Going in Grace

Welcome to Going in Grace, a podcast where we go beyond simply understanding God's word. We explore how to live it out daily, making a meaningful impact in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let's tune in to this week's episode.

I'm so glad you're joining us today as we talk about a very special topic, God's value for the human body and how we as believers can also value our bodies. Typically at the beginning of a year, we all set goals to eat right, exercise, and take better care of ourselves. By now, a few months into the year, we are tempted to fall off. I think one of the reasons why this happens is because fitting into a certain outfit is not enough to help us maintain habits on a daily basis that aren't easy. It's hard to deny ourselves, and doing right by our bodies involves denial here, there, and everywhere.

Let's use today's time together as a reminder that we have a higher purpose for taking care of our bodies. Let's allow our love for God to inspire us instead of our love to be seen a certain way. Our bodies are truly amazing gifts from God. The Bible teaches us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, which means that we have a special responsibility to care for and honor them. This is not only for our own wellbeing, but as an act of love and worship to our creator.

Let's start by looking at a beautiful passage in 1 Corinthians 6:19 through 20. I'm in the New King James Version. "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." This is so key. Holy Spirit is in us, so we are not our own. This verse provides a great reminder that our bodies belong to God. He has entrusted us with them and it's our duty to care for them. But how can we do this in a way that honors God without falling into the trap of idolizing ourselves?

First, let's consider physical health. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest are all ways we can honor God with our bodies. It's important to remember that these actions are not about achieving a certain appearance or fitting into societal standards. Instead, they are about stewarding the gift that God has given us. In Romans 12:1, I'm still in the New King James, we read, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice means living in a way that is holy and acceptable to God. It's about making choices that reflect our commitment to Him, whether that's in what we eat, how we exercise, how we rest, where we choose to go, and how we choose to live.

Let's look at some biblical examples. Daniel, for instance, valued his body by choosing to eat only vegetables and drink water instead of consuming the royal food and wine. The royal food and wine had been sacrificed to idols and contained things that were outside of Daniel's food guidelines that he observed to honor God. His discipline and commitment to God's standards resulted in him being healthier and more vibrant than those who chose to consume the king's delicacies. This lets us know that even something like our diet can honor God when we submit it to him. Take a look at Daniel 1:8 through 16 to read the full story. Together, let's focus on verse eight in the Amplified Version. "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile, taint, dishonor himself with the king's finest food or with the wine which the king drank. So he asked the commander of the officials that he might be excused so that he would not defile himself." Daniel honored God in and through his body.

On the other hand, we have Samson, whose physical strength was unmatched. Yet he didn't always honor God with his body. He touched something dead, which God commanded him not to do. And he had intercourse with a prostitute. His impulsive decisions and disregard for God's commandments led to his downfall. You can read all the details about this in Judges 16. These contrasting examples teach us the importance of honoring God through our choices and actions.

Another important aspect of our wellness is mental and emotional health. Our minds are closely connected to our bodies. Caring for our mental health is just as important as caring for our physical health. This includes seeking wise counsel when needed, practicing gratitude, and setting healthy boundaries. Philippians 4:8, a verse you should be familiar with by now if you've been tuning in, gives us guidance on this. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things." By focusing on positive and virtuous thoughts, we can maintain a healthy mind and spirit, which in turn helps us to honor God.

Now, let's address this issue of not idolizing ourselves. It's easy to fall into the trap of vanity and self-obsession, especially in a culture that places so much emphasis on appearance. We must remember that our value comes from God, not from how we look or how others perceive us. In 1 Peter 3:3 through 4, New King James, it says, "do not let your adornment be merely outward, arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel. Rather, let it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." Our true beauty comes from within, from a heart that seeks after God. While it's important to take care of our outward appearance, because the children of a king represent a kingdom and its people, it's even more important to cultivate a spirit that is gentle, humble, and focused on God.

All the God honoring things we do with our bodies, such as healthy eating, exercise, and staying out of negative environments won't help us if we set ourselves against God's laws. For example, Exodus 20:12 says, honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. If we want to live long, we should first respect our parents because that is what God said is instrumental to having a long life. With God, it's not enough to honor Him only by what we do on the outside. God cares about what's going on in our hearts, the part only he can see. We must honor God with our bodies and all that we are, aligning our thoughts and decisions with his instructions. Let's remember that honoring our bodies is a form of worship to God.

By taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional health, and by avoiding the trap of vanity, we can live in a way that brings glory to Him. May we all strive to honor God by honoring our bodies, and may we find joy and fulfillment in living as His dearly loved children. Have a great week and see you next time.

You've been listening to Going In Grace. Be sure to visit us online at brandistover.com.