30 October | Teens
«Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom
you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.» 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
In the Old Testament, God’s people built a sanctuary as a special place to worship God. Already in the New Testament, synagogues became places of gathering and teaching. But what about today? The Bible teach-es us something amazing: our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that churches are not important, but rather that God does not dwell in buildings made by human hands, but within us!
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul reminds us that we were bought with a high price—Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Therefore, we must honor God with our bodies. This entails taking good care of our bodies, not only physically but also spiritually. As temples of the Holy Spirit, we should reflect God’s love, purity, and holiness in our actions, thoughts, and words.
Having the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts will grant us incredible power, and as a phrase you may al-ready know, it will also bring great responsibility. This means that wherever we are, we can worship God and feel His presence. We do not need to be in a specific place to be close to God, because He is always with us.
Take Action
As a practical way to remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, choose a healthy activity to do regularly. It could be a walk, a sport, or even some exercises at home. As you practice this activity, reflect on how you are caring for God’s temple. Remember, taking care of your body is a way of honoring God!