Dennis L. Finnan Commentator
"The World, the Word & You! Broadcast"

“WHAT ROBS MANY TODAY OF THEIR JOY OF LIVING, ADVERSELY AFFECTS THEIR HEALTH AND LONGEVITY AND BRINGS YOU DOWN WHEN IT GOES UP? THE ANSWER IS YOUR WEIGHT!”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about FAT, FITNESS AND FAITH…

…One of the greatest problems we face these days, is how to live a long and productive life. The Bible has much to say about it of course, but few these days are listening. However when it comes to our health, we first go to those in the medical world for help and advice. But, would you believe that many of our social and medical problems can be solved by first going to the Bible, God’s holy Word for answers? In a moment, after we pause for one more musical expression of joy, I’ll return to talk about a most practical subject of our health in my message entitled: FAT, FITNESS & FAITH. Stay tuned…

…In America, we face many problems today, of which the number one seems to be global terrorism. However, do you know that this is not America’s most serious problem? Dr. Robert Kushner, MD with the Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital says:  “Being overweight is the most serious problem Americans are facing today.  Next to cigarette smoking, overweight is the second leading cause of preventable death in this country.  It's estimated that 300,000 deaths per year are attributable to our diet, physical inactivity and resulting obesity.”[1]

That means that over 60% of adult Americans are now overweight or obese.  In addition, when it comes to children, one in four children are now overweight, and that’s twice as many as 20 years ago. The truth is we’re facing a serious enemy within our shores that is killing multitudes of citizens. Now just want are the effects?

Most recent studies show that people who are overweight have a significantly greater risk of early death from ALL causes, including heart disease and cancer, according to a long-term study of more than one million people in the US. In addition, overweight is now the leading cause of Type 2 Diabetes in America. This is a serious finding for which most Americans, especially Christians seem to have a deaf ear! Myself included, because for years I simply refused to even consider the fact that I was one of those statistics in every single way, regardless of the fact that I was a Christian. Now saying that last part is what this broadcast is all about. To be overweight is a significant health risk, far above many other risks, but to be an overweight or obese for a Christian is, shall I be blunt and honest” – It is SIN!

Now I know it’s easy to point a finger at other people when that sin may not be my own, but I say to you friend it is mine! For this sin has a cause, and that cause in the Bible is called gluttony. Listen to the Bible now on this subject:

Prov 23:1-2 (NIV)  When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

Prov 23:20-21 (NIV)  Do not join those who… gorge themselves on meat, 21 for… gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Phil 3:19 (NIV)  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

Although Scripture doesn’t say much about overeating specifically, it does give instances of it and examples too, accompanied by God’s view on the matter. Overindulgence with food, and the corresponding obesity it causes certainly displeases God. Now saying that, I realize many in the listening audience like me, enjoy eating very much. Indeed, the many types of delicious abundant foods we have available to us today, certainly makes it hard to say no to or to push the plate away from us when offered. Yet, a little cookie here and a little cake there, a second generous helping here soon begins to linger with us and in time creates what is not God honoring for Christians. Now I’m speaking expressly to Christians, and if you are not one, you still can gain some practical and necessary truths for your life and living.

For years, I enjoyed eating everything I could taste and test. When I was younger, I was thin because my body burned the calories I consumed, but as the years went by with the sedentary life styles many of us live, the caloric intake exceeded that which I needed for normal existence. Soon the pounds increased, the waist grew, and my whole body reeled under the excess weight I carried around every day. Honestly, when I looked in a mirror, I didn’t see myself as fat, just a well maybe a little plump, but I was happy! But as a Christian minister, I knew that being overweight was not only unpleasant for others to look at, but it seriously hampered my ministry. Well, you say how’s that? Let me tell you because I’m asking you to consider these things yourself regardless of being in Christian service or not. To begin with, God made me aware that,

1. BEING OVERWEIGHT MADE ME DISOBEDIENT TO GOD  (Prov. 23:20-21) – Yes, I know overeating is one of the churches “respectable” sins. But it’s true, the devil delights with the emotional hang ups that come when being overweight hinders one’s Christian service. How? The Bible tells me and every Christian,

1 Cor 6:19-20 (NIV)  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; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

All the statistics and health warnings now tell us that being overweight shortens our life spans and is the leading cause of many lifelong and threatening illnesses. How can one “honor God with the body,” when we desecrate His temple by gluttony and the ruination of the body? I came to realize I was sinning against God by doing just that. In fact, I personally  began to see the beginning of illness myself. Being overweight I began to suffer regular gastric disturbances. I lived daily on “Mylanta,” to sooth a seriously upset stomach. In addition my blood pressure went up with my weight, not to mention my back went out as well. One day though, God seemed to say to me in my devotional time “I was digging my grave with my teeth.” Moreover, how could I be an example to others of the life saving and regenerating power of God in salvation, and have no victory over the body that controlled me. I was devastated. So for me it was sin to be overweight. Amazingly, no one ever mentioned it to me, not even my doctors who weighed me each time I went to their office. Yet God did speak to my spirit. Friend, this is confession time, so let me go on. I resisted this, for I truly loved food, and still do. The result was the weight continued to increase and my health problems with it. It finally hit home when an annual prostate exam revealed abnormalities. My doctor told me that although there is no conclusive studies to prove this, he said, excess consumption of “fat” may soon prove to be a leading contributing factor in exciting such abnormalities and cancers.

Well, an “alarm bell” instantly went off in my head and it seemed to me that God was warning me to begin doing something about my weight problem, which was my besetting sin. It was at that point, I begin an exercise and healthy eating program. With God’s help and wanting to please him with my body, I lost upwards of 75 pounds. That was almost ten years ago. It took more than six months, but I was grateful for the new vigor, stamina, and well-being of my body, soul and spirit it brought, not to mention the pleasure of my wife and family. Now that’s not the end of the story. I kept that weight off for six years. But then, with a move to a new ministry, and  still loving food, I slowly began slipping and no longer watched my weight or eating habits. I somehow assumed I would stay in the same shape. But alas, I didn’t and soon the weight came back, not as much as before, but significantly to register me as “obese” again! With it came the associated health problems which surfaced again. This time I knew my sin was ever before me, and only I could do something about it. I prayed, and asked the Lord for forgiveness and made a commitment to Him I was resolved to maintain a healthy exercise and eating program once again, but this time it would be for the rest of my life.

Since then I’ve lost 50 pounds and am working hard to keep it off. Now, saying all that, what other reasons are there for preventing or removing excess weight for a Christian? Let me give you a few as I said before for me…

2. BEING OVERWEIGHT DESTROYS GOOD HEALTH  – Christians will be spending more and more of God’s funds on health care rather than on God’s work being overweight. Do you know that,“a weight gain of just 11-18 pounds can double your risk of developing diabetes, and shorten your lifespan?” In addition, if our health fails, so do our opportunities for sacred service, and at best, they will be severely limited. Commitment to Christ for all Christians calls for complete surrender – including OUR BODIES! Note what the Bible says,

Rom 12:1 (NIV)  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

We must take proper care of our bodies, the temples of God, or we are sinning against God in this manner. Furthermore, we must also realize that…

3. BEING OVERWEIGHT ROBS YOU OF THE JOY OF LIVING – Food for me was an escape from the stress and pressure of ministry. Indeed, everyone of us in this fast paced society is under stress, and eating is a simple way to temporarily relieve it. But real joy doesn’t come from eating, rather from obedience to God in all areas of our lives. Job writes in the Old Testament,

Job 20:5 (NIV)  the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.

Yes, a fullness of the stomach is pleasurable, but it doesn’t solve our problems, it only creates new ones. Joy comes when we are obedient to God in all areas of our lives. Caring for the body is a big one. In all honestly, many who are overweight are embarrassed of their bodies, and try to hide them. We therefore avoid being anywhere we can be seen. We become loners hating every moment of it. In addition, we long to wear clothing that fits right, looks good, and reveals we are in control of that which we are not. You know, there are really no jolly fat people, that’s a lie! People who are seriously overweight are easily depressed, and long for a body that is lean and thin. Being fat causes many to lose self-esteem and even hate themselves, and you who are overweight know it! But there’s more…

4. BEING OVERWEIGHT AFFECTS OUR CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY – Yes my Christian friend it really does! How can we witness to others of God’s saving grace and transforming power over the flesh and spirit, when we are not even in control of our bodies? Our first witness is our body, everyone can see, and being overweight or obese shouts to those around us we are its slave, and answer its call every time it cries out to be satisfied. Paul the apostle said,

1 Cor 9:27 (NLT)  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

2 Pet 2:19 (NIV)  … a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

How great and difficult it is being overweight and fat, to be that witness God wants us to be, to show the world, we are indeed a “new creation” in Christ. You know, that’s what the Bible says,

2 Cor 5:17 (NLT)  “… those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!”

But not only are these things a part of obesity, there are other factors that make being overweight sin too. For instance,

5. BEING OVERWEIGHT CAUSE US TO BE POOR STEWARDS OF GOD’S FUNDS – Obesity is expensive! Think how much money you spend on excess foods, cakes, and other desserts, eating out, visiting that bakery. Also, the added expense in buying special fit clothes, that cost much more, to cover our larger bodies. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company says,

“For every inch your waist measurement exceeds your chest measurement, subtract two years from your life!”  We all will pay for this sin of gluttony one way or another. It is expensive.

Now, think of the money that’s spent on excess food, clothing and health needs that could be given to missions to get the gospel out all across the globe, not to mention locally to your own church ministries to help feed and clothe the poor and needy. When I began dieting and eating sensibly, and lost that excess weight, literally, our food bills decreased; my clothing bills went down; my health has improved and less doctor’s visits are necessary and my prostate problem has virtually disappeared.

Now as I share this talk with you today, my heart is heavy for the fact that I know I’m speaking to many of you out there, who need to hear this. Perhaps your doctor is silent, your mate or family is silent, and your friends are silent. Everyone seems to fear telling others about this need that may be in their life when they see it in you. But I can do it, for I am one of you, and with God’s help and strength I’ve been given victory! Now this victory is not a once for all “silver bullet,” that slays the dragon desire of food. It is a battle for life. I confess I am a “food-aholic,” if I can coin that word. I still love to eat, and can if not careful overeat and gain unnecessary weight and sin again against God in this area again. So what do I do? Well I exercise every day or other day, for at least 30-45 minutes a day. I also eat sensibly, and look at labels at the fat content and calorie amounts. I try to eat more vegetables and fruit, and less carbohydrates found in bread, cookies, cakes, etc. I drink at least eight glasses of water every day, and I pray for God’s strength and blessing as I’m working out obedience to His will and word for my life.

Also, I weight myself daily and when the pounds begin to increase from a special meal I’ve had with friends and family, I temporarily diet for the next day or two, and increase my exercise till the weight is back down to where it should be.

Now friend, what I’ve said some will say has little to do with preaching the Gospel, that Christ died for our sins and that the Lord Jesus through His resurrection from the dead has effectively purchased your forgiveness and granted life eternal, which He offers to all who will receive Him. Well I say, on the contrary, salvation is not just of the soul and spirit. It involves the body as well. Although the penalty for sin has forever claimed our earthly bodies, for we will all die one day, God expects us to exhibit that changed life that shows we are “under new management,” in our spirit soul and body! So, are you doing this? Are you displaying it by your body? Can you commit to do this, or better yet, will you? The real question I faced was “Am I willing to change the way I live?” Well I was and still am, and with God’s help I’ll keep my weight where it should be to honor God’s temple my body, and I will no longer abuse it and destroy my Christian testimony by the sin of gluttony and being overweight.

Say friend how about you? You too can lose that weight, and God will help you, if you are serious and confess obesity as sin, and seek His help. In addition, it’s not wrong to see your doctor and ask him or her for a plan to lose that weight. If you are married, ask your spouse to work with you. My wife and I both went on the diet and exercise program and enjoyed losing weight together. Hold yourself accountable to others. You can also work with many good weight reduction exercise programs out there. I used, “Walk Away the Pounds,” an exercise video series, and still do. It keeps me disciplined in caring for body. So you choose, my friend, but choose you must, or you may be one of the statistics that will one day reveal you dug your grave with your teeth. May the living God, the Lord Jesus Christ spare us from such sin, and may the victory chant of slimming down to a God honoring weight, be yours through faith in Jesus Christ. God bless…

…The best way to gauge your risk of physical death is by your physical fitness doctors say. But the best way to gauge your risk of spiritual death is by your relationship to Jesus Christ. Do you know Him as your Lord God and Savior from your sins? Jesus said,

John 8:24 (NIV)  I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”

John 11:25-26 (NIV)  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

May God grant you a long and healthy physical life, through care of your body! But may God also grant you eternal and joyous spiritual life through Christ the Lord.

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[1] “WHY WEIGHT MATTERS, Obesity & Your health,” ABC News report on May 4, 2001.

·         Radio talk #4502

·         Broadcast date: November 10, 2002

·         Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

·         Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast

·         Address: P.O. Box 40133 Grand Junction, CO 81504

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 23 years, and serves as General Director.

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These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also.