Become Like Jesus:

Train The Body

WHAT Does It Mean to Train The Body?

To train the body means to bring your physical life—your habits, actions, and routines—into alignment with the way of Jesus. It’s learning to live out your faith with your body, not just your beliefs.

Paul wrote:  “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)

Following Jesus isn’t just a spiritual journey—it’s an embodied one. God calls us to honor Him not only with our minds and hearts, but with our bodies.

WHY Training The Body Is of Utmost Importance

1. Because Your Body Is Part of Worship

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” - Romans 12:1

Training the body honors God with how you eat, rest, move, work, speak, and show up in the world.


2. Because Habits Shape Who You Become

Every repeated action—how you wake up, what you scroll, how you respond to stress—forms your character.

Training your body helps you develop holy habits that lead to a Christlike life.


3. Because You Were Made to Live an Embodied Faith

Jesus didn’t just believe or feel the Father’s will—He obeyed it with His body.

Your body is a vessel for obedience and love.

HOW to Train The Body: A Biblical and Practical Guide

Training the body is not about achieving perfection—it’s about developing disciplined, grace-filled habits that reflect the way of Jesus. Here’s how:

Step 1: Offer Your Body Daily to God

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…” – Romans 12:1

Each morning, begin by surrendering your body to God.

Practice Tip: In your morning prayer, touch each part of your body as you offer it to God: “God, use my eyes to see people with compassion… my mouth to speak truth… my hands to do good…”


Step 2: Practice Physical Disciplines That Shape the Soul

Spiritual disciplines are not just mental—they are embodied.

These are not just religious activities—they are spiritual workouts.

Practice Tip: Choose one embodied practice each week. Start small: fast one meal, unplug for an hour, go for a walk in silence with God.


Step 3: Watch What You Feed Your Body and Mind

Your body is shaped by what you consume—food, media, images, words, rhythms.

Practice Tip: Do a weekly audit of your physical habits to invite Jesus into your patterns:

Step 4: Let Your Body Serve Others

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Jesus trained His body for mission—and so do we.

Practice Tip: Ask: “Who can I physically bless this week?” Write a note, give a ride, make a meal, clean a room, sit with someone in silence.


Step 5: Embrace the Power of Repetition

Like physical training, spiritual training takes time and repetition.

1 Timothy 4:7 says, “Train yourself for godliness.” This is a  lifestyle—not a crash course.

Practice Tip: Create a simple rule of life—a rhythm of daily and weekly practices that involve your body (e.g., wake up routine, physical rest, tech boundaries, shared meals, prayer walks).

Train The Body Summary

To train your body is to…

Why it matters:


The way of Jesus is not only something you believe—it’s something you practice with your body, one day at a time.

A Quote About Discipline

If you’re a Christian, you are a disciple of Jesus. And by necessity, a disciple undergoes discipline. If a disciple is a student, then discipline is training. Jesus’ discipline for you, however severe (and it is severe at times), is not God’s wrath against you. If you are tempted to believe that, don’t. It’s your unbelief or the enemy talking to you. When Jesus became sin for you (2 Corinthians 5:21), He removed all of sin’s condemnation from you (Romans 8:1).

No! Discipline is training. Training in what? Training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). The unique training course that Jesus has designed for you (He designs a unique course for each disciple) has one great aim: to teach you to trust Him in everything. That’s His goal for you. Jesus wants you to learn to trust in Him in all things at all times. For the more you trust Jesus, the holier you become. 

- Jon Bloom

Train The Body Bible Verses