Why You Should Care For Your Body

Paul’s reminder “that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19), while specifically directed at the problem of sexual immorality, has a broader application: human beings are to respect and care for their body. Such attention requires physical discipline. Indeed, the apostle urges: “train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). Physical discipline does have value for embodied human beings during their earthly existence.

Physical Discipline

Such physical discipline does not entail asceticism—prohibiting marriage and forbidding the consumption of certain foods (1 Tim. 4:3-5; Col 2:16-23)—for while these legalistic rules may look good, “they are of no value in stopping the indulgences of the flesh” (Col. 2:23). But it does require intentional care for and control of the body, as Paul notes: “I discipline my body and keep it under control” (1 Cor. 9:26). Specifically, bodily discipline includes regular exercise (like thirty minutes a day of strenuous workout), good nutrition (eating healthy foods and avoiding excessive calories, sugar, salt), proper rest and sleep (seven to eight hours per night), and avoidance of body-harming substances. While it is not my purpose to minimize the importance of spiritual disciplines, my theology of embodiment corrects an overlooked aspect of gospel living—physical discipline. Additionally, when spiritual disciplines call for accompanying physical activities like fasting and the foregoing of other legitimate bodily pleasures, the goal should always be increased spiritual vitality and never the punishment of the body as an opponent of spiritual maturity. Indeed, the pursuit of spiritual maturity, or sanctification, is what Paul prays for: “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23). Holistic sanctification includes holiness of the body.

Sins Connected to the Body

Sin is an enemy of sanctification, and three of the seven deadly (or chief) sins are directly connected to embodiment. Lust has been dealt with previously; it is a deadly sin of embodiment. As for a second sin, “gluttony is the immoderate consumption of food arising from the unchecked appetite for something more than, or other than, what the Lord has provided and is therefore judged a sin by God” (Jeff Olson). Indeed, Paul’s comment about enemies of the cross—“their god is their belly” (Phil. 3:19)—underscores that this sin is not only about over-consumption of food, but also about the idolatry at the heart of it (cf. Prov. 23:20-21; Gen. 25:29-34 with Heb. 12:16-17; 1 Sam. 2:12-17; Num. 11). Gluttony is a deadly sin of human embodiment. A third sin is sloth, which is psychological indifference and physical weariness toward the work that God has provided for one to accomplish (Solomon Schimmel). It results in the lack of resources for living (Prov. 6:6-11; cf. Prov. 10:26; 13:4; 20:4; 26:13-16). Sloth is a deadly sin of human embodiment. These deadly three sins—lust, gluttony, and sloth—are to be avoided or overcome as part of the sanctification of the body. As sanctification is pursued, Christians should not ignore the important biblical teaching that their body is part and parcel of this process of becoming more like Jesus Christ. To be continued.