Spiritual Obesity
Spiritual obesity is when a person is full of the Word of God but doesn’t apply it in their life.
- They read their Bibles faithfully.
- They attend every church service.
- They listen to countless sermons.
Yet, despite all this intake, there’s a disconnection — the Word doesn’t go beyond the mind and heart. It isn’t reflected in their actions or shared with others. They consume the Word of God, drinking in all the richness of the gospel, but they never pour it out. Their spirit becomes bloated. They gorge on the meat and potatoes of God’s Word, but never exercise it in faith, love, or service. Over time, they grow spiritually fat — storing up powerful teachings, only to let them sit unused.
What happens to the physical body when it becomes obese?
According to Google:
Obesity is a chronic disease that occurs when there is an abnormal or excessive amount of fat in the body, which can lead to health problems.
A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher is considered obese.
So, what happens when a believer becomes spiritually obese? When they take in excessive amounts of sermons, scripture, and praise, but there’s no release — no sharing, no teaching, no serving?
Jesus gave us clear instruction in Matthew 28:19-20:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...”
This is the Great Commission, and it is not optional. As believers, we are called to share the gospel. The Word of God is not meant to be stored away like fat. It is meant to be shared, spoken, and lived out. It’s meant to be released into the world — to guide others to the light.
Some believers have grown spiritually lazy. They show up week after week, hearing sermon after sermon, only to feel inspired for a few hours — then return to routine. The Word becomes like a carbohydrate — something they crave weekly — but it isn’t metabolized into action. The spiritual fat accumulates, and over time, it creates an unhealthy imbalance.
Just like physical obesity hinders a person’s ability to function at full capacity, spiritual obesity keeps us from walking fully in our purpose. It brings spiritual fatigue, complacency, and disconnect. The weight of the Word — when not exercised — becomes a burden instead of a blessing.
But there’s good news.
Just as physical weight can be shed with healthy habits, spiritual weight can be released through obedience, service, and love.
Here are a few gentle ways to begin shedding spiritual weight:
- Join or start a small group with fellow believers to share, encourage, and grow together.
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” – Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)
- Pray and fast to ask the Lord how He desires to use you.
“I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.” – Psalm 35:13 (KJV)
- Lead a Bible study or step into an assignment God places on your heart — whether inside or outside the church.
- Volunteer in areas ordained by God — from mentoring youth to serving meals to the hungry — wherever He leads.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to embolden you to speak the Word to family, friends, coworkers and strangers.
“To the weak became I as weak... I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:22 (KJV)
Once we begin applying God’s Word, the spiritual heaviness begins to lift. We were never called to keep the truth to ourselves — we are called to be disciples of Yahweh, the One true God.
Meditate on Matthew 28:19.
Ask the Lord to show you the path He has laid out just for you. The spiritual weight will shed, not in vain, but in illumination — lighting the way for others To find Him.
