The bible teaches us that we are called to honor God not only with our actions but also with our bodies. The Bible offers wisdom on how we should care for our physical bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit. Here are several passages that guide us on this important matter.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Exposing Your Body
Your Body as a Temple
Our bodies are described as temples of the Holy Spirit, which calls us to be mindful of what we put in them. The scriptures remind us to honor God by treating our bodies with respect and care, as they are not our own but God’s dwelling place.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
Romans 12:1
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”
1 Timothy 4:8
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Food and Drink
Scripture teaches that while we have the freedom to eat and drink, we should not let these things rule over us or harm our bodies. Moderation and mindfulness in what we consume are key principles taught in the Bible.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Proverbs 23:20-21
“Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.”
1 Corinthians 8:8
“It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.”
Romans 14:17
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
1 Timothy 5:23
“Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.”
Avoiding Drunkenness
While the Bible does not prohibit alcohol entirely, it warns strongly against drunkenness. Being intoxicated leads to loss of self-control, which goes against the character God wants us to exhibit as His followers.
Ephesians 5:18
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Galatians 5:21
“Envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
1 Peter 4:3
“You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.”
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.”
Isaiah 5:11
“What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning looking for a drink of alcohol and spend long evenings drinking wine to make themselves flaming drunk.”
Maintaining Self-Control
The Bible teaches that self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. As believers, we are called to exercise discipline in all areas of life, including what we put into our bodies. Self-control is essential to living a life that pleases God.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
1 Peter 5:8
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.”
Proverbs 25:28
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”
Gluttony and Overindulgence
While God provides us with food and drink to sustain us, the Bible warns against gluttony and overindulgence. We are encouraged to practice moderation and avoid letting our appetites control us.
Philippians 3:19
“They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.”
Proverbs 23:2
“If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat.”
Proverbs 25:16
“Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!”
Luke 21:34
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware.”
Proverbs 28:7
“Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.”
Avoiding Harmful Substances
Beyond food and drink, the Bible calls us to avoid substances that can harm our bodies. Whether it be addictive substances or anything that leads us into sin, we are to care for our bodies as gifts from God.
1 Corinthians 6:12
“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. And even though ‘I am allowed to do anything,’ I must not become a slave to anything.”
Proverbs 31:4-5
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.”
Romans 13:14
“Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
Proverbs 23:29-30
“Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.”
1 Peter 2:11
“Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”
Trusting God with Your Body
God calls us to trust Him with all areas of our lives, including our bodies. We should rely on His wisdom in how we treat and care for ourselves, trusting that His ways are for our good and His glory.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Psalm 139:13-14
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
Matthew 6:25
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?”
1 Corinthians 10:13
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
Isaiah 40:29
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Medicine
What Does the Bible Say About Putting Things in Your Body
The Bible is clear that our bodies are precious gifts from God, and how we treat them matters. God created us in His image, which means our bodies are not just random collections of bones, muscles, and organs. They are designed with care and purpose. Because of this, the Bible encourages us to honor God with our bodies. This means we need to think carefully about what we put into them.
First, the Bible reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. When we give our lives to Jesus, God’s Spirit lives in us. Just like you wouldn’t want to make a mess inside a church building, we shouldn’t treat our bodies carelessly. What we eat, drink, and even breathe matters. If we are constantly putting harmful things into our bodies, we are not treating God’s temple with respect. This doesn’t mean that eating candy or drinking soda is a sin, but if something is harmful, addictive, or damaging, we need to think twice about it. God wants us to live healthy lives, not because He’s strict, but because He loves us and wants the best for us.
When it comes to substances like drugs or excessive alcohol, the Bible is pretty straightforward. Getting drunk or high can make us lose control, and that’s a big problem. We are called to be in control of our actions and thoughts, and anything that takes that control away isn’t good for us. If we are filling our bodies with things that lead to bad decisions, then we’re not living the way God wants us to live. Some people might say that it’s their body and they can do what they want, but as Christians, we believe our bodies belong to God. We are only borrowing them, so we need to take care of them as best as we can.
It’s also important to note that our actions can affect others. If you are putting something harmful in your body, it can hurt your family, friends, and those around you. We are not just living for ourselves; we have a responsibility to care for others. Imagine if someone sees you treating your body poorly, they might think it’s okay for them to do the same. Instead, we should set a good example that encourages others to make wise choices.
To sum it up, putting harmful things into our bodies is not just about breaking rules. It’s about honoring God, taking care of what He’s given us, and loving those around us. God wants us to live full, healthy, and joyful lives, and that means making decisions that protect and respect our bodies. So, before you put something in your body, ask yourself: will this honor God? Will this help me be the person He created me to be? We might not always get it right, but with God’s help, we can make better choices that lead to a better life.