God’s Warrior asks:
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul wants us to glorify God in body and spirit. But what I want to know is, how are we supposed to glorify God in Spirit when we as people only see the body?
Or…
Does glorifying God in the Spirit mean that what we listen, watch or read defines us giving glory to God in the Spirit.
Any help is appreciated to be able to understand this verse.
Thank you for your question, I hope my answer(s) help.
Answer:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.
In Romans 6:13, it reveals how to glorify God in our body which says, 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.
When we are using our bodies for sin especially, in the case of sexual immorality, we are contaminating the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in it meaning that God lives inside of us and we are using His home to sin.
God takes His temple (our bodies) very seriously as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:17 which says, 17 If anyone destroys God’s sanctuary, God will destroy him; for God’s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.
When we as believers in Jesus Christ are using our bodies for sinful practices we are playing a very dangerous game.
One example of a believer paying with his life for sinning against the Lord is found in Acts 5:1-5 which says, But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? 4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!” 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard.
Our bodies to God is precious because we have become one with Christ through the Holy Spirit living in us, making our spiritual man holy.
1 Corinthians 6:15
15 Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body? So should I take a part of Christ’s body and make it part of a prostitute? Absolutely not!
In verse 18 the Scripture declares “run from sexual immorality” because it is so risky to use our bodies in that way knowing full well that God dwells inside of us and the punishment could be death.
Being a Christian doesn’t mean that we are safe and can do whatever we want. To be a follower of Jesus Christ is the best decision you have ever made because you have been rescued from the Lake of Fire and you will be with a loving Father in heaven forever. Saying that as Christians we must take that title very seriously, for God cannot be mocked and every bad decision we make has serious consequences.
This is for all Christians who are being tempted with an opportunity for or are practicing any sexual immorality.
Next time you are tempted to use your body for sexual immorality like cheating on your wife/husband or are perpetually sleeping with your girlfriend/boyfriend, you better think twice and stop it. God is warning you and His patience has a limit, don’t take it for granted because the last thing you want is God’s rod.
Spiritual Minefield 