Caring for Our Bodies: Biblical Guidance on Health and Spiritual Responsibility

Understanding Our Bodies as Temples

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, it says,..." do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (NASB) Wow. How beautiful is that? I often think, "How can it be the Holy Spirit within me?!" This itself is motivation to honor my body. Or should I say His?

How does each of us care for our body? How can we expect to take care of a larger body, the church, if we do not first take care of our own body? It's human tendency to be either too hard or too easy on the body. Finding balance is tough. Sometimes you may feel yourself switching between the two. For myself, I have been too hard and too easy; overdisciplined and no discipline. But I have found that with great love their is great responsibility and, yes, this applies to our bodies as well.

Contemplate your body as a temple for the Holy Spirit. What kind of responsibility do you have to care for this temple? To maintain your physical health? How is this accomplished? We have influencers everywhere talking about the next biggest guaranteed to work idea that they launch and make mega money off of. But really it is so much more simple than that. Its eating healthy food, exercising, getting good quality sleep and learning how to destress. Because of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us we can find strength to act in ways that nourishes the body. By doing this we honor the very Divine Presence within us.

What is your life worth? To God you have immense value. God created you and me to be the very best version of ourselves. This includes all aspects of ourselves including the physical. Can you love what God loves? Can you love the very body He gave to you? Appreciating all you have been given can draw you closer to God and inspire you to care for your body. Through nourishing the body with healthy food, activity and rest. Honoring your gift by not abusing it through detrimental behaviors like substance abuse or other negative behaviors.

Training our bodies physically can be done in so many joyful ways. It can be a time of prayerful walks or community activities (like a 5k) that create shared moments remembered long after. It can be at a gym where your presence inspires others to keep going. There are so many ways that physical training can become a witness for Christ and for a spiritual deepening of your own faith.

Just as we are responsible for our own health, Christ nourishes the Church. In Scripture, tit is 'the body of Christ.' He provides for its needs with care and wisdom. Think of it as Divine nurturing, a model for us; we certainly can work toward this in our own bodies. Then we are affirming our love of Christ, and yes even reflecting it towards others. For by caring for ourselves we can better care for others as well as model how they can care for themselves.

Glorifying God in All Actions

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God." Think about this verse, our health and diet are not just a personal choice but there is spiritual significance. Additionally, scripture clearly expresses the idea that even our daily choices, from meal selections to our general lifestyle behavior, there are many opportunities to show joy and gratitude thus reverence to God. Wow, I pray before meals but never thought about praying before a workout or before getting into a car or brushing my teeth. Okay I'm getting a bit over the top I know. But it is true that God is with us always and everywhere. Praise be to God!

To be honest when I first came back to God in college I would pray for Jesus to dance with me. Every time I prayed this simple prayer I found myself dancing on a different level, holding a balance longer, executing a turn or jump with precision. I remember being so amazed!

So through the lens of 1 Corinthians 10:31, we are invited to make every action an act of thankfulness to God, aspiring to live a life that deliberately acknowledges the Creator in all things. Through this our lives will be abundantly spiritually richer.

Physical Discipline Within Spiritual Context

In 1 Timothy 4:8, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."A great reminder that our life here is not the end goal but our eternal life is he priority. This doesn't mean ignore body though. It means make it second to the spiritual journey

Discipline of the body is a path to gain spiritual disciple as well. Especially when the choices are for better health. There are many cheats when it comes to both diets and exercise learning the best way to care for the body becomes a spiritual quest. I can buy low calorie items but if they are not good for my health then it is a cheat that really hurts me in the long run. I can get pumped up about the latest exercise fad but if it fades away within a few weeks time then my fitness will have little progress.

On the other hand, if I choose to eat whole foods and exercise regularly. If I am honest and use this opportunity to confront weakness in myself. If I can bring it to the feet of Christ. If I can accept His love for me even in my weakness. Then I can begin a journey that is real, honest, humble and will bring both physical and spiritual growth.

Knowing that the love God has for each of us overcomes all. With His mercy and His love you can do all things. God did not come to condemn you He came to save you. So with this love be kind to the very vessel He gave to you. Treat it as you would the most expensive car with great care, the right fuel, not overworking it, not under driving it. Take care of your life and your vessel as you would care for the greatest of things.

For it truly is.