The Temple of God

"At the risk of sounding legalistic and judgmental,
 if you are a Christian, you don't need to be
smoking, period." 

As I talk to more and more believers, I'm finding that several Christians are having what I would describe as "health issues" or health concerns. It's not so much that they are "unhealthy" per se; but that there are issues concerning their health that require immediate attention. Not necessarily "medical" attention, but personal attention. The reason I believe this is the case is because there's a fundamental truth to Christianity that oftentimes the church "conveniently" overlooks; we are The Body of Christ. 

The church is the Body of Christ. Body, not signifying organization, but body as in physical organism. Yes, the church is a spiritual entity of course, but we represent the physical manifestation of Jesus in the earth. And the only way we can do that is if we have a "physical" body, an anatomical structure.

The reason this is important is because for too long, many Christians have chosen to "neglect" their physical health, sometimes in the name of spiritual pursuits. This is not the will of God. The Father wants us to be whole (holy) in body, soul and spirit (1Thessalonians 5). Therefore saints, it's imperative that we understand that as believers in Christ, our bodies represent The Temple of God.

The fact that our bodies represent the Temple of God means that God actually "dwells" within us (1Corinthians 6). Not just the Holy Spirit, but also the Father and the Son (2Corinthians 6, John 14). But if you know the character of God, He's not going to dwell, or abide in an unclean Temple. We don't have time to elaborate, but there is a difference between the residence of the Holy Spirit within the believer because of the redemptive Blood of Jesus Christ and the dwelling of the Father (Romans 8). That being said, we have to do a better job of taking care of the Temple.

One of the ways we need to do this is by watching our diet. Saints, the days of just eating whatever we want to eat are over! There are too many Christians dying prematurely because they have refused to modify their eating habits. What I ate in my twenties, I can't eat in my forties. And guess what, neither can you! I believe this is one of the main areas that Jesus was referring to when He talked about "denying yourself" (Matthew 16). The word Disciple comes from the word discipline. If you're going to be a Disciple of Christ, there must be a degree of discipline in the area of what you consume in regards to what you eat. As The Temple of God, it's not God's will for us to be overweight and sickly; particularly if there's something we can do to address it. Let's become more diligent in watching what we eat in regards to the Temple of God.

Next we need to look at certain vices that we place upon our bodies. At the risk of sounding legalistic and judgmental, if you are a Christian, you don't need to be smoking, period. That includes cigarettes, cigars and of course, anything else that has been deemed "illegal" or addictive. Yes, you can be a Christian and still smoke and what not; but the question is, "What are you doing to the Temple of God?" Do you really think it's God's will for you to "puff up" His House? Really? I don't think so. We'd be more apt to cease this behavior if we took into stronger account our status as the Temple of God.

And lastly Saints, we have to put an end to sexual immorality. Let me state for the record, any sexual activity outside the boundaries of marriage is against the Divine Will of God. That includes pre-marital sex, oral sex and masturbation. This type of uncleanness is not pleasing to God (1Thessalonians 4, 2Corinthians 6). The church has skirted over this issue for years and our witness in this area has become deplorable. We must re-establish the standard. We will not attract the Presence of God indulging in sexual immorality. Is it easy to abstain? No it is not, particularly if you've already become sexually active. But God's Grace is sufficient. Not just for forgiveness, but for empowerment in righteousness to execute the Divine Will of God for our lives. 

Saints, as we move forward, let us be cognizant in our attitudes and behavior that we are in fact The Temple of God.