Free To Thrive! Day 9--- A Christ Honoring Temple

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

When visiting someone else’s home, I often tell my children, “You are a guest--- be on your best behavior.” In mom talk this means--- be extra careful, do not mess up, and make mom proud!

Paul communicated similar thoughts in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Paul told the believers in Corinth--- your body does not belong to you. As a result, you need to be on your best behavior--- be extra careful, do not mess up, and make God proud.

Nothing displeases God more than sin. All sin occurs in and through the body. Vicious sin cycles like cutting, drinking, binging/purging, overeating, smoking, addiction, sexual misbehavior, stealing, and the like occur via the body. Spiritual bondage results from each of these sin cycles as the body provides the primary tool.

Freedom comes when you recognize that your body does not belong to you. You are a guest in someone else’s home. Your body is the dwelling or resting place for God’s Holy Spirit. The proper response to this becomes purposefully engaging in activities that please and honor the Lord.

Everyone struggles with some kind of sin. Often, believers act as if they do not. But, who are we kidding? Not God. Getting real about sin actually provides freedom. Think about this. The effort to maintain sin and conceal sin keeps many believers tired and on the verge of defeat.

Freedom occurs when sin cycles are broken in Jesus’ Name. In verse 20, Paul says, “honor God with your body.” The word honor means recognize and provides a clear path to breaking sin cycles. Every day you need to wake up and use your hands, feet, arms, legs, mouth, mind and heart to recognize the Lord. As you do, your body becomes a dwelling or resting place that is pleasing to the Lord. When this occurs you can know that He is in the house and that He is very proud!

Questions---
Do you engage in a sin cycle with your body that displeases the Lord?
As a result of the sin cycle are you tired and defeated?
Do you long for freedom?