I pray that this study is equipping you to read the Bible with discernment.

Once we grasp the New Testament uses of the word flesh, particularly in Paul, we can make distinctions that are helpful and ultimately healthy for us, body and soul. On the one hand, “flesh” can, and often does, simply refer to an individual created in the image and likeness of God. So Paul can say about himself in Philippians: But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account

On the other hand, the word can be used to reference something broken within us—a moral bent toward evil is the unregenerate human condition. When Paul uses “flesh” in this way, he means that aspect of man that makes him part of this present world, which is hostile towards its Maker. Used in this sense, “flesh” becomes a theological term that conveys being at enmity with, or in opposition to, God’s rule.

I want you to gain and sustain a new appreciation for the wonderfully complex gift of being alive. To that end, I leave you with three reasons to take care of yourself, especially related to what you eat and drink. Notice I did not say pamper your body. That is a very present danger in our affluent society. But that is a subject for another time.

1) The first reason to take care of yourself is that you can significantly lengthen your life while enhancing the quality of life.

How many of you have ever been on a fast from food? When you first taste food after fasting, it’s unlike anything else. My dad had a pecan grove, and I remember once, when I was fasting, he sent us some fresh pecans. When I came off that fast, the first thing I tasted was one of his pecans. It seemed like the most sumptuous, delicious-tasting food I had ever eaten in my life.

I have learned that when we adopt a posture of simplicity towards food, it tastes better than ever. We won’t have to douse it with refined salt and sugar to get some flavor. So, for your own sake, eat right to live longer, and let God help you enjoy the good things in his created order.

You must maintain your body by eating right, exercising, and destressing. Most people provide more conscious maintenance for their cars than for their bodies. How many of you would be willing to get on an airplane if you knew that it was maintained with the same level of care you maintain your bodies?

2) Don’t eat, drink, exercise, and destress for your own sake. Take better care of yourself for the sake of others.

You are not an island. You are part of the body of Christ. When you suffer, we all hurt. Your talents and gifts are needed.

I was speaking at a conference with a nationally known minister. He was scheduled to speak twice, but could only speak once because he was battling some serious health problems. We all missed out. He had so much to give, but he couldn’t because of his physical condition. And he was not an old man.

For the sake of others, please take care of your body.

3) Enter more intentionally into wholeness by setting yourself apart unto God. Take care of yourself for the sake of Jesus and his kingdom.

Please, my friends, recognize that your bodies are to be consecrated as temples. Treat your body as a temple, not as an amusement park.

I want to avoid legalism here. This should not make you feel guilty because shame will do more harm than good. No, I want you to be convicted because then you will ask the Spirit for help. I want you to feel encouraged that God is showing you a new vision of your importance to him.

He wants you to rejoice over the fact that He desires to dwell in you. What an honor! Yet with that privilege comes responsibility.

Your body is not your own; it is not yours to do with as you please. The God who created you, body and soul, also came down and redeemed you. He bought you at an extraordinarily high price. If you are going to live productively in his kingdom, you must learn to yield the sanctity, holiness, and service of your body for the sake of Jesus.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor 6:19-20).

Let’s end where we started; your worldview matters.

Materialism ignores the spiritual, while dualism artificially separates and elevates the spiritual over the material. Both fall short of the glorious biblical revelation of being made in the image and likeness of God with a body and a soul fused together.

Without that understanding, we fail to honor our Father in Heaven with our bodies. We fall prey to the corrupting ways of the world. We live only for ourselves.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2).

This overly familiar text now takes on practical meaning, does it not? Instead of spiritualizing it into an abstraction, it becomes something you can act on. It adds a significant dimension and many teaching moments when pausing to pray before a meal.

Wholeness is an issue of holiness—being set apart for God’s sacred service. Wholeness is an issue of stewardship: Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God (2 Cor 7:1). I love how living and active these scriptures are when set in the fullness of the worldview they present. Hallelujah!

All of this is doable by the power of the Spirit with your intentional participation. Developing a lifestyle of eating and drinking right, finding ways to be more active, and reducing stress is a blessing to you, to others, and to your great God and Savior.

Will you join me, friends? Let us, whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, do all to the glory of God!

Amen.