When you hear the phrase “martial arts,” certain pictures come to mind. A room full of young people in white robes chanting to the commands of their sensei. A kung fu movie with monks battling to the death. Black-robed ninjas on a secret mission.

Or you might simply think of it as an activity that some of your friends at school have gotten involved in, and it sounds like fun. You may know someone who joined a class to learn karate, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), or another form of martial arts and they seem to have benefited. Martial arts are said to build confidence, discipline and strength.

With so much praise for these practices, it may appear to be a great way to improve yourself. But before stepping onto the mat, consider where martial arts come from and their true purpose.

Were they created simply for fitness and self-improvement, or do they have deeper, more concerning roots? Many popular activities seem harmless until examined through God’s perspective. What does He say?

Disciplined Activity?

The foundation of most martial arts disciplines reveals a very different purpose than just a harmless workout. Many styles are specifically designed with a single intention: to defeat an opponent in a fight.

Martial arts focus on fighting, engaging in combat and subduing—even killing—an adversary. More deadly forms such as kung fu are designed to inflict as much damage as possible while expending the least amount of energy. In short, martial arts are designed to efficiently injure, maim or kill.

Proponents are quick to state that modern disciplines are only meant to be forms of self-defense, not to hurt others. However, what would be the expected outcome of knowing how to block, punch or kick with the goal of incapacitating someone? Martial arts are designed to injure others—to make yourself a human weapon! As a young person in the Church, you should not be training yourself to become a weapon, no matter your intentions.

God’s Word clearly shows that we should not learn this type of behavior. Jesus Christ said, “Be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). And John the Baptist taught, “Do violence to no man” (Luke 3:14).

Some may ask: Isn’t martial arts an effective way to protect oneself in a world that is growing darker and more violent? Wouldn’t taking karate lessons build confidence because you would know how to defend yourself?

Instead, you should be asking another question: What kind of protection should I really trust in?

Notice the following verses, which need little explanation.

Deuteronomy 13:4: “You shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him.”

Proverbs 14:26: “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.”

Psalm 91:7: “A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.”

If you are seeking God, you do not need to worry about physically protecting yourself. God promises through the Bible that, if you fear and obey Him, He will protect you and deliver you from every trial.

This is godly confidence—knowledge that God is guiding your life! Through obedience, you will have the ultimate “Bodyguard.” Ask: Do you want to learn a martial art that might allow you to protect yourself in a situation, but could also result in you hurting or killing another person? Or would you rather have the Being who created the universe keep that situation from even happening?

The answer should be obvious!

Mystical Connotation

Even in the most rudimentary martial arts training there is an undercurrent of mysticism. For beginners, this appears innocent—nothing more than focusing your mind by learning so-called meditation techniques. However, in more advanced training, most martial arts delve deeper into a mystical component. This could be vague “spiritual principles” or the belief in “magical energies” that govern how the practitioner executes attacks.

In Asian martial arts, for example, mystic components are religious in nature and can become defining characteristics of one’s life. Slowly, your goals and focus are shaped by your training as other, more important, aspects of your life are crowded out.

Many believe that to reach your full potential as a martial arts practitioner, for example, you must train your mind through different levels of meditation.

For beginners, this involves different breathing techniques teaching students how to “find their center.” Here is an example of this technique: “Extend your inhale and shorten the exhale. This will cause the energy to condense into the center line and will make it easier to feel your center. To help yourself find the center, you can also place your hands over the ears which will make sure that the energy doesn’t disperse” (Yang’s Martial Arts Association).

Though quite abstract, the movement of energy borders on dangerous spiritual territory. The more students seek to perfect their martial arts technique, the more they are taught to channel this energy through meditation that is founded on Eastern pagan beliefs and not on worshipping the God of the Bible.

What may seem innocent is casual involvement with the wrong kinds of spirit forces. The more involved you become in these, the less you will want to pay attention to correct spiritual understanding. Instead of centering on God and His principles, laws and attitudes, a martial artist becomes steeped in Eastern pagan religions.

In Exodus 34:14, God says, “You shall worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” God does not want His people to participate in any customs with roots in pagan religion. He wants you to worship Him only.

One more Bible verse shows why you should not participate in martial arts. The apostle Paul commanded in I Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Associating with evil, even only a little or with good intentions, is still wrong! Not only does it send the wrong message to others, you may eventually get pulled deep into full-on martial arts practices.

Positive Alternatives

To develop a well-rounded, healthy personality, you should experience a variety of exercises and sports. Putting all your energy into one activity, even a good one, is unbalanced. As you have seen, martial arts can become a way of life, not a harmless form of exercise.

Teens in God’s Church should not be involved in martial arts. But there are plenty of other ways to stay physically fit and develop discipline. In addition to team sports, activities like swimming, running, cycling and strength training can build endurance, agility and confidence—without combat or questionable philosophies.

Mental focus and self-discipline can be built by more than just physical training. Deep thinking and reflection should be centered on God’s Word through Bible study, prayer and meditating on His principles. Learning a new skill—like playing an instrument, woodworking or studying a language—also sharpens the mind and requires patience and dedication.

A balanced approach to health and life in general will help you develop into a more effective person. Paul wrote, “Let your moderation be known unto all men” (Phil. 4:5).

By obeying God and seeking His protection instead of martial arts, you will build confidence as you learn that the Being who created the entire universe has your back.

And you will fulfill God’s desire for you in III John 2: “I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”