FOCUS: Your body as the Temple of God.

By Jinadu Ibukun

Recently the Holy Spirit has been so intentional in teaching and guiding me on honouring my body as His temple, and I will share a few points. When scripture refers to our bodies as the temple of God, it is not a metaphor to be taken lightly.  Understanding this truth reshapes how we live, the decisions we make, what we consume, how we carry ourselves, what time we decide to go to bed, whether to rest or continue working and generally, how we honour God, not just with our spirits but with our physical bodies.

●      1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.” 

Reading through the Old Testament gave me a better understanding of how the temple was a sacred place, meticulously designed, carefully maintained, and deeply revered because God’s presence dwelt there. Today, we as believers are that temple, God does not live in buildings made by human hands, He lives in us. Wherever we go, God goes. What we expose ourselves to, we expose His Spirit to. It is so important that we understand this truth to guide us live our lives with a holy awareness.

What Does It Mean to Honor God With Your Body?

1. Commit to chastity

The temple is a place of holiness. As God’s temple, we are called to pursue purity in thoughts, words, and actions, which cannot be overemphasized. We as believers have the Holy Spirit to help us abstain from sexual immorality of any sort. Scriptures make us understand that without holiness no man can see God. If we really want to see God move in our lives, chastity is a key factor.

●      Romans 12:1(NIV) – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”     

2. Watch what you take in

Just as the temple in the Old Testament had sacred utensils and forbidden items, in the same regard, now that our bodies host the presence of God, our body, spirit and soul are sacred. We must be careful what we feed our bodies and minds, most especially through what we eat and drink, social media entertainment, the kind of movies we watch, the type of music we listen to, our environment, the circle of friends we keep or the community we belong to. We must make a conscious effort to filter what goes into us.

●      Philippians 4:8 (NIV) – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

3. Care for Your Health

I remember a Bible study we had in church a while back, where we discussed how everyone that came to Jesus, He healed. God's plan for us is not to be sick, but rather that we be in good health. Scripture makes us understand that two can only work together if they agree, meaning we have a part to play in caring for our health as well. Physical wellness is spiritual stewardship, eating right, resting adequately, good personal hygiene and exercising are not just lifestyle choices, they are spiritual responsibilities.

●      3 John 1:2 (NKJV) – “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

4. Be Disciplined

We see through the Old Testament how temples were governed by structure and order. As God’s temple, we must live with spiritual discipline in prayer, fasting, study, and daily conduct. Discipline helps us become effective witnesses of Christ in both character and conduct, where we get to experience greater intimacy with the Holy Spirit, thereby making us less vulnerable to temptation.

●      1 Corinthians 9:27 – “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (NKJV)

CONCLUSION

I will conclude by sharing a personal experience. I noticed that I was constantly treating an inflammation called haemorrhoids. Initially I thought it was hereditary and that made me relax thinking I had no part to play. I continued to eat whatever I felt like, while I kept treating the inflammation. One day I was in so much pain I cried to God to heal me, and the Holy Spirit stirred me in the direction of changing my diet. He told me the food not to eat. I struggled initially but I found the strength and three weeks after consistently following a new diet plan, the inflammation shrunk, and the pain seized. To treat your body as the temple of God is to honour the presence of the One who lives in you, It is a daily call to reverence and responsibility. Your body is not your own. It is a vessel, a sanctuary, a sacred space for the King of Glory.

●      1 Corinthians 3:16-17(NIV)- “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

So ask yourself daily, Is God pleased with how I am treating His temple today?

Because when we live with this awareness, our choices, habits, lifestyle, diet and desires begin to reflect God in us.

REFERENCE

●      biblegateway.com, New International Version (NIV)

●      biblegateway.com, New King James Version (NKJV)