Instead of disparaging self-criticism, see ourselves as God sees us and recognize that we are a temple of beauty.
Instead of disparaging self-criticism, see ourselves as God sees us and recognize that we are a temple of beauty.
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Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
What do we do when we fall into disparaging self-criticism about our bodies and appearances? When we see ourselves as God sees us, we recognize that we are a temple of beauty.
As Christians, our beauty is an inner Spiritual beauty first—inward adornment rather than outward adornment. We either fall into the trap of worldly beauty or go with a God perspective. Comparison, which we discussed in last week’s blog When Our Beauty Compares, is one of the problems that can occur when we live in a world perspective instead of through God’s lens. Another issue is not understanding, accepting, or wanting the bodies God gave us.
Now I’ve gotten myself into a pickle as I’ve gained some weight, and some of that is my fault. Gluttony is a sin that I struggle with. But rather than beating myself up, I repent to God and ask him for the strength to eat better and exercise, to give me the discipline I need. This means taking a walk on my lunch break and preparing a food plan that will lead me to success rather than suddenly ravenous, and there are only cookies and crackers in the pantry. This also means giving myself grace when the path is hard.
God blesses me with health and youth. And this is pretty awesome for a woman in her 60s. So I need to honor that by being intentional with my body.
The body is God’s temple, and we must take care of it the best we can with what is in our control.
The body is God’s temple, and we must take care of it the best we can with what is in our control.
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We belong to Jesus, including our bodies, because we were bought with a price. Our body is a temple where the Holy Spirit resides. Therefore, glorify God in your body. We can be victorious against the sin of our flesh because we have the strength and power of the living God in us.
The reality is that each of God’s children is beautiful in his eyes. When God looks at us, he sees us as the beauty of Jesus. We are pleasing to God. Our job is to shine like Jesus and reflect the light of Jesus, which has nothing to do with our outward appearance.
However, we should take care of our appearances to glorify God. We do this through eating healthy, exercising, grooming, and self-care.
As Jesus’s representatives, we must be the best we can, reflecting him from the inside out.
Sometimes our physical body is entirely out of our control, and God knows that. He will still shine a light through you and give you godly confidence.
Address the things we can, like our diet and exercise. Then when seasons and events come along that we cannot control, like aging or sickness, we discover we are not victims of our circumstances. We will persevere because we know God holds all. God will give us all the strength we need. He will provide us with peace, hope, and comfort, and walk us through this Earth.
Your body is a beautiful temple full of the goodness of God. Embrace and love it from the inside and out.
Your body is a beautiful temple full of the goodness of God. Embrace and love it from the inside and out.
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This truth brought much freedom to me as a young wife and mom, Deborah, “As Christians, our beauty is an inner Spiritual beauty first—inward adornment rather than outward adornment.” I’ll never forget one morning when I was lamenting before the Lord one of the enemy’s whispered lies, “I’m not valuable anymore!” The Lord set me free with this statement, “You’re not for sale.” I had been bought with a price and I was His! That is when I started on the journey of cultivating inner beauty and not comparing myself to others. It makes for a freeing life, Deborah!
Lisa, thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I love that we are not for sale and belong to Him. This is so freeing. And it helps me to hear your story and how God set you free to cultivate inner beauty and not compare. I do struggle with this and that is why God has led me to write about it – to learn His truth.
This is encouraging and a message that ALL women need to hear for their spiritual health and well being. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, I sometimes forget that and don’t take care of my body like I should. But we are a temple of beauty, I love how you said that. Love this beautiful post, Deborah! ??
Donna, when I attended First Baptist Atlanta Dr. Stanley would tell us how important it was to also take care of our bodies. I have to remind myself of this. Especially when writing and schedule in walking breaks.