Our Obsession with the Body: A Spiritual Reflection on the Fall
As I’ve walked alongside others on their spiritual journeys, I’ve observed an intriguing pattern. Much like what David Kuykendall noted in his writings, the majority of prayer requests in church settings tend to center on physical ailments and bodily healing. Similarly, many of the people I guide struggle with an intense focus on their physical bodies—be it an ailment, a health concern, or even the looming fear of death. This preoccupation with the body often borders on the obsessive, leading them to scour the internet for answers or rely heavily on alternative medicine, but rarely to seek definitive, professional help.
This phenomenon raises an important question: Why are we so focused on our bodies, sometimes to the point of neglecting the deeper issues of the soul and spirit? The answer may trace back to a critical moment in history—the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden.
The Fall and the Shift in Focus
Before the fall, Adam and Eve lived in a state of perfect harmony with God, themselves, and each other. Their focus was entirely on God as their source of life, identity, and security. Genesis 2:25 tells us, “The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” They were free from self-consciousness, fully absorbed in their communion with God.
But after they sinned, everything changed. Genesis 3:7 records: “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” Why the sudden preoccupation with their nakedness?
This newfound self-awareness was not mere physical embarrassment; it signified a catastrophic spiritual shift. By choosing to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve rejected God as their source of life and chose independence. In doing so, their focus turned inward. They became acutely aware of their vulnerabilities, including their physical bodies, and sought to manage their newfound sense of inadequacy on their own terms.
From that moment on, humanity’s relationship with the body—and with life itself—has been marked by a distorted focus. What God created as "very good" (Genesis 1:31) became a source of anxiety, shame, and preoccupation.
Our Modern-Day Fig Leaves
Today, this preoccupation manifests in various ways. For many, it’s an obsession with physical health—whether through endless internet searches, reliance on alternative treatments, or an overwhelming fear of illness and death. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with caring for our physical well-being, this focus often reveals a deeper issue: a misplaced trust.
Jesus addressed this tendency when He said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25). His point was clear: our physical needs, while important, are not ultimate. God, who clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air, is fully capable of meeting our needs. Yet, like Adam and Eve, we often try to take matters into our own hands, relying on our limited understanding rather than trusting in God.
Surrendering the Body to God
In guiding others, I’ve noticed that the journey toward full surrender to God often brings up issues related to the body. For many, physical ailments or health concerns become a barrier to trusting God fully. There’s a fear of letting go, as if surrendering to God might mean losing control over their health or well-being.
But true surrender doesn’t mean neglecting the body; it means placing it in God’s hands. Romans 12:1 exhorts us, “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.” Offering our bodies as living sacrifices means acknowledging that they belong to God. It’s an act of trust, recognizing that He is the ultimate caretaker of our body, soul, and spirit.
A Balanced Perspective
How, then, should we approach the body as believers? Here are a few principles:
Recognize the Body’s Value and Limitations
Scripture affirms the body’s value. It is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and an essential part of who we are. Yet, it is also temporary and subject to decay (2 Corinthians 4:16). This balance reminds us not to idolize or neglect the body but to steward it wisely.Shift Your Focus to God as the Source
Obsessing over the body often stems from a desire for control. But Jesus invites us to release that burden. When we seek God first and trust Him with our needs, He promises to provide (Matthew 6:33).Embrace the Hope of Resurrection
The body’s ultimate redemption lies not in perfect health here and now but in the resurrection. Philippians 3:21 assures us, “[Jesus] will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” This eternal perspective helps us hold our current struggles loosely.Trust God in Weakness
Physical weakness can be a powerful teacher, drawing us closer to God. Paul understood this when he wrote, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our limitations are an opportunity to experience God’s sufficiency.
Encouragement for the Journey
If you find yourself or those you guide consumed with bodily concerns, take heart. This is a common struggle, rooted in humanity’s fall but redeemable through Christ. As we surrender our bodies to God and refocus on Him as our source, we discover the peace and freedom that Adam and Eve lost in the garden.
Remember Jesus’ comforting words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). True rest comes not from controlling every aspect of our physical lives but from trusting the One who holds all things in His hands. May we find the courage to lay down our fig leaves, surrender our bodies, and embrace the abundant life Christ offers.