Stewardship of the Temple
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, AND THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE. 1 Cor. 3:16
God Almighty is the creator of our bodies. It is an incredible “masterpiece” of God. Everyone should take a class in physiology and anatomy just to appreciate the work of an incredible Creator God. If not a class, at least educate yourself on the body. When I became pregnant I was overwhelmed and awed by the female body. The whole experience from conception to delivery, to nursing a baby was a great miracle that a woman shares with God. In light of this revelation I stand amazed at how God’s children take so little thought in caring for the temple of the Holy Spirit.
We need to discipline ourselves to care for our temple. Being a disciple of Christ requires discipline. Disciple is the root word of discipline. I hear much emphasis put on being a good steward of money, prayer, fasting, and Bible study, but very little on caring for the body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
I encourage you to take the previous verses and meditate on them. Allow the Holy Spirit living inside of you to teach you. We live out our lives on a “daily basis”. Begin today and think about what you are putting into the temple. Learn about nutrition and what your body needs to be healthy. We want a strong, well built temple that can withstand the storms of life.
Exercise is vital! Our bodies weren’t created to be sedentary. Muscles not used deteriorate, however if they are used, they become stronger. The old cliche’ “If you don’t use it, you lose it” is very true in dealing with the body. Stretching becomes absolutely essential for continued full range of motion of joints. The body, like a building, needs more maintenance as it begins to age.
Do an inspection of your temple. What needs “renovating?” What areas have you let go and not kept in top condition? What parts of your body needs strengthening that has become weak and run down: For starters, do we need some cleaning up on the inside? The Lord always seems to start on the inside, and works His way through to the outside. Mark 7:15 says “There is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. Is there a root of bitterness and unforgiveness that hasn’t been cleansed?
Pray and seek counsel from God’s Word. It has all the blueprints for your temple specifically. The Holy Spirit living inside your temple will lead you into all truth. John 16:13 says “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will “guide you into ALL truth.” Another beautiful promise is the Holy Spirit will be our teacher and teach us all things. (John 14:26) Consult the “architect” of your temple in prayer about the repairs and damage. He is the expert who has all the answers. He designed you. There are no duplicates of your design. You are the only design He has like you! Ps 139:14-16: I will give thanks to You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me when as yet there was not one of them.
Each Masterpiece is important to Him. Masterpiece Fitness would be honored to help you set goals and accomplish them in 2014. TODAY make being a good steward of your temple a priority in your prayer life. Contact Teresa today! Have a blessed, prosperous year in 2014!