December 5, 2014 Honouring God With Our Body

Am I careless with my body? Am I guilty of not caring for it as the temple of the Holy Spirit in the areas of eating, exercise, rest, sexual activity or substance abuse?  Anyone who has lived life just to satisfy the passions of the flesh knows that those cravings cannot be satisfied.  Momentary pleasure is all that can be achieved and then the cravings begin again demanding to be satisfied by what they desire.  Even a healthy activity like exercise can become a demanding passion when we allow it to become the main focus of our life.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT)

What about complaining, finding fault, or persistent arguing with others? Who do we blame? Are we prepared to cleanse the temple by asking: Do I have a critical spirit? Do I carry a grudge against another person or group because they don’t see eye-to-eye with me on some things? Do I speak unkindly about people when they are not present? Am I angry with myself, others, God? Do I spend more time talking about problems rather than seeking possible solutions? Do I complain and condemn? Do I fail to encourage and name the good that others are doing? What is defiling me, the Temple of the Living God?

God simply says to us: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT)

What about using filthy language or telling off-colour jokes? Would God approve of the words I use or the underlying root of the snigger that occurs when an inappropriate joke is told? 

God says: Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)

Today, let’s make every effort to cleanse God’s Holy Temple and live a life that is pure and holy in His sight.

©2014 Partners in Hope
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