Honoring God With Your Body

Scripture Focus: "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."
— 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

Key Takeaways from the Sermon "What is God's Design for Sex?"

1. Biblical Foundation: Both Paul and Jesus emphasize that sex is a gift from God intended for marriage between a man and a woman, as supported by Scripture.
2. Purpose and Sanctity: The purposes of sex—procreation, unity, and pleasure—highlight its sanctity within marriage and the joy it can bring to a marital relationship.
3. Cultural Contrast: The sermon contrasts biblical views with contemporary cultural perspectives, urging believers to uphold God's design and to serve one another selflessly, following Christ's example.
4. Practical Guidance: Despite being celibate, Paul provides practical advice for maintaining sexual purity and fostering healthy relationships, emphasizing that believers are set apart for God.

Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
As we reflect on Sunday’s sermon, let's dive deeper into the message by considering an essential question from the previous chapter, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Understanding God’s design and purpose for sex involves offering our bodies, not just our hearts and minds, as living sacrifices. Paul addresses the church in Corinth, calling believers to a higher understanding and stewardship of our physical bodies as sacred spaces for the Holy Spirit.

Theological Insights

1. Temple of the Holy Spirit:
Our bodies are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, signifying an intimate spiritual relationship with God and a call to treat our bodies with respect and care.

2. Bought with a Price:
Jesus Christ's sacrificial death signifies our value and the depth of God's love. It implies we belong to God and should honor Him with our bodies.

3. Holistic Stewardship:
Stewarding our bodies well includes making healthy lifestyle choices, maintaining sexual integrity, and fostering emotional and mental health.

Practical Applications

1. Healthy Lifestyle Choices:
Engage in proper nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient rest. If you’re married consider engaging a conversation with your spouse regarding sex and your desires.

2. Sexual Integrity:
Uphold God’s standards for sexual desires by seeking divine help to maintain healthy communication and boundaries in marriage. If you are single, seek a clear purpose from God through prayer and relationships with godly friends, rather than waiting for the right person. Paul emphasizes that we are called to serve Christ with our time and purpose, regardless of our marital status, noting that singleness can provide a simpler opportunity to serve God fully (1 Corinthians 7).

3. Emotional and Mental Health:
Seek counseling when needed, practice mindfulness, and engage in activities that promote mental clarity and reduce stress. Let go of ungodly views of sex and ask God to cleanse your heart and mind from previous unhealthy connections.

4. Spiritual Practices:
Nurture your spiritual health through a consistent lifestyle of prayer, worship, and studying Scripture.

Community and Accountability

-Support Systems: Engage with a community that encourages healthy living and spiritual growth.

-Role Models: Learn from those who exemplify honoring God with their bodies. Men ask Godly men some of the tough questions you wrestle with. Women do the same. It’s amazing how much wisdom we have at Christ Culture.

Reflection Questions

1. Personal Inventory:
In what areas of my life am I honoring God with my body? Where might I need to make changes?

2. Practical Steps:
What specific actions can I take this week to better honor God with my physical, emotional, and spiritual health?

3. Community Engagement:
How can I encourage and support others in my community to honor God with their bodies? This does not mean preaching at your peers but rather setting an example of honoring boundaries and even encouraging others to make right decisions that honor God not just at church but in everyday life.

Pray this Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of our bodies and the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to remember that we are Your temple and live in a way that honors You. Guide us in making choices that reflect Your love and care for us. Strengthen us to steward our bodies well and let our lives be a testament to Your grace and goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let's commit to honoring God with our bodies, recognizing them as the sacred temples they are. May this deeper understanding inspire us to live in a way that glorifies God in every aspect of our being.
~Ps. Klen


Dive Deeper Scripture References
Romans 12:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 1:20, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5, 1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 13:4, Proverbs 5:18-19, Genesis 2:24, Matthew 5:28, 1 Timothy 4:8, Psalm 139:13-14, Job 31:1, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Titus 2:11-12, Leviticus 18:22, Deuteronomy 5:18, Romans 6:13, Romans 8:13, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Galatians 5:16.