandments and that is about it, everything else is give and take. Its an evolving system which will eventually involve practices from other cultures and systems. A form of esoteric monotheism based around jesus, and the lord has guided me to explore other systems and thoughts and religions to better understand them all. Even the esoteric and exoteric systems, I have been given agency to explore these things by the lord. Whatever I learn I will master and eventually teach to others. Wish me luck.
How can I know God? Where do I start? Churches are confusing I believe in Jesus but I don’t understand even what to believe? Do you have any book or video for this?
Read a translation of the New Testament that you can understand and ask the Lord for guidance. Videos will pop up, people will say something that will click, Don't expect all the answers in an instant. Embrace the process of learning and growing in and WITH the Lord. Cultivate that relationship as it is the most important. I personally don't identify with any denomination, but I glean different things from many of them. Who knows maybe one day I'll pick one, but right now I choose Jesus wherever that leads me 🙏
You don’t think the God of universe who was a carpenter / builder for the majority of his life and walked miles a day wasn’t muscular? Have you thought this through? Folks from antiquity (especially who worked with their hands like Jesus) lived very different lives than us. Highly unlikely Jesus looked like the average American who’s sloppy and overweight.
@@RuslanKDhaha I do live in CA but my point is too many couples want all their circumstances to be perfect before marriage. Not a lot of willingness to just get married and maybe struggle a bit. Most people have dual incomes so getting married should only be easier unless your goal is to have the wife stay home which would definitely require financial planning
What part? Anywhere near water 🤣🤣🤣 Nah you’re totally right. This is an “ikea marriage” you get to assemble piece by piece. By not ready to provide, I’m usually meaning someone fresh out of high school trying to figure out their first job to sustain themselves first and mature a bit.
@@breatheeasily4013 Yes it’s about God; however, you are missing the point. We ought to train and become the best physically because this will put us in the best position to better serve and glorify God.
