The Bible views the body as a temple of God, encouraging care and respect for oneself. Scripture speaks against harmful practices, promoting purity and health as a way to honor God. Here’s how the Bible guides us in caring for our bodies.
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What Does The Bible Say About Defiling Your Body
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
This verse reminds us that our bodies are not our own, but rather they belong to God. As temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to honor God with our bodies by keeping them pure and not defiling them.
By honoring God with our bodies, we demonstrate our love and respect for Him, recognizing that our bodies are an instrument for His purposes. We should strive to make choices that align with His will and avoid anything that would defile or dishonor our bodies.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
Here, God emphasizes that His Spirit dwells within us, making us His temple. Therefore, we should not defile our bodies, for doing so would be damaging His sacred dwelling place.
By recognizing our bodies as God’s temple, we are encouraged to maintain our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We should strive to uphold the sanctity of our bodies and ensure that we are living in a manner that is pleasing to God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”
God’s desire is for us to be sanctified and set apart from the ways of the world. This includes avoiding sexual immorality and exercising self-control over our bodies, honoring them in a way that is holy and honorable.
By respecting our bodies and embracing God’s will for our lives, we demonstrate our commitment to living a life that is pleasing to Him. It is through self-control and obedience that we can guard against defiling our bodies and maintain purity in all areas of our lives.
Ephesians 5:3
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
God calls us to live lives of holiness and purity, free from any form of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed. These behaviors defile our bodies and are not fitting for those who belong to God.
By guarding against even the smallest hint of these sinful behaviors, we demonstrate our commitment to honoring and glorifying God with our bodies. We are called to be a reflection of His righteousness and to maintain a high standard of moral purity.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
These verses highlight a wide range of actions and attitudes that defile the body and go against the ways of God. These include sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, hatred, rage, selfish ambition, and drunkenness, among others.
Paul warns believers that those who persist in these behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. Therefore, we are called to reject these sinful practices and instead pursue a life that is characterized by the fruits of the Spirit.
Romans 8:13
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
Living according to the desires of the flesh leads to spiritual death, but when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can overcome the sinful deeds of the body and experience true life.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can resist the temptations that defile our bodies and instead live in a manner that is pleasing to God. It is by relying on the Spirit’s strength that we can overcome the desires of the flesh and live a life that brings honor and glory to Him.
1 Peter 2:11
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
Peter encourages believers to abstain from sinful desires, recognizing that they are in direct conflict with the well-being of our souls. By indulging in these desires, we defile our bodies and hinder our spiritual growth.
As Christians, we are called to live as foreigners and exiles in this world, not conforming to its sinful ways. This includes resisting the temptations and desires that wage war against our souls, and instead pursuing a life of righteousness and holiness.
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Jesus takes the commandment against adultery a step further by emphasizing the importance of purity in our thoughts and intentions. He teaches that even lustful thoughts defile the body and are equivalent to committing adultery in the heart.
These verses remind us of the need to guard our minds and hearts, ensuring that our thoughts align with God’s standards of purity. It is not enough to simply avoid physical acts of adultery; we must also strive for purity in our thought life.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
We are called to put to death the sinful desires that belong to our earthly nature. This includes sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which are regarded as idolatry.
By actively seeking to rid ourselves of these worldly desires, we can prevent them from defiling our bodies and hindering our spiritual growth. We are called to separate ourselves from the ways of the world and instead pursue a life that is pleasing to God.
Proverbs 6:25-26
“Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.”
Solomon warns against the dangers of lusting after the beauty of another person. He highlights the destructive consequences that come from being enticed by someone who is not our spouse.
These verses serve as a reminder to guard our hearts and minds against the temptation to indulge in lustful desires. By doing so, we can protect our bodies from being defiled and maintain healthy relationships in accordance with God’s design.
1 Peter 1:14-15
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to live a life that is distinct from the sinful desires and behaviors of our past. Instead, we are to be holy in all aspects of our lives, just as God is holy.
These verses remind us of the importance of continually seeking holiness and refusing to conform to the evil desires that once characterized our lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can resist temptation and avoid defiling our bodies.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Everything we do, including how we treat our bodies, should be done with the aim of bringing glory to God. Our actions should not defile our bodies, but rather honor God and reflect His character.
These verses encourage us to consider how our choices and behaviors affect our witness as Christians. By treating our bodies with respect and making choices that align with God’s principles, we can glorify Him and be a testimony of His love and grace to those around us.
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Because of the promises we have received from God, we are called to purify ourselves from anything that contaminates our body and spirit. This involves perfecting holiness as an act of reverence for God.
These verses emphasize the importance of pursuing purity and holiness in all areas of our lives. By actively seeking to remove anything that defiles our bodies and spirits, we can set ourselves apart for God’s purposes and experience His transforming work.
Proverbs 5:3-5
“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.”
These verses offer a caution against falling into the trap of sexual immorality. While it may seem enticing and pleasurable in the moment, it ultimately leads to destruction and death.
By heeding this warning and valuing the sanctity of our bodies, we can avoid the devastating consequences that come from indulging in sinful desires. It is a reminder to guard our hearts and minds, avoiding anything that would defile our bodies and lead us away from God’s plan for our lives.
Proverbs 23:7
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
This verse highlights the connection between our thoughts and actions. Our thoughts have the power to shape our character and influence our behavior, including how we treat our bodies.
By cultivating pure and righteous thoughts, we can guard against defiling our bodies and instead align our actions with God’s standards. It is a reminder to be mindful of the thoughts we entertain and to pursue godly thinking that leads to a life of holiness.
Matthew 15:11
“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
Jesus teaches that it is not what we consume physically that defiles us, but rather the words and attitudes that come out of our mouths. The way we speak and treat others has a direct impact on our character and the state of our hearts.
These verses remind us to be mindful of our words and actions, ensuring that they are pleasing to God and do not defile our bodies. By speaking words of life, love, and encouragement, we can honor God with both our bodies and our speech.
Romans 6:12-13
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”
These verses emphasize the importance of not allowing sin to have dominion over our bodies. We are called to offer ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness, dedicating every part of ourselves to His service.
By actively surrendering to God and resisting the temptations that defile our bodies, we can live in a manner that reflects His transforming power in our lives. It is a call to actively pursue righteousness and to use our bodies as instruments for His glory.
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
This verse poses a question regarding how to maintain purity in a world that promotes defilement. The answer lies in living according to God’s Word and following His commands.
By immersing ourselves in Scripture and allowing its truths to guide our actions, we can guard against the influences that defile our bodies. It is through a continual pursuit of God’s truth that we can find strength and wisdom to live in a manner that honors Him.
2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
These verses urge believers to flee from the evil desires of youth and instead pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. They also highlight the importance of surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who also strive for purity.
By intentionally avoiding situations and influences that lead to defiling our bodies and seeking after godly virtues, we can experience growth in our spiritual lives. The support and accountability of other believers can be instrumental in maintaining purity and avoiding the pitfalls of sinful desires.
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
These words of wisdom emphasize the need to guard and protect our hearts, as it is the source of our thoughts, desires, and actions. Our choices and behaviors flow from the condition of our hearts.
By actively safeguarding our hearts and seeking after God, we can prevent the defilement of our bodies. It is through cultivating a heart that is surrendered to Him and aligned with His Word that we can experience true purity in every aspect of our lives.
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
Paul urges believers to flee from sexual immorality, recognizing that this specific sin has unique consequences as it directly affects our own bodies.
These verses highlight the importance of honoring our bodies and avoiding sexual sins that defile them. By heeding this warning, we can protect ourselves from the adverse effects of sexual immorality and uphold the sanctity of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.