Our lifestyle is the way we live. It is composed of a variety of elements and habits: what we eat, what we drink, our level of exercise, how well we sleep, how well we manage stress and adapt to stressful situations, our behaviour and how we interact with people, not forgetting our sense of belonging and purpose in life. Today we are going to focus on our health.
Genesis 1:27 (NIV) “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) “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; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV) “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
3 John 1:2 (ESV) “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
Thus, we are to refrain from doing harmful things to our bodies, and Christians are to glorify God in our bodies because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
This means that we should practice healthy eating habits, drink more water and exercise regularly to keep our temple in the best shape we can.
1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Ephesians 5:29 (ESV) “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church”
Making your health a priority is sometimes difficult. Decide today, set some goals, and start working on your health.
Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV) “The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
We need to dedicate our body for God’s purposes. It means “get in shape.” If you want God to use you, you’ve got to get in shape. The better shape you are in, the more energy you’ll have, and the more God can use you.
Psalm 119:73 (TLB) says, “You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws.”
God set up the principles of good health. He doesn’t just want you to have a pure heart. He wants your body to be in shape so he can use you more effectively. So, what’s our motivation to get in shape? Our motivation is we want to please God.