Your Body Is Not Your Own
“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 him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
The concept of the body as a spiritual temple means that your body was not just created for a physical purpose but also a spiritual one. Your body is a sacred space that deserves care, attention, and respect so that it can be used to know, love, enjoy, serve and glorify God by the power of the Holy Spirit. When you were made a new creation through God’s grace by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you became a vessel for the Holy Spirit. This perspective shifts the focus from the external appearance of the body to its internal state and how it is treated.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come”
When you view your body as a spiritual temple, you are more likely to prioritize healthy practices that nourish your body and soul. This includes techniques such as healthy eating, physical movement, prayer, meditation on God's word, and rest. You begin to see your body not as a tool for achieving external goals but as a vehicle for attaining internal growth and transformation for the sake of the Kingdom.
This perspective can also shift your relationship with your body image. A society that often prioritizes external appearance over internal health can easily fall into the trap of negative body image, self-criticism, unhealthy comparison and/or self-glorification. However, when you view your body as a spiritual temple, you begin to see it in a different light. You start to appreciate your body and the way God uniquely created you. This understanding of the body also preserves the image-bearing value of every human being. In the face of unexpected circumstances that may have changed your physical body’s ability, the spiritual value of your body remains unscathed.
These are truths I have clung to as a father to a daughter with Down syndrome and as a man who has walked through the effects of a bilateral stroke.
Knowing the value of your body in God’s eyes can also lead you to a deeper connection with the world around you. When you view your body as a spiritual temple, you recognize the interconnectedness between your body, mind, and spirit and between God, yourself and the world. This can lead to greater compassion, gratitude, and reverence for all living things.
Here are some specific examples and practical tips for caring for the temple of the Spirit, that is your body:
1. Nourish your body with healthy food. Just as you would not litter the floor of a church building with trash, you can strive to keep clean your body. Nourish your body with micronutrient-rich foods (think “eat the rainbow” of the abundant vegetables and fruits God has provided). Balance your macronutrient intake (lean proteins, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates) during meals and snacks. Micro and macronutrient deficiencies are common. We are one of the most overfed and undernourished countries in the world (1). It is for this reason, that we strongly encourage our clients to take our free HIPAA compliant health assessment that uses 10,000 independent peer reviewed studies to create a personalized vitamin regimen made just for you. Stay hydrated! Water is a gift from God. Aim to consume about half your body weight in ounces of filtered water each day.
2. Take time to connect with your body and be present in the moment. Practice techniques like deep breathing, prayer, and stretching to cultivate a deeper awareness and appreciation for your body. God created you; enjoy abiding in Him and thanking Him for the air He has placed in your lungs, the heart He has chosen to sustain and the mind He has given you to know and love Him.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
3. Get enough sleep. Rest is essential for physical, mental, and spiritual health. Establish a regular sleep schedule and aim for at least 7-8 hours each night. For a deeper dive into sleep, check out Kathy’s blog post “Restful Sleep.”
4. Stay active. Exercise is important not only for your physical health but also for your mental and emotional well-being. Find an activity you enjoy and make it a regular routine. God created your body with a unique genetic design. If you are uncertain about what types of exercise would be most beneficial to you, check out the nutrition and exercise DNA test we recommend for all of our clients. We provide for you a detailed Genetic Action Plan that will equip you to know how to eat and how to move in accordance with your DNA.
5. Avoid harmful substances. Just as you would never want to damage a sacred space with toxic substances, you should strive to avoid harmful elements that can harm your body. Research has proven time and again that tobacco, drugs, and excessive alcohol can wreak havoc on the body for a lifetime.
6. Surround yourself with positive people. Strive to place yourself around people and environments that support your physical and spiritual well-being. This will require intentionality. If the majority of your day is, for example, spent in a work environment with others who do not share your values and beliefs, it will be critical that you create space in your week to seek out a community of believers who can pray for, love and support you on your journey. Find a local, gospel-preaching church that lives out the tenants of the faith. Surround yourself with a body of believers who exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, are committed to sacrificial loving and are striving for holy living.
“Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals”
7. Practice gratitude. Take time daily to express gratitude for God and the body He created. Thank Him for all that it does. Cultivate a positive mindset and focus on the many blessings and gifts that your body provides.
In conclusion, the concept of the body as a spiritual temple is a powerful perspective that can transform your relationship with God and the body He has given you. It shifts the focus from external appearance to internal health and well-being and can lead to a greater sense of connection with God, His world and His people. You can achieve greater inner peace, joy, and fulfillment by caring for your body as a sacred space designed for a Kingdom purpose.
Your body is not your own; that is good news.