“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6: 19

HOW MUCH?

Let us jog our memories for a moment and appraise the cost! It cost—much! But, we have all done the wrong things in our lives and the body is not in balance—nor in harmony. Man suffers—and dies!

“The body is a most important medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the up-building of character.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 488. Transgression of the physical law is transgression of the moral law; for God is as truly the author of the physical law as He is the author of the moral. His law is written with His own finger upon every nerve, every muscle, and every faculty which has been entrusted to man. And every misuse of any part of ours is a violation of that law.

This is an incredibly powerful statement! The mind and soul are inseparably bound.  They cannot be effectually separated! The mind, in fact, is the measure of man. The mind is the soul—indivisible, multi-dimensional, physical, social, mental, and spiritual! Yet mental abuses to the mind continue as scientists work unabated in their quest for cures to the ensuing rise in subsequent pitifully sad mental diseases.

As both the mind and body encompass immensely vast topics, the emphasis in this study will be placed on the physical law only (although still part of the spiritual law), and which, of course, can influence the mind and its functioning.

WHO?

All should, therefore, have an intelligent knowledge of the human frame, that they may keep their bodies in the best condition necessary to do the work of the Lord—to serve Him better:

1) So, therefore, what is your body called and to whom do you belong? There are many, unfortunately, who believe that they have the right to do anything they want with their bodies—they call this “freedom” or more popularly in vogue—in and outside of religious circles, “freedom of choice.” (irksomely referred  often to diet, dress code, conduct, and the Law). But, not realizing that they are enslaved to their own depraved desires (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).        

Ah! Observe here also, that gluttony, as well as impurity, is a sin against God.  Because the body is the Lord’s; foods for the body, and the body for food; but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body (1 Corinthians 6:13). “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Philippians 3:19

Becoming a child of God means that the Holy Spirit dwells in you—this is the sign that God has taken back His property, therefore we no longer own our bodies—the rules of the game are changed—we must not violate His standards for living. We are God’s Property!   God owns you and me! Remember— “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

Some today, (eh, many) are very sick; yes, God’s people. In the early days, man could not diagnose diseases as such: i.e., Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, cardio-vascular disease, cancer, anemia, dementia, etc.

As Paul’s thorn in the flesh many lived by the “grace of God;” “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

2)  What will God do to you, therefore, if you defile or destroy the temple of God? which is your body?

(1 Corinthians 3:16). This is scary! “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:17 (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Of interest, “So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.” 2 Kings 5:9. Naaman, the Syrian, and captain of the host of the King of Syria was eventually purified and healed of leprosy.

3) How, therefore, do we become this holy Temple of God? and become enshrined—and find our refuge in? No! Not some ancient pillared mystical temple of inanimate idols—but the living temple of God! “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16

4) Ah! In view of this stark fact (perhaps unpalatable for some), yet inescapable, what are we to do?

“What? Know ye not that he who is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith he, shall be one flesh. “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:17–20

Furthermore, “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the member of an harlot? God forbid.” 1 Corinthians 6:15. Observe, that both the authority of the Seventh Commandment and the apostle’s appeal to the Christian’s sacredness as a member of the body of Christ forbid unequivocally immorality of every kind!

Corinth, “the city of prostitution,” was a place where sex—sin—was acceptable within the culture. It was important that Paul instruct the Corinthian church in this area of moral purity, because the temple of Aphrodite in Corinth employed more than one thousand prostitutes—sex worship was part of the worship ritual; giving their bodies to the temple god.  Fornication and incest was a part of the Jewish and Roman culture. It was difficult for the Christians living there in such perverse circumstances.

5) So, in this realm of wickedness and evil, and in a world enmeshed in greed, fear, ambition, and pleasure, what else is one to do? “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17–18. Separation means: from whatever is contrary to the mind of God, and unto God Himself. It is impossible for God to fully bless and use His children who are in compromise with evil. Separation from evil, furthermore, implies: separation from desire, motive, and act, from the world—dominated by satanic principles. Furthermore, separation from: false teachers.

GOD’S DESIRE FOR US

6) It is good to be concerned about our physical and spiritual well-being. Today, many people are trapped into thinking of what you eat and drink cannot affect your spirituality. But, firstly, the apostle John said: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2. Mark tells us: “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.” Mark 7:15

Many misinterpret these passages; particularly Mark’s. A spiritual simpleton thinks he can eat anything. The moral principle is: defiled food defiles the body! The Pharisees washed their hands, being careful not to let the water run down their arms; defiled through the intervals and not ceremonially purified defiles the food, and defiles the body, but Jesus declares that a man is not defiled spiritually by what he eats. Though externals do not make a person unclean, internals can also. The truth of Scripture is that uncleanness comes from within.  Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. You can see from this that defilement works away from the inside. The expression of diverse language at times is an expression of false intellect.

The oral cavity, for example, being the first segment of the gastro-intestinal tract, malfunctions when the food is not masticated thoroughly. Many, consequently, take a digestive enzyme or aid, or see their doctor for any minor digestive disturbances, and thusly—more medications. We need to know something of the physiology of our bodies. For example, the parathyroid gland helps control the calcium levels of the blood. The pancreas controls the insulin levels in the blood, etc., etc.  Although we still need medical services for certain conditions, we need to monitor our bodies more closely and follow sound healthful practices using natural remedies, if possible.  Don’t shut the door on God! Go to Him in prayer—the Great Physician and Healer.

7) How important is good health to any individual?

“Since the mind and the soul find expression through the body, both mental and spiritual vigour are in great degree dependent upon physical strength and activity; whatever promotes physical health, promotes the development of a strong mind and a well-balanced character. Without health, no one can as distinctly understand or as completely fulfill his obligations to himself, to his fellow beings, or to his Creator. Therefore the health should be as faithfully guarded as the character. A knowledge of physiology and hygiene should be the basis of all educational effort.” –Education, p. 195

“As the foundation principle of all education in these lines, the youth should be taught that the laws of nature are the laws of God—as truly divine as are the precepts of the Decalogue. The laws that govern our physical organism, God has written upon every nerve, muscle, and fiber of the body. Every careless or wilful violation of these laws is a sin against our Creator.” –Education, p. 196

Perhaps one of the most effective remedies for allaying many diseased conditions or states is found in Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” It is one of the most effective methods of reducing stress and prolonging life. Try laughing often—and make others (at least two) laugh, when appropriate, daily.

8.) What is the result of introducing drugs into the system?

At the onset—doctors do and can save lives! Many love to visit doctors!  Appeal, also, to God—the Great Physician, in prayer. Drugs can affect adversely the equilibrium of the body, with side effects and interactions with other elements. Natural remedies can be very effective, however, but may take time. Go back to God’s remedies. If we are connected with the source of life, man is not supposed to suffer diseases as most heathens. Eat what He says; herbs, etc., and other essentials of good health (Genesis 1:29; 3:18). Trust in Him. Guard the mind—be transformed! Don’t look!! Avoid seeing or hearing immoral things! Avoid any mind destroying factors and devices. He cares!!

A recent US headline announces, “Pediatricians Set Limits for TV, Internet, and Cellphone Use.” Parents should ban electronic media during mealtimes and after bedtime as part of a comprehensive “family media use plan,” according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatricians.” “Excessive media use is associated with obesity, poor school performance, aggression and lack of sleep,” said Marjorie Hogan, co-author of the new policy and a pediatrician. “Children ages 8 to 18 spent an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day consuming media for fun, including TV, music, videogames, and other content, according to a report from the Kaiser Family foundation. A new report from Common Sense Media, a child-advocacy group based in San Francisco found that 17% of children 8 and younger use mobile devices daily. The policy also reiterated the AAP’S existing recommendations: children younger than 2 shouldn’t have any TV or Internet exposure. Also, televisions and Internet-accessible devices should be kept out of kid’s bedrooms.” Wall Street Journal, Tuesday, October, 29, 2013, Health and Wellness Personal Journal, p. D1. Finally, a few years ago, a devoted elderly nurse personally mentioned to me that she noticed an alarming increase in leukemia of children five years and younger! “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11. (See also:  Psalm 37:7; Proverbs 1:31; 19:21)

“When drugs are introduced into the system, for a time they may seem to have a beneficial effect. A change may take place, but the disease is not cured. It will manifest itself in some other form. In nature’s effort to expel the drug from the system, intense suffering is sometime caused the patient. And the disease, which the drug was given to cure, may disappear, but only to reappear in a new form, such as skin diseases, ulcers, painful diseased joints, and sometimes in a more dangerous and deadly form.

“To practice the use of drugs, medication does not harmonize with faith. Appealing to worldly physicians is dishonouring to God. Those who come to God in faith must cooperate with Him in accepting and using His heaven-sent remedies. . . . It is of no use to have seasons of prayer for the sick, while they refuse to use the simple remedies which God has provided, and which are close to them. . . . The drugs administered to the sick do not restore, but destroy. Drugs never cure. Instead they place in the system seeds which bear a very bitter harvest.” –The Use of Drugs, p. 51–53

9) How can keeping of God’s commandments affect life? We see in Proverbs 3:1–2, some wise scriptural passages of practical value: “My son, forget not My law, but let thine heart keep My commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” Here is one secret of the popularly unceasing quest in mankind for a “long-life!”—a rule of conduct for prolonging ones’ life. Medical science has affirmed that a meditative life and a church going practice extends life.

10) Our conversation and selection of words in an angelic and assuring voice can be an inner modulating force to one’s health and to those near to us and others in dire straits. “Pleasant words are as an honey comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24

11) With whom is the “fountain of life?” “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy loving kindness unto them that know Thee; and Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.” Psalm 36:8–10

12) Why did Jesus come to this world? “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. Here is evidence again of a wondrously anti-aging phenomenon! Believe!

13) Some essentials for vibrant good health.

  • Proper diet (vegetarian).
  • Sunshine and clean air.
  • Pleasant surroundings and physical exercise.
  • Proper periods of rest and sleep.
  • Proper mental attitude and spiritual relationships.
  • Social interaction.
  • Family caring and giving.
  • Sense of humor.
  • Abundant clean drinking water.
  • Reduce stress.

14) To whom do we NOT BELONG? “I have no greater joy than to hear that My children walk in truth.” 3 John 4. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19. Because it is the Lord’s! You are still God’s property!

15) Since we belong to God, what should we do in our body and in our spirit? “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20. (see also 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 Peter 1:17–21 )

16) The Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; filth has no right to be there! The Holy Spirit sent from God, abides within the Christian and purifies the temple. The temple was purchased by God through the blood of Jesus and is now possessed by the Holy Spirit.

The temple does not draw dignity or purity from itself, but from God who inhabits it. Because Jesus paid our bail bond—ransomed us, we are not our own. In Paul’s day a slave could save the price of his freedom, pay it in the temple treasury, and be purchased by the god. He then served that god for the rest of his life. It should be the Christian’s constant goal to glorify God because he has been bought with a great price. That principle of life applies directly to the body, and it requires immediate obedience.

What a God we have!   GOD’S PROPERTY!

Amen <>< <>< <><                                                                                                                

John Theodorou                

U.S.A.