Which Temple?
by melissa bradshaw
As I have traveled to different countries, I have seen many different temples and places of worship. Some are very elaborate and beautiful, while others are simple and plain. But while they each have their own unique features, all of them have similar codes of conduct.
Before entering a temple in Korea, I was required, as a sign of respect, to remove both my shoes and hat. In Turkey and India I not only had to remove my shoes but also needed to cover my head with a scarf.
Other rules of conduct for the places of worship I have visited include wearing modest clothing, not chewing gum or smoking, and, in some, you are not allowed to take any pictures. It is also important to be very quiet while walking around. Although these were not Christian churches, it reminded me of the Pathfinder pledge to “walk softly in the sanctuary.”
There is another temple—a very important one—for which God has given special guidelines. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20: “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
God describes the human body as being a temple. Why does He call it that? Because, as Paul wrote, we have been “built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). This temple is the most complex and magnificent ever created. David said in Psalm 139:14 that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” It is a special privilege to honor Jesus for loving us and giving Himself for our sins.
Let’s look at some of the ways we can show honor to God by taking care of our bodies.
1. Make Healthy Choices. We respect God when we choose to follow His health plan. Eating healthy foods, saying no to harmful things, practicing good personal hygiene, getting enough sleep, exercising, and trusting in Him keeps us strong and honors Him. God wants us to keep our bodies as healthy and well as possible.
2. Protect Your Mind. Caring for your mind is an important part of honoring God and respecting your body temple. So feed your mind with good things. Reading positive, uplifting books and avoiding negative or harmful media helps us grow in a way that pleases Him.
Choosing to think positive thoughts and choosing to be kind to others also helps you to have a healthy mind. And we want to remember Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Being positive is positively good for you!
3. Be Thankful. After Jesus healed 10 men with leprosy, a feared disease in Bible times, only one of the men returned to thank Him for what He had done. When you thank God for the blessings He showers upon you, you are growing a positive attitude.
4. Get Proper Rest. Science tells us that getting enough sleep is extremely important. Not getting enough sleep has a bad effect on your health. And God created a weekly rest—the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath holy is an extra-special way honor Him, and helps you to look after your body temple.
While temples are usually beautiful on the outside, God wants you to be beautiful from the inside out. When we remember that we are not our own, and that Jesus died for us, we will be encouraged to make healthy choices. Caring for your body temple will honor God and strengthen your relationship with Him.
This article is provided by My Place with Jesus, a ministry of It is Written, a Christian media ministry based in Chattanooga, Tennessee that has been proclaiming the message of God’s love since 1956. Check out more fun and games on the My Place with Jesus website!