Glorifying God in My Body - 345-349

345.  Is it important to God how I treat my body?

• 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
• 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
• 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
• 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Divine Spirit of God, to realize that You want my body to be Your temple is an awesome thought! You want a holy temple, undefiled by sin and selfish indulgence. Teach me, dear Holy Spirit, to sanctify my body, and my spirit, for You, so that God may be glorified in all that I do and by everything I eat or drink as well.

346.  Should I practice temperance, which is avoiding excess or harmful substances?

• Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
• 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
• Galatians 5:23, 24 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
• 2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
• Revelation 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Dear Holy Father, Temperance is a beautiful principle that the godly must follow. This includes avoiding harmful substances, and self control to resist indulging in strong cravings. Lord, save me from harmful addictions. Enable me to crucify the flesh and deny self. Show me how to reason from cause to effect and not dismiss Your call to be temperate. Help me to live to glorify You.

347.  Does God care about my health?

• Genesis 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
• Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
• Psalm 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
• Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
• 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Dearest Lord, You do care about my health. You have provided much knowledge so that I can choose a healthy lifestyle. So many of the common diseases today are cause by a refusal to follow healthy habits. Your original diet of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts has been scientifically proven to be the most healthful diet. Show me how to make healthy choices so I can receive Your healing power in my life.

348.  Is gluttony and indulged appetite displeasing to God?

• Deuteronomy 21:20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
• Proverbs 23:2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
• Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
• Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
• Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
• Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Father, Teach me to keep my appetite under control so that I will not be a rebellious glutton. Teach me to eat thoughtfully and deliberately, not just impulsively putting food into my mouth to satisfy perverted taste. Lead me to eat for strength and health, not for carnal pleasure. Keep me from exalting my appetite to become my god, but empower me to keep my appetite under the control of sanctified reason. May I always listen to Your Spirit, even as I eat and drink.

349.  Do alcoholic beverages enfeeble the mind and body?

• Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
• Proverbs 23:29, 30 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
• Proverbs 23:31, 32 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
• Isaiah 5:11, 22 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
• Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Lord, You have warned Your children to avoid alcoholic beverages. Just by looking around at the woe and heartache alcohol has caused, broken homes, tragic accidents, strife, abuse, rage, in those who are under its influence, teaches me to stay far away from the stuff. Teach me to value a clear mind so that I may always be receptive to the voice of conscience and maintain moral integrity.

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