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What does the Bible say about keeping healthy?

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The Bible calls us to receive bodily health as a good gift from God and to care for ourselves in ways that honor him, while trusting him rather than making health an idol. Our bodies belong to the Lord and are temples of the Holy Spirit, so eating, drinking, work, rest, and physical habits should be guided by God’s glory (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 10:31). Scripture commends cheerful hearts, wise fear of the Lord, and disciplined living, while reminding us that bodily training has real but limited value compared with godliness (Proverbs 17:22; 3:7-8; 1 Timothy 4:8). Daniel’s faithful restraint illustrates wise conviction, and Romans 12:1 calls believers to offer their whole selves to God.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31 8 votes

    Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 8 votes

    [19] Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

  • 3 John 1:2 6 votes

    Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

  • 1 Timothy 4:8 6 votes

    For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value for all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.

  • Proverbs 17:22 5 votes

    A cheerful heart makes good medicine, But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

  • Proverbs 3:7-8 5 votes

    [7] Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. [8] It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19 5 votes

    Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,

  • Exodus 15:26 5 votes

    and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you."

  • Romans 12:1 4 votes

    Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

  • Daniel 1:8-16 4 votes

    [8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. [9] Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. [10] The prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? so would you endanger my head with the king. [11] Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: [12] Prove your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. [13] Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king's dainties; and as you see, deal with your servants. [14] So he listened to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. [15] At the end of ten days their faces appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king's dainties. [16] So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.

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