Taking Care of the Temple

^“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19,20 NASB).

How do we “glorify God” in our bodies?  If God is a spirit, and we worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24), what does this verse mean?  How can we glorify God in a body?

The answer must be in scripture.  So what does God tell us about our bodies?  He encourages rest (Ex. 20:8-11; Mark 6:31) and warns against excesses (Prov. 23:20-21; Phil. 3:19; Tit. 2:6).  The scriptures are even full of commands and tips about proper body care.  Prov. 3:7-8 tells us that to fear the Lord and depart from evil brings abdominal and bone health, while Prov. 14:30 admonishes us against envy, because it rots the bones.  We must realize that the scriptures are alive, active, and very practical.

To neglect our bodies, to be worn out and used up does not bring much glory to God.  If you, like I, have spent much of your life neglecting or even abusing your own body, please don’t “beat yourself up” over it (pun intended)!  Instead, start fresh today.  Take care of the body that He’s given you.  Love it.  Cherish it.  Make it fit for His service.

Peace.

Davina