3 Basic Steps for Getting in Shape

John Powers says that one day it was like the Holy Spirit said to him, "John, your body is a temple ... not an amusement park." After repentance, he realized it was time to surrender his body as a place of worship.

"Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Cor. 6:19-20, HCSB)

In context, Paul was talking about sexual purity to Corinthians who were offering two arguments to defend their sensuality.

"Everything is permissible for me" (6:12) This was a popular attitude in Corinth, based on an incorrect view of freedom in Christ. Jesus did not set any believer free to become enslaved in bondage of any type again.

"Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods" (6:13) They treated sex as an appetite to be satisfied and not as a gift to be treasured. In a word, their sensuality was to sex what gluttony was to eating. Both are wrong and both bring devastating consequences.

Read John's three steps for getting in shape.