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? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.The Word says that there are three things that belong to God: your spirit, your body, your tithe. For twenty two years I have emphasized the value of spiritual hygiene. Reading the Word, studying the Word and meditating the Word are essentials to spiritual health and growth.
(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
It has become more evident to me recently that there is great value in maintaining my body. It honors God when we recognize the value of our bodies as carriers of God's anointing. When we present our bodies to God, we are giving first fruits so all the rest will be blessed. Our bodies—as well as our spirits and minds—must be well maintained.
Body maintenance wards off sickness and disease. The Word of God will equip you, but proper diet and exercise reinforces spiritual preparation. When virus or bacteria is looking for a host, a well conditioned body says, "You are not welcome here!"
If sickness enters, the well-maintained body is well able to drive out the enemy. Colds and flu don't ravage our bodies if they are cared for and rested. Proper physical conditioning with a well balanced diet will shorten time to recovery.
I appreciate how well my pastor, Mac Hammond, cares for his body. He is always the picture of health. What a vision!
If your body does not reflect God's picture of health, do your family and your ministry a great service:
1. Make a decision today to eat correctly.
2. Begin an exercise program.
3. Switch lanes regularly by developing a diversion from work such as a hobby.
4. Schedule vacations and 'mini get-aways' in advance.
Be an example to others in the Body of Christ of God's promises in action. Let's give them something to shoot for.
A lifelong Minnesotan, Phil graduated from North High in Minneapolis in 1963. At age 17, he enlisted in the National Guard and received his commission as an Army officer in 1966. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1970, he took a position a hospital representative for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The same year he married his college sweetheart Annie Haviland. 
