“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 honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
As familiar as I am with this Scripture, I had never given much thought to its physical implications. I often focused only on the spiritual meaning of our bodies being temples of the Lord. Yet what we eat, how we dress, whether we exercise, and the overall way we treat our bodies matter too. Just as our choices can affect us spiritually, they can also affect us physically.
Daniel refused to compromise, not only by declining to bow to idols, but also by being careful about what he and his friends ate. Daniel 1:8 says that Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to do so.
Jesus also refused to compromise when the devil tempted Him while He was hungry. The devil challenged Him to turn stones into bread to satisfy a temporary need, but Jesus understood that the temptation was about far more than food.
Esau offers another biblical example: he traded his birthright for a bowl of stew, allowing an immediate appetite to outweigh something of lasting value.
Food can become an area of temptation in several ways. We may overeat or become gluttonous, but we can also harm our bodies by not eating and using starvation as punishment. At other times, we repeatedly choose foods that do not nourish us and may contribute to weight gain or disease. Honoring God with our bodies requires balance, wisdom, and self-control, not shame.
Food is not the only part of caring for our bodies; exercise matters too. As a young adult, I loved working out. I enjoyed going to the gym and watching my body become stronger and healthier. Somewhere along the way, however, I stopped exercising and stopped paying attention to the physical fitness of my temple.
Recently, I began exercising and going to the gym consistently again. The beginning was difficult, but accountability partners have been a tremendous blessing. I remember struggling to walk on the treadmill for fifteen minutes. At first, I gave up. When I returned, however, fifteen minutes became thirty, then forty-five, and eventually an hour. Now I often do not feel the burn until I have exercised for at least forty-five minutes. That progress required consistency and encouragement from wonderful friends.
God calls us to honor Him not only spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, but physically as well. A balanced life includes caring for how our bodies feel, function, and appear. We should learn to value movement as much as we enjoy food. Our lives should support the message we share about being good stewards of the temples God has given us.
I have learned that the body I could easily tone in my twenties is very different in my early forties. Four children later, my body does not respond as quickly as it once did. It takes time, effort, and consistency. I have had to develop better eating habits, which is not always easy.
Caring for our temples also means recognizing our current stage of life and adjusting accordingly. That may involve regular doctor visits and screenings, learning more about our bodies, researching our concerns, and praying for wisdom. Prayer matters, but we should not use “pray about it” as a substitute for seeking knowledge and appropriate care when our bodies are clearly telling us that something has changed.
Daughters of Fire, I pray that we will have more honest conversations in the body of Christ about the importance of caring for our physical bodies. You may have questions or feel that certain topics carry a stigma, but every part of us matters to God. After all, He created these temples in which His Spirit dwells. No sincere question about your health is foolish.
For years, beginning in childhood, I struggled with pornography and masturbation. As an adult, I would cry out to the Lord and repent, only to fall into the same pattern again. I felt unclean and ashamed, but I thank God for setting me free. Even now, I maintain boundaries around what I watch and read. If you are facing these struggles, I pray you find someone who will listen without judgment. I have learned that many women carry this burden in silence, weighed down by shame. Perhaps today can be a defining moment for you, because Jesus wants to set you free.
Daughter of Fire, my journey of rediscovery has led me to care for my body more intentionally. I know you can do it too. Let us continue to honor the Lord with our bodies. When you care for yourself, you often feel better, and we should strive to present our best selves with grace and balance. God loves you so much! You are beautiful in His eyes! Don’t condemn yourself or compare yourself to anyone else; no one has a perfect body! Thank God for the temple that He has given you! It is precious to Him.
These two Scripture verses have guided me throughout my journey. I hope they encourage and bless you as they have me.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” -Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” -Romans 8:1 (ESV)
I love you, and I am praying for you, but Jesus loves you so much more!
Powerful, thank you for sharing.
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God is good, and I thank him for using you to pour into his daughters. This was such a wonderful read and very inspiring!
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