Believe it or not, the Bible has a lot to say about your body and what to do with it. You may not be able to open to the book of Proverbs and find a wholesome and healthy recipe for dinner tonight, but you will certainly find biblical principles that empower your thinking about the stewardship of your health and body.
So, what does God say about your health? How can you steward your body for His service?
Here are five simple verses about health and stewardship of the body:
“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come”
(I Timothy 4:8).
This is an interesting verse to have as number one on the list, don’t you agree? I bring this verse to your attention first because it gives us keen insight into God’s heart regarding our health. First, notice that the verse does not say, “bodily exercise does not profit at all.” It says it does profit a little. There is value in physical exercise, and I believe it is a vital (quite literally) part of stewarding our bodies for God’s use. But notice the Holy Spirit’s emphasis, “but godliness is profitable unto all things…” I believe this is God’s heart considering our health: stewarding your body through physical exercise is good but stewarding your mind and heart through godliness (rightful living) is greater.
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are”
(I Corinthians 3:16-17).
The moment you trust Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit lives inside you. You are the temple of God to be used for worship, intercession, and service. Just as we respect and take care of the church sanctuary, we are to take care of our bodies. Remember that they are not ours, but Christ’s (I Corinthians 6:19-20).
“And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat” (Proverbs 23:2-3).
One of the most taboo subjects among believers is the subject of overeating. The Bible clearly states that gluttony is a sin (Proverbs 23:21). Don’t get me wrong, I love to eat! But as hard as it is to say, we should not stop being a steward of our body over the holidays. We are responsible for what we put into our bodies. As one pastor said, “Food is a great gift, but makes a terrible god.”
“But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:27).
Stewarding your body for Christ is all about who you submit to; the appetites of your flesh or the desires of the Holy Spirit. Establishing firm principles of exercise and healthy diet enables you to say with boldness, “No! Not today flesh!” and “Yes, Lord. Whatever you want!” And why should I think this way? Paul said in the verses before. “And this I do for the Gospel’s sake..” (I Corinthians 9:23).
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1Co 10:31)
It’s interesting that this verse is found in the context of idol worship. I think the Holy Spirit is teaching us something. Eating and drinking is essential for life. But when we they are done outside of the parameters of God’s will and Word, they instantly become idols.
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