Not Your Body

Not Your Body

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

When you make choices about your life and behavior, what things do you consider?

Most people think about things like…

  • How much of my money will it cost?
  • How will it benefit me?
  • How will it affect my body?
  • Will it feel good?
  • How much of my time will it take?
  • How will it affect my loved ones and those around me?

There was a woman who needed to travel abroad for a couple months for work. Her brother happened to be between apartments at the time, so she said to her brother,

“Why you stay in my house for a couple of months while I’m gone. I’ll have someone watching my house and you’ll have a place to stay while you look for a new apartment.”

So, her brother moved in and she went on her trip. A couple of months later she returned to find her house completely rearranged and one of the rooms even painted a different color.

“What did you do to my house?” she exclaimed.

“What? I thought it looked better this way.” her brother responded.

“But it’s my house!” she yelled.

He said, “Sorry, I thought the other color was too bright. So, I picked a better color.”

She responded, “But it wasn’t your house to make that choice.”

Our passage for today reminds us that we are not our own. Our body is not ours to do with as we please. That has far-reaching consequences. It means that we realize that our body is actually God’s body. Not only did He create it, but His Spirit literally dwells in us. So, the first question we should ask is,

  • What does God say I should do?

If I’m going to do something that affects this body that is not mine, I should first check with the owner. I should take care of my body (I struggle with that one). I shouldn’t defile my body. I shouldn’t use my body to harm others or lead other to sin.

It also means my body is special and holy, the dwelling place of the Lord. That’s pretty awesome.

Heavenly Father,

You have created me and given me life. You have also given me new life in Christ and given me Your Spirit. Thank You for my body and my life. Help me to treat my body in ways that honor You.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt