Honoring the Temple

Six Biblical Principles for Making Healthy, Wise Choices

In our modern world, we have so much information regarding our health and well-being that we often don’t know what to do with it all. Yet despite this wealth of data, people continue repeatedly to make ill-advised choices. We have great knowledge, but not great wisdom.

Fortunately, there is a strategy for making sound, well-informed judgments day after day—and it comes straight from the Bible. Here are six important principles God wants you to know to help you make healthy, wise choices:

1. Give Glory to God by Treating Your Body Right.

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).

2. Practice Discipline in All Aspects of Your Life.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (1 Corinthians 9:25).

3. Master Your Desires to Serve Your Spiritual Purpose.

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:26–27).

4. Put Your Trust in God, and He Will Give You Strength.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29–31).

5. Never Overlook the Lord as Your True Source of Success.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

6. Keep Focused on Your Goals—Both Physical and Eternal.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

No matter what stage of life you’re in, remember, you honor God when you treat your body as His temple. Having good health is in vain if you don’t put God’s will front and center. So seek Him first in all you do. Allow Him to work in you, so He can work through you.

As a believer, you were given a precious gift of life—one that is more valuable and costly than any treasure here on earth. Rejoice today that you are His child and are well designed for His purposes. Trust Him with everything, and He will help you live a life of victory and overcoming in Him!

Scriptures to Meditate on This Month

Week One

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5–8

Week Two

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22–23

Week Three

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.
Ephesians 5:29

Week Four

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31