Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit

There are countless scriptures telling us that our body is good, that God created us, male and female. God proclaims we are very good, and that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians, Paul teaches each of us to avoid sin against our body.  In verses 19 – 20 he says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been purchased at a price.  Therefore, glorify God in your body.” God tells us through His Word how much He loves us.  He knew us before we were born. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you…” (Jeremiah 1:5). We are not a mistake and God created each of us out of love, for love!  God does not make mistakes, and He certainly doesn’t make junk.  When we alter, or harm our bodies, we reject the gift God has given us.  Even when we reject the gift God has given us, He still loves us.

It is vital that we each reflect on God’s abundant love for us.  Our body is to be respected in all ways.  We should be cautious about what we put in our body, what we put on our body, and how we change our body.   Anything we do to and with our body should honor God! In Romans 12:1, we learn in fact, our body is made to worship God.

When you are having a bad day, you may look in the mirror and see a distorted view of yourself, but in God’s eyes you are always beautiful, perfect, and good.  Your view is distorted if you think that God somehow made a mistake. Always remember, “He formed you in your mother’s womb” (Psalm 139: 13).  If you are seeking perpetual youth, has this become an idol in your life? If you are unhappy with certain parts of your body or unhappy you are made male or female, remember God created you perfect, without flaw.  If you wake up in the morning and think God made a mistake…think again, He did not! He made you to reflect His glory in your own special way.  Glorify God with your body because you are unique and beautiful!  You are indispensable, irreplaceable, and unrepeatable!  There is only one YOU.

Here is what the scriptures and our catholic faith have to say…

Psalm 139: 14-15 – I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works!  My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret…

1 Corinthians 10:31 – So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2288) Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.  We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

CCC 2293 – Basic scientific research, as well as applied research, is a significant expression of man’s dominion over creation.  Science and technology are precious resources when placed at the service of man and promote his integral development for the benefit of all.  By themselves however they cannot disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress.  Science and technology are ordered to man, from whom they take their origin and development; hence they find in the person and in his moral values both evidence of their purpose and awareness of their limits.

Theology of the Body 19:4 – The central thesis of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, is that “the body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine.