Listen

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Think

In a museum, there are often areas that are roped off or enclosed with glass because the items inside are so valuable or breakable that they do not want anyone to touch them. Sometimes glass cases keep dust and fingerprints off the artifacts or paintings so that they won’t be damaged and can be preserved for years. Arrowheads, mummies, pottery and other works of art are displayed so we can learn more about the past.

In the time when today’s scripture was written, temples were places that were thought of as so holy that they were perfectly maintained. Many people thought that God literally lived in the temple, so they took time to preserve this beautiful, physical space. Similarly, this passage talks about how we can take care of our bodies like temples. Since the Holy Spirit wants to be with us, we should make the best choices we can with our bodies. When we think of our bodies as being holy from God, this can inspire us to make better decisions.

Stephanie Ezell

Pray

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus as your son, and for the Holy Spirit among us. Help me to honor you, as a result, in my body as well as spirit. Amen.

Go

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21