God's intricate design is for your good

God Created, you, He knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13), knew you before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5), and cares very deeply not just about your soul (Colossians 1:16-23), but about your physical well-being (1 Timothy 4:8).  He cares as your creator, and for your ability to do His will, which gives you purpose (Jeremiah 1:5), draws you closer to Him, and brings unity with Him and fellow believers in the present (John 15:12-17, and 17:6-26).   

If you consider the original sin (Genesis 3), Satan uses our drive to "taste and pleasure" to pull Eve and Adam away from fellowship with God.  Their, and our, drive to seek self-satisfaction is not evil alone, but when we question God's boundaries, test them, and think we know better and can control the outcome of disobedience because we are above reproach, we have elevated ourselves.  We somehow think with Adam and Eve, even though we have their example, that we might have more wisdom by experiencing the things of this world (Genesis 3:6 and following).  That somehow marrying experience outside of God's will and boundaries would bring greater blessing.  Do you really believe that?  You'd probably say, NO!  Yet, our actions, what we gravitate towards, have all the qualities of that original deception, it "Appeared good for consumption, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom." 

We as humans have a propensity to seek pleasure and comfort in the things of this world, which takes our focus off our provider.  God knows that, and gives us boundaries.  Think of the Israelites, freed from slavery in Egypt, having the spirit of the Lord with them, and still focused on delighting their tongues with food and letting that be a driving desire over fellowship with the Lord.  They were even willing to return to forced servitude rather than following God to the promised land.  Are we any different?

The Corinthians were known for there affection for food and physical gratification, saying, "The stomach for food and food for the stomach and both will be destroyed in Hell," (1 Corinthians 6:13) or "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." (1 Corinthians 15:32-34) To which Paul counters with, "True, but I will not be enslaved by anything!"  and "Stop sinning, for this is out of ignorance of God."  If we accept the lie that what we do with our physical bodies, that are temporary, doesn't matter, we will have a much more temporary (small) impact on the kingdom.  Does that sound like God's will for your life?  

John Piper says it this way, "The reason people are unhealthy is because they're enslaved.  They are enslaved to laziness, and they are enslaved to food.  So they eat too much and they exercise too little.  And they have heart attacks and get diabetes.  And God would consider that a spiritual issue.

So we should strive spiritually.  What did Paul mean when he said, "I will not be enslaved by anything?"  He meant, "Christ is your master!"

When we consider what we put in our body, it is really no different, the affect and effect it has on our spiritual walk with what we do with our body, and further, what we feed our mind with.  Galatians 5:22-23 is a self-checkup.  Are we functioning submitted to Holy Spirit's control, or gratifying ourselves as if we are our own temple?  "The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control."  If any substance we consume, thought we entertain, or action we take does not look like this, we are not submitted.  What are we warned of that our earthly mind and bodies want to gravitate towards? Galatians 5:16-21 spells it out for me and you with a warning, specifically, verse 19-21: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, faction and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

When we consider the examples of fasting throughout the bible, we will see that each instance is for the calling of something bold.  That each person, though they may become physically weak for the sustenance they missed, are stronger in resolve and ability because they are filled up with the Lord.  

I think I have hit on the 5 senses.  I hope that you would consider what God is next calling you to in purity.  It may seem a distraction to train yourself against the things of this world, but it is by overcoming them that you will experience greater freedom and strength (1 Corinthians 9:27).  When you know you are fully submitting to God, and your body isn't telling you otherwise, there is no distraction.

God gives us boundaries for our physical, mental, and spiritual health so that we can better exist in this world and for His purpose for us here, and to prepare us for eternity with Him.  Our relationship with food, sex, entertainment, and rest can be in alignment with Him, or for our own gratification.  He gave these things to us for our good and enjoyment, and health.  When we seek these things more than Him, more than honoring the boundaries He gives us within them, we will experience earthly and heavenly consequences of separation.  When we seek to honor Him in each area, we will experience true dwelling with Him.

Reflection

Think about how you view your body. Do you see it as your own possession, or as God’s temple? Do you struggle with neglect, shame, or pride over your health?

Surrendering your body doesn’t mean perfection—it means devotion. It’s choosing to honor God with your habits, your strength, and even your frailty.

Imagine living free from comparison and control, walking instead in gratitude for the body God has given you, and trusting Him with every breath, every step, and every season of health. That is the joy of surrender.

---

✨ Prayer:
“Lord, I surrender my body to You.  My eyes, ears, my mind, the things I set my hand to, the pleasures I seek, all these for your glory, to be pure, Holy, and pleasing to You.  Thank You for making me in Your image and for dwelling in me by Your Spirit. Help me to honor You with my health, my habits, and my strength. Teach me to trust You in weakness and to glorify You in all I do. Amen.”