"Should I quit going to the gym if seeing women in gym outfits makes me lust?"
Got Questions - "Should I quit going to the gym if seeing women in gym outfits makes me lust?" Answered by Luke Marriner
First, it is important to note that going to the gym can be a greatly beneficial way to discipline our bodies. In Romans 7:13-25 Paul walks through the internal war that wages between the flesh and the spirit of each believer. Our flesh refers to the body we live in, it is how we relate to the physical world we live in. Our flesh tells us when we’re hungry, thirsty, cold, etc. Our spirit refers to how we relate to God; it is dead by nature (Ephesians 2:1-3). Furthermore, due to the effects of original sin, our flesh is decaying and subject to the power of sin. Unlike our spirits, which can be regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8), our flesh will never be redeemed (Romans 8:5-11), hence why we will one day receive new bodies (Romans 8:22-24).
Though the spirits of believers desire to obey and please God, the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). This is why in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul makes it known that he disciplines his body, or as other translations say, he makes his body his slave. Paul reinforces that believers must have control over their bodies and the urges of the flesh. As we are sanctified, we continually have our minds (how we ultimately make decisions) renewed to rely more on the Spirit and less on the flesh (Romans 12:2). On top of this, we cannot only practice disciplining our bodies but must see it as a means to train ourselves for godliness (1 Timothy 4:6-10). If we are to kill sin in our lives, we must practice spiritual disciplines to further our reliance upon the Holy Spirit (which leads us to please God) and discipline our bodies to weaken our dependence upon our flesh (which desires to sin).
This is all to say that any form of exercise, such as weight training, running, swimming, etc., are all tremendous ways to discipline the body and weaken your mind’s reliance upon the flesh. Therefore the issue arises in that while trying to train the body for godliness, one may fall into sin upon seeing provocative clothing in the gym. Paul is extremely clear about the severity of sexual immorality, describing how it is different from other sins because it is not only outside our bodies but is also sinning against our own bodies, the very temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). Scripture warns us to resist the devil so that he will flee from us (James 4:7-10), but with sexual immorality, it says to run. Do not try to fight it because you are not strong enough; run from it.
Since Scripture is clear on the deadliness of sexual immorality, if going to the gym leads you to fall into this sin, then it is time to figure out a solution combining practical barriers and renewing your mind. Here are a few examples of practical solutions:
If you cannot go to your current gym without falling into sexual lust, then do not go.
There are other places to work out, such as at home with bodyweight exercises or less-expensive home workout equipment.
Try to find another gym that has a stricter dress code. There is likely a smaller gym at a church near you that you could ask the church staff about using.
If you can go to your gym but occasionally struggle with looking at others working out in provocative clothing, then…
Move to the other side of the gym.
Go to the gym at a different time of day.
Work out with a friend who will keep you accountable.
Watch a sermon on your phone between sets and listen while working out.
Close your eyes and spend time in prayer between sets.
Praise God for saving you despite your sinfulness.
Look at the ground or ceiling.
Though practical barriers are good and can certainly help in fighting and fleeing from sin, the issue goes far deeper than just the external temptations. Be honest with yourself; is the gym the only place you fall into sexual lust? It’s more than likely that if someone struggles with lust in the gym, other places or things will trigger those same thoughts and desires. Therefore, the internal desires of our flesh must be dealt with while we implement these practical barriers.
How is this done? Primarily by practicing spiritual disciplines such as reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating over Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Alongside the importance of Scripture is praying to God, knowing that He cares for our burdens (Hebrews 4:15-16) and is faithful to provide a way of escaping any temptation we face (1 Corinthians 10:13). Other spiritual disciplines involve fasting, giving generously, spending time in solitude, attending church and worshiping God with fellow believers weekly, and more. Practicing these disciplines more consistently will strengthen your reliance upon the Holy Spirit and starve the desires of the flesh (Romans 13:11-14).
It’s also important to note that you cannot control what others wear to the gym, and those without Christ remain in a depraved state. Therefore, those without Christ shouldn’t be expected to dress modestly because they live for their own pleasure and not for God’s (1 John 2:15-17). Pray for those who dress provocatively to come to know Christ rather than condemn them. Apart from God’s grace, you would be no different (Titus 3:3).
Over time, by the work of the Spirit in your life, it will become easier to recognize temptations and then either resist or flee from them. In this specific scenario, it will become easier to stay consistent with those practical barriers and flee from the temptations to lust. Walk with the Spirit, deny the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25). Remember that sanctification is not always going to be consistent. There will be greatly fruitful times, and there will be slower times of growth or even times of slipping into sin, but over time you will become more like Christ. Know that the Lord cares deeply for you and your sanctification. Lastly, know you’re not alone. Many others struggle to flee this world's lustful temptations and desire to work with fellow believers on starving their flesh and strengthening their reliance upon the Spirit of God (Hebrews 10:23-25).