“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; all Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version).

Let us consider this passage in relation to the concept of oblation, offering ourselves as living sacrifices to God in prayer, word, and daily life:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

Many Christians use 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 to claim that unhealthy physical habits are sinful. It has been used by some churches and Christians to claim that people should never smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs. (These churches usually do not mention gluttony or laziness in this context.) However, when one reads 1 Corinthians 6 and 7, it is obvious that the only sin that this passage explicitly rebukes is sexual immorality. However, the rationale is total devotion to God. We have been bought with a price. Jesus shed His blood for our sins, redeeming us from Satan’s power, so now our entire lives belong to Him.

We should not use our bodies in ways that dishonor Christ. Sex within marriage provides an image of the relationship between Christ and His church (see Ephesians 5:25-32). We become “one flesh” with the other person. We should make certain that this glorifies the Lord:

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, ‘The two will become one flesh.’ But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him” (1 Corinthians 6:15-17).

The principle expands beyond that. We belong to Christ. Our bodies, as well as our souls and spirits, are set apart as holy temples for the Lord’s presence.

We might extend the lesson beyond sexual immorality, but many of us do not take it far enough. Someone who does not smoke or drink might wave this verse in the face of a smoker or drinker. We are quick to use this verse when we do not struggle with a certain sin.

However, what about gluttony? Laziness? What about overworking until we wear ourselves out and get sick? With any teaching in Scripture, before we use it to point out other people’s sins, we should ask God, “How does this relate to my life?”

The first-century church faced other questions about how we offer ourselves to God. While modern Christians argue about things alcohol or tobacco, early Christians asked, “Is it okay to eat meat? What about pork? What about food that my non-Christian neighbor cooked, which might have been sacrificed to a pagan idol?” Take note of the “shallow Christian” justifications for certain actions below, contrasted with Paul’s Holy-Spirit-guided insights into a more nuanced, mature approach:

“‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything. ‘Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!” (1 Corinthians 6:12-15).

Many Christians today will still approach a lifestyle choice by saying, “Well, Jesus never said it was wrong, so it must be okay.” However, a wise Christian will ask other questions:

• Is it helpful to me? Will it improve my relationship with Christ? Will it make me a better person?
• Is it helpful to others? Will I be capable of serving and blessing others by doing this?
• Will it end up controlling me? Will I find myself yielding to this object or activity’s domination instead of the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Many Christians like to say that they have a personal relationship with Jesus. Well, this makes it personal. There will be times when something is not a sin. However, it is also not God’s perfect will for your life. It might not be the best way to use your time or energy. It could be a poor way to use your resources. It might be a horrible way to treat your body.

As we live in fellowship with Jesus Christ, our choices should begin with the question, “What does the Bible say I must do? What does it say I cannot do?” But, let us go deeper in discipleship. Let us ask the Holy Spirit, “What is God’s true will for me in this situation?” (It might be different from His will for another person.) “What does God think is best for me? How can I glorify Him in this area of my life?”

The Christian life goes beyond rules. Christian morality goes beyond biology. It reaches into the areas of obedience and oblation as we devote every area of our lives to the glory of God. As we pray, we should continually as God for the wisdom to recognize His will for us whenever we have to make a choice or decision.

Has the Holy Spirit ever used 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 to guide an area of your life? How has He used it? In what areas of your life can you apply this passage? Share your thoughts in the comments field below.

Copyright © 2025 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.