Many people today are obsessed with health and fitness. They
watch what they eat and exercise religiously, but is that really the most
important thing in life? Not according to Scripture. Paul told Timothy, “Bodily
discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all
things” (1 Tim. 4:8). Yet this doesn’t mean we should ignore our physical
bodies and indulge in unhealthy practices. These are the only bodies we have at
present—the only ones with which to serve the Lord and accomplish whatever He’s
planned for us. Therefore, we should do our best to take care of them.
So what does Scripture say about our bodies? Paul teaches
that if we are believers, they belong to God, are members of Christ, and are
temples of the Holy Spirit. What an amazing thought—that our bodies belong to
the divine Trinity. Therefore we must care for them and not ignore or abuse
them with sinful or self-indulgent practices.
Because Christians respect church as a place where God is
worshipped, none of us would walk into a sanctuary and deliberately vandalize
it by smearing paint all over the walls. Yet our bodies are indwelt by the Holy
Spirit and are worthy of more honor than any house of worship.
Nevertheless, some believers assume that neglecting or
mistreating their bodies is their prerogative. However, as we read in
Scripture, our bodies belong not to us but to the Lord, who purchased us with
His own blood. The goal isn’t to make physical health an idol, but to be
responsible to God for how we treat this marvelous gift from Him.
Thought for today:
Do I give thought to how I “use” and present my body?
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