To a non-person of faith, the title is confused. What do you mean I’m also a body? Isn’t that the most obvious fact of my existence? To a person of faith, however, we are more than just bodies, we are spirits, and the spiritual part of us is actually more important than the physical. The spiritual part of us is what enables us to connect with a God who exists outside of time and space, and lives on even after the body we currently inhabit has died.
When Christians Neglect The Body
The culture tends to neglect our spiritual reality, and that is deeply problematic. But there is the opposite tendency among some people of faith to neglect our bodily reality. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says that our bodies are the temple of God, which means that we should use them to do good and not evil. But it also means we should nurture them and take care of them through the way we live and the things we consume.
Speaking from personal experience, exercise, for example, helps me de-stress. My body is designed in such a way that when I exercise, I experience less negative emotion, like anger, and more positive emotion, like contentment. Exercise makes it easier for me to live out my values, like loving others and avoiding temptations. On the other hand, when I eat trash food, sit on the couch all day, and don’t get enough sleep, I am much more likely to miss the mark.
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
PRoverbs 16:32
Today, let’s ask ourselves the following questions: what are the activities that bring me closer to God? what are the activities that bring me closer to the things I value?
You may think of common spiritual disciplines, like prayer, worship, and going to church. But, if you are like me, that is only the beginning of the list.
The time we spend studying, working, eating, sleeping, exercising, doing hobbies, and interacting with people is supremely important. In fact, it is what will make up the great majority of our lives when it’s all said and done.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
To the spiritual person, everything is spiritual. Let’s remember this next time we’re at the dinner table or on the exercise bike.
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