I’m sure everyone has heard the “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” verse (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and it be in reference to controlling your body weight or size in some way. Well, spoiler-alert, I’m here to disrupt that thinking and provide a call to body stewardship in a way that aligns with what the whole of Scripture is speaking to. Let’s dive in!
Biblical Foundations of Body Stewardship
In a world that has over-sexualized the body, demonized the body, and/or idolized the body it’s no wonder we don’t have a very healthy view of our bodies and Biblical body stewardship. But, what does God actually say about our bodies?
In Genesis 2:7, we see Adam created from the dust and God breathing life into his nostrils. God didn’t create Adam the soul and then place him in a vessel. You don’t just have a body, you are a body. The body is a gift from God and how we experience this earthly life, yet also imperfect because of the Fall and in need of being redeemed, should not be exchanged or abandoned.
In many cases, we tend to either under or over prioritize stewardship of our bodies. We can ignore the call to steward them with intention and care by not giving them rest, nourishment, physical movement, and hydration. We can also idolize them by desiring to control every health outcome through over exercise, strict diets, health tech, and biohacking.
Romans 8:23 reminds us of the redemption of our bodies in Christ. Our bodies have theological significance because they will be physically redeemed not simply vessels for our soul. This understanding of the body is a really important step in having a healthy body image as a believing Christian.
If you really think about all of this, it makes sense, because you can’t just use your body in any way you choose and it not affect your mind, spirit, and health. Think about abuse, poverty, trauma…it’s all connected. It’s how God made us. We can’t separate the body from the inner self (soul, spirit, mind).
The body is woven together with eternal realities, and that is a beautiful truth! So, what do we know?
We are embodied beings
Our bodies were made in the image of God
We are to worship with and present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice
Our bodies have been affected by sin (e.g., sickness, decay, death)
God promises a new (resurrected / transformed) body for those who believe in and follow Christ
“Our bodies may be lowly (Philippians 3:21), but they could not have a higher dignity -
bringing glory to God.”
- Sam Alberry in What God Has To Say about Our Bodies -
So, how do we strike a balance and care for our bodies in a way that is honoring to God? Let’s take a look at nutrition and movement.
Navigating Nutrition
Nutrition through the lens of a biblical view of body stewardship can be confusing and certainly nuanced. It’s important to understand that, as outlined above, we cannot control every health outcome, but we can make choices that help our bodies thrive.
A well-balanced diet has adequacy at its core. Enough energy in the form of calories has to be the base of the hierarchy of needs. From there, a balance of nutrients with a variety of foods and moderation should be prioritized. This typically looks like 3 balanced meals and 1-2 snacks with at least 2 food groups per day. An example day might include (keep in mind this is simply an example, not a prescription):
Breakfast: Whole grain bagel with smashed avocado and 2 fried eggs with a side of kiwi fruit, a small coffee with half and half to drink
AM Snack: Whole grain popcorn and dried mangos
Lunch: Quinoa salad with fresh veggies, feta, and an oil-based vinaigrette, chicken apple sausage links, a clementine orange, water to drink
Optional afternoon snack: raw veggies and hummus
Dinner: 4 oz roasted salmon, steamed broccoli, sweet potato with butter, unsweet tea to drink
PM Snack: Greek yogurt with raspberries and dark chocolate and hot green tea to drink
Another important aspect of nutrition is flexibility and community. In Scripture, we see food being served in communal settings very frequently and there is always a flexible, hospitable approach to the serving of food. We want to model that as well! If we cannot be flexible with our food choices or enjoy community through foods because we are too rigid with our diet, that is a problem and should be explored with food and mental health professionals.
Just as Jesus addressed clean and unclean foods in Mark 7:18-19, saying, "There is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man." It’s our hearts and actions that define us.
It helps to release the dichotomy around foods and instead understand what foods are and their purposes. Instead of labeling foods as “good” and “bad,” discuss them in ways that describe their uses. Carbohydrate foods like grains might be “energy foods” and protein rich meats might be “muscle building foods.” This perspective shift is not only helpful for us, but for the next generation of eaters as well!
Movement as an Act of Worship
God made our bodies to move and we know that maintaining physical strength, flexibility, and stamina help preserve health. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul discusses self-discipline, like training for a race. Physical training helps our minds and bodies and it can be one way to exercise self-discipline. In our modern context, typically physical movement allows for a needed break during the day, exposure to nature, and likely even prompts worship to God for a body that can move and for His creation to enjoy.
In order to view movement appropriately, we have to keep it in its right context. We want movement to be consistent in our lives but also be flexible, enjoyable, and balanced. Flexible meaning consistent but not obsessed over. Enjoyable meaning in forms we enjoy and do not view as punishment. And balanced, meaning not too much or too little. This requires self-reflection and will be different for each person based on their context, but it is available to everyone.
Some people might enjoy more flexibility based workouts, dancing, running, lifting weights, or cycling. All forms of movement can fit and be a healthy addition to your life! Find ways that you enjoy and can easily be sustained into your daily routine. Here is an example of how I usually fit in daily movement:
Fifteen to thirty minutes of weight lifting
One to three miles of walking the dog or with the kids after school
Dance parties in the kitchen
Playing tag in the evenings with the family
Cleaning the house on the weekends
As alluded to in the opening paragraphs, rest and managing daily stressors is also a really important part of stewarding our bodies. Don’t forget to provide your body with the appropriate amount of rest and recovery, which is highly individualized!
Conclusion
A final question I want you to ask yourself is: "is food or movement is my only coping mechanism?" We have lots of tools in our toolbox and food and movement are a couple of them, but we have lots of others! Just like any other coping skill, they can be inappropriately utilized and if they are, we may need help realigning them.
Caring for our bodies is important as embodied beings created by and in the image of God. It takes effort to view body stewardship appropriately and I’m grateful you are on the path to doing so! In parting, let’s offer this prayer to God:
“Father, we give you all the honor and glory for your majesty, power, and mercy. May you be honored in the way we view our bodies and care for your creation. We trust you with the renewing of our minds and sanctification of our souls as we aim to appropriately view our bodies and steward them well. Amen”
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