Checking Your Motives: Lesson

The final step in the ABCs of fitness is the letter “C”, Check Your Motives. You were given the task of figuring out your “Why” on Day 1 in the video. What is your “Why” or what is your motive? It is absolutely fine to want to lose weight, but what is motivating you to do this? Hopefully your desire to lose weight is not strictly vanity, but it is because you want to take care of the body God gave you, so that you have the strength and energy needed to do whatever He calls you to do.

If your fitness plan is motivated by a desire to spend quality time with family and friends and to love others well, then you are honoring God and are on the right track. Having the right motive will give you the determination to work hard and make wise choices. Give thanks to God that you have persevered and accomplished hard things through Him. He will help you in each step of your journey, and it will become easier each day when the focus is placed on Him. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31)

If your goal to lose weight and eat healthy is so that you feel better about yourself, that is great! What an awesome way to reflect the light of God toward others. Use the opportunity as a testimony to tell others about God’s love. Tell them how your faith has led you to a healthier lifestyle, and let your transformation be a living testament to His grace and power in your life.

If you need to know how to honor God in your life and on this journey, the best thing to do is to ask Him. Be still and listen, and He will give you direction, which will probably include eating healthy foods in moderation, exercising regularly, and drinking plenty of water.

Centering your motives around God will provide a new perspective on fitness and healthy eating. Think of your workouts and healthy mealtimes as joy-filled, quality time spent with your Heavenly Father. As I mentioned in the video on Day 1, try to think of it as an “I get to” not “I have to” opportunity.  This approach to food and exercise will hopefully inspire you to continue on the path to success.

Remember, God wants you to be healthy and feel good about yourself so you can enjoy your life and are better equipped to do the wonderful things He has planned for you. Your body and your health are gifts from Him. Taking care of your body is a way of showing gratitude for His gift and keeping yourself ready for action when he prompts you.

Things to do:

1. Check your motives for your ultimate goal.


2. Find a class or online exercises that include strength training.

JOHN 5:14

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

PROVERBS 21:1-31

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water

that he channels toward all who please him.

person may think their own ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

To do what is right and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart-

the unplowed field of the wicked-produce sin.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

fortune made by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

The violence of the wicked will drag them away,

for they refuse to do what is right.

The way of the guilty is devious,

but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Better to live on a corner of the roof

than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

The wicked crave evil;

their neighbors get no mercy from them.

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;

by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked

and brings the wicked to ruin.

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor

will also cry out and not be answered.

A gift given in secret soothes anger,

and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous

but terror to evildoers.

Whoever strays from the path of prudence

comes to rest in the company of the dead.

Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;

whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

and the unfaithful for the upright.

Better to live in a desert

than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

The wise store up choice food and olive oil,

but fools gulp theirs down.

Whoever pursues righteousness and love

finds life, prosperity and honor.

One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty

and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues

keep themselves from calamity.

The proud and arrogant person-“Mocker” is his name-

behaves with insolent fury.

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,

because his hands refuse to work.

All day long he craves for more,

but the righteous give without sparing.

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-

how much more so when brought with evil intent!

false witness will perish,

but a careful listener will testify successfully.

The wicked put up a bold front,

but the upright give thought to their ways.

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

that can succeed against the Lord.

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but victory rests with the Lord.

JAMES 4:3

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

PSALMS 26:2

Test me, Lord, and try me,

examine my heart and my mind;