What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul warned Christians against treating their body like they can consume anything, and their faith will make it okay. Let me tell you, you can’t “cast out” calories. Your body is on loan from God and should be treated with respect as if it were a fantastic gift from Him.
I understand that many societal pressures make eating unhealthy food and living unhealthy lives a norm for many believers. But suppose we genuinely recognize our bodies as temples. In that case, we can cultivate a more profound sense of responsibility for our well-being and that our physical health directly impacts our spiritual vitality. If your body isn’t healthy, you can’t go out and lay hands on the sick and see them recover. If you can’t breathe, you can’t prophesy.
If our bodies belong to God, we must honor and care for them. This means making choices that glorify God through diet, exercise, or overall lifestyle. Paul’s message is clear: neglecting our physical health is not just a personal issue but a spiritual one.
Are your sleep patterns holding you back from doing all God has called you to do?
Is your daily McDonald’s trip hindering the anointing on your life from flowing through you because your body is too sluggish to move forward?
No one would go to a grand cathedral or even their local church and start dumping garbage all over the altar, would they? Yet God calls the body you are living in His holy temple. Why would we treat it with such disgust? Believers should pray, asking the Holy Spirit how they should treat their bodies. They should also make it a point to surround themselves with a community of faith that encourages healthy living.
Practical Application
Treating your body as a temple will require effort. Prioritize sleep and rest, evaluate your diet, and commit to a regular exercise routine that suits your lifestyle. Whether it’s walking, classes, or weight training, find an activity you enjoy and make it a priority.