Text: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20

¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

THE BODY AND SIN

Memory verse: Romans 7:18 “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”

After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden Genesis 3, everything changed. Before the fall, their bodies were healthy and whole. They did not feel pain, sickness, or death. But after they disobeyed God, their bodies became weak. Now, all human bodies can get sick, feel pain, grow old, and die. This is one of the results of sin entering the world.

But it was not just the body that changed. Human desires changed too. The Bible often uses the word “flesh” (Greek: sarx) to describe this. The “flesh” is not just the skin or muscles. It means the part of you that wants to do wrong, like being selfish, proud, greedy, or giving in to lust or anger. These desires come from our broken human nature.

Now, it is important to understand this: our bodies are not evil. God created the human body, and He said, it is “very good” Genesis 1:31. But after the fall, our bodies became weaker, and without God’s Spirit helping us, we often do things we know are wrong.

Apostle Paul talked about this in Romans 7:18 where he said, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh…” Apostle Paul did not mean he hates his body. Instead, he is being honest, without God’s Spirit, he struggles to do what is right. His body wants comfort and pleasure, but sometimes those desires lead to sin. God designed your body to run smoothly and take you in the right direction. But after sin came into the world, it often pulls you to the wrong direction

The Holy Spirit is like the mechanic who sits beside you and helps you steer and help you fix things up as you go. Without Him, you are likely going to crash. But with Him, you can still follow the right part. Our bodies can still serve God, but we need His Spirit to guide us. The body is good, but it needs healing and help because of sin.

COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 2; SS&S 621: I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE

1. 1. I gave My life for thee ;
      My precious blood I shed,
      That thou might’st ransomed be,
      And quickened from the dead.
      I gave My life for thee :
      What hast thou given for Me ?
   2. I spent long years for thee
      In weariness and woe,
      That an eternity
      Of joy thou mightest know.
      I spent long years for thee :
      Hast thou spent one for Me ?

    

   3. My Father’s home of light,
      My rainbow-circled throne,
      I left for earthly night,
      For wanderings sad and lone.
      I left it all for thee :
      Hast thou left aught for Me ?
   4. I suffered much for thee—-
      More than thy tongue can tell,
      Of bitterest agony—-
      To rescue thee from hell.
      I suffered much for thee :
      What canst thou bear for Me ?
   5. “And I have brought to thee,
      Down from My home above.
      Salvation full and free,
      My pardon and My love.
      Great gifts I brought to thee :
      What hast thou brought to Me ?”
   6. Oh, let thy life be given,
      Thy years for Him be spent ;
      World-fetters all be riven,
      And joy with suffering blent.
      Bring thou thy worthless all :
      Follow thy Saviour’s call.

Today’s Prayer

1. 1. Lord, help me resist sinful desires and honour You with my body and daily choices.
   2. Holy Spirit, strengthen my weak flesh to live in holiness and walk in Your truth.
   3. Father, guide others to overcome sinful habits and see their bodies as sacred temples for Your glory. Amen.