A sermon clip from an Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor is going viral after he criticized other ministers for being physically fit. The pastor, identified in the post by Protestia, called out young preachers who spend time in the gym. He described them as effeminate, lip wristed, and lily livered. He also said they are acting like a woman.
The pastor took specific issue with preachers who post gym selfies and wear tight shirts. He said, They taking off the shirts and working out. It makes me sick. That is effeminate. He went on to mock them for posing and taking photos. He argued that these pastors are trying to undermine anyone whose waistline is bigger than theirs. He contrasted them with the preachers he respects. He said, Every preacher I ever really got ministry to had a belly on him.
He used Scripture to support his view, quoting 1 Tim 4: 8, which says bodily exercise profits little. He also said a real preacher is a leather lung, high blood pressure, gravy slopping, biscuit eating Baptist. The clip has sparked a wide debate online about health, legalism, and what it means to be a godly minister.
Please pray for all pastors as they seek to honor God with their bodies and their ministries. As 1 Cor 6:19 says, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you. May we pursue health and holiness together.