8 Bible Verses on Exercise {Add Worship to Your Workouts}

Exercise takes a lot of self-discipline, but here are 8 Bible verses to add a worshipful purpose to your workout routine, combining faith and fitness.

When you are trying to lose weight, exercise can feel like a punishment for the things you eat.

I’d like to challenge that approach.

It’s no secret that there are tons of benefits of exercise (check out these 15 reasons to exercise today). If you’re anything like me, even knowing the benefits isn’t always enough to get me moving.

But, when I think of making exercise as an act of worship, it gets personal.

• I have the power to glorify God by moving my body.
• It’s my job to care for and steward this body well.
• The better I take care of myself, the better I can take care of others.
• Pouring into a consistent habit like exercise pours into my physical health but it also pours into my spiritual health and helps me to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit (joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, self-control, and more).

That takes my motivation to a deeper level.

Let’s see what Scripture has to say on the topic.

8 Scriptures on Exercise

Download the printable Bible Verses on Exercise Here

#1 – You Are A Living Sacrifice 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

– Romans 12:1

This is my absolute favorite verse on exercise.

It’s not about torturing yourself in an effort to drop a few pounds.

It’s an act of worship, striving for holiness.

It’s about surrendering every piece of yourself – heart, mind, body, and soul into His loving hands and tenderly caring for the body He created just for you.

That’s the root of everything God asks from us – love. He loves us so much that He asks us to trust Him with our bodies, minds, and souls. Even when it’s the very best thing for us, it still feels like a sacrifice.

When your primary motivation for doing something, like exercise, to draw nearer to God, that’s when sacrifice becomes an act of worship.

#2 – I Do Not Run Aimlessly

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

– 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

Like I just mentioned, the reason you exercise is important.

The number on the scale or a smaller dress size can be a good temporary motivation, but it often isn’t enough to get you all the way to your goal.

In this verse, Paul has been describing how athletes use a lot of self-control to win a race. He talks about how the prize they are aiming to win (back that it was a wreath) would quickly die and fade away, but, as Christians, we have something so much greater as our ultimate aim that will never fade away.

Here, Paul is saying that he isn’t running aimlessly, but with a purpose. He is choosing to live intentionally and with purpose.

That’s all of our goals as Christians, right? To live for Christ.

Taking care of your body through exercising is an intentional act to take care of your body well and can be such an important part of purposeful living.

#3 – Your Body Is A Temple

Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 honor God with your bodies.

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I don’t know about you, but when I borrow something from somebody else, I fiercely take care of it – often more so than I take care of my own things! I want to be able to return it to them in the best possible shape that I can.

Our bodies are not our own and exercise is a great way to take care of yourself, not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually.

You house the Holy Spirit and that is not a task to be taken lightly.

We often think the only way to glorify God with our bodies is by doing something like raising our hands in worship, but the way we exercise, eat, and so much more can bring Him honor.

#4 – Do It All For The Glory Of God

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

– 1 Corinthians 10:31

I love taking mundane, everyday tasks, and adding a deeper purpose to them. Washing dishes is not just about getting the plates clean. It is about nurturing and taking care of the people around you.

Every detail of your life can bring glory to God, including exercise.

Don’t just do it for yourself, your kids, your spouse, or a smaller waistline – do it to glorify the Lord!

#5 – Work Vigorously

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

– Proverbs 31:17

This verse from Proverbs describes the Proverbs 31 woman. She is a had worker and, because of that, her arms are strong to be able to do what she needs to do.

When you exercise, your daily life gets easier. It’s easier to walk up and down stairs, keep up with your kids, and carry groceries into the house.

Moving your body regularly is a great way to make your body strong and ready to take care of others around you.

#6 – I Can Do All Things Through His Strength

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

– Philippians 4:13

There is no denying that exercise is hard. It takes a lot of willpower just to get started, much less finish a full workout.

But if you never push yourself past your comfort zone, you will never grow. Don’t go crazy and hurt yourself, but challenge your body. It is capable of more than you think.

And, the most important thing of all is to use exercise as another reminder of our need for our Savior. Yes, we can grow physically stronger through exercise, but our ultimate source of strength is Jesus. We need Him every day, every hour, every minute.

#7 – Renew Your Strength

…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

– Isaiah 40:31

“I’m too tired” is one of the most common excuses not to exercise out there. It’s understandable! Whether you are single, married, retired, or a young mom, there are endless reasons to be exhausted.

Yes, exercise takes energy, but it also gives you energy.

We only see that when we can pull ourselves back enough to see the big picture. That’s one way exercise has shown me the same picture lived out in my faith.

When things feel impossibly hard, it’s so important to remember that that’s not the end of my story. When I hope in the Lord and not my own capabilities, I can do more than I ever thought possible.

By walking with the Lord and offering Him all of me on my hardest days, it’s then that I grow stronger.

#8 – Train For Godliness

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

– 1 Timothy 4:8

Godliness should always come first. Your relationship with God is of the utmost importance in your life!

But don’t miss the first half of the verse. “For physical training is of some value.” There is value there. Don’t just cast it aside as a meaningless activity. Science and Scripture alike recognize the importance of exercise in your life!

As I’ve mentioned, committing to consistent exercise has also grown my faith, and my patience, helped me take my thoughts captive, and so much more.

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