In
1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul says, “Do you not
know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have
from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify
God in your body.”
This
would have been a very surprising statement for Paul to make to an assembly of
sophisticated Greeks living in the 1st century. The Greek view of
the body suggested it was the prison house of the soul. The body was a
hindrance to the freedom of the inner-self. That view caused many people in the
ancient world to disrespect their bodies in many health-destroying ways.
The
biblical view of the body is very different. From Genesis to Revelation the
Bible asserts a unity between the physical body and the immaterial soul. What
we do with our bodies affects our soul; what we do with our soul affects our
body. Because we are a soul/body unity, it’s critically important that we
respect our physical body as something that can impact emotions, joy and consequently
many ranges of mental health.
Conversely,
those disciplines that calm and center our soul on God have the potential to
affect our physical health.
Specifically,
in this case, Paul says, “Don’t commit acts of sexual immorality.” Why? We know
today from the vantage point of modern science that these acts will create
body/soul memories, imprints that often interfere with genuine long-term stable
relationships, especially with those we love the most, not to mention causing
estrangement in our relationship with God.
Moreover,
sexually transmitted diseases are exploding today. According to the CDC, “half
of the estimated 20 million STDs that occur in the United States each year are
among young people.” According to RH Reality Check, the recent rise in sexually
transmitted diseases continues as epidemic proportions (1).
But
we can extend Paul’s principle of respecting the God-given boundaries of our
bodies, to other areas as well. We live in a world where science-based studies
inform us about all sorts of healthy and unhealthy behaviors. So, I think Paul
would say, by application, “Look, glorify God in your bodies by maintaining
good habits of mental and physical health.”
All
of us know that certain habits will quickly destroy physical and mental health.
Pornography is a quick way to addiction. Drug abuse is a quick way to mental
instability. Abusing food is a slow path toward physical ill-health.
But
the ultimate reason for maintaining habits of health is that our bodies are a
portable mini-temple for the
Holy Spirit. Our bodies are containers. But they are more simply disposable
containers.
Our
bodies are dignified and spiritual. We are a temple reserved for God the Holy Spirit
to do his work.
If
we are healthy we’re going to
have greater opportunities to represent the risen Christ through the power of
his Spirit.
Another
passage supports this as well: Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual worship.” The fundamental way we steward our bodies is to present
them to God each day.
And
because we’re a soul/body unity,
we are simultaneously presenting both body and mind.
Daily
stewardship of our physical bodies is going to lead to greater long term health
and happiness.
Rod MacIlvaine - Director of
Faith-Based Research
W. Rodman MacIlvaine, III, DMin is on the
adjunct faculties of both Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Dallas
Theological Seminary. He is the founding senior pastor of Grace
Community Church in Northeastern, Oklahoma – a church that has worked
extensively to serve educational needs in the Spanish Speaking Caribbean.
A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Dr. MacIlvaine works with men
and women in transition, especially those who are shifting into second careers.
Dr. MacIlvaine specializes in apologetics from an historical and theological
perspective. His emphasis is in showing how adhering to God’s word has
generated many benefits to societies, cultures and individuals.
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