The youth and the body
Elsie and Eric are sibling. They are both in class eight and are committed Christians. Both often attend youth fellowships where they are taught issues of life including how to be responsible in the community. During one of these fellowships, they were given an opportunity to present to their fellow youth their views on the topic “The youth and the body.”
They gave the following views. The youth should:
- Use their bodies well.
- Do physical exercises to keep fit.
- Use their bodies to help with work at home.
- Use their mouths to praise God.
- Use their eyes to observe God’s creation and praise Him.
- Use their ears to listen to the word of God.
- Use their hands to play musical instruments in church and during fellowships.
- Go to hospital when they are sick.
- Not indulge in over eating.
- Respect and keep their bodies clean.
- Not misuse their bodies through sex and drug abuse.
- Dress decently.
- Use their bodies to glorify God.
Question
If you were asked to give your views on the same topic, what would you add?
Read
- Romans 12: 1 – 3;
- 1 Corinthians 6:13, 19 – 20
Saint Paul teaches that Christians should present themselves as a living sacrifice to God. This means that Christians should avoid those things that can harm the body. In this way they will please God. They should control their bodily desires. Christians should dedicate themselves totally to God. This means that their mind, heart and body should be used for God’s service.
Christians should also not compromise their faith by living according to worldly standards. Although worldly standards on morals have declined, Christians are expected to lead a pure and holy life: Then, they will be an example to people in the world.
Paul also teaches that Christians should allow God to transform their minds through the power of the Holy Spirit so that they can know God’s perfect will for them. This means that the Holy Spirit should be allowed to control their minds so that they are not influenced by anything that is not God’s will. In this way Christians can do what is pleasing to God. Paul also advises Christians to be honest and humble.
He also teaches that the body is not meant to be used for sexual immorality. Christians should use every part of their bodies to serve God. Their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit cannot live in a dirty vessel. St Paul teaches that our bodies are not our own to use for anything we wish. Our bodies are the property of God, our creator and should be used to glorify Him. Paul also emphasises that we were bought by the expensive price, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had to die and shed His blood to make us children of God.
As Christians we should appreciate our bodies and use them to glorify God.
What I have learnt
Elsie and Eric were aware that:
- Every part of the body should be used well.
- We should respect and take good care of our bodies.
- We should not misuse our bodies through drugs and sex abuse.
- Saint Paul teaches that Christians should present their bodies as living sacrifices to God.
- The Christian body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and should therefore be used well.
- Our bodies are the property of God.
- Jesus Christ has bought us expensively through His death on the cross.
- We should glorify God with our bodies.
- We should appreciate our bodies and use each part of the body to please God.
What I will do
- I will respect and take good care of my body.
- I will use my body to glorify God.
- I will not misuse my body through drug and sexual abuse.
- I will encourage my friends not to engage in drug abuse and sexual immorality.
- I will allow the Holy Spirit to transform my mind.
- I will thank Jesus for buying me expensively through His death on the cross.
1. List five views that Elsie and Eric had about the proper use of the body.
2. Explain four teachings of St Paul about the Christian body.
3. Write four ways that show how you will respect your body.
Memorise
- 1 Corinthians 6: 19 – 20:
“Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but God; he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God’s glory.”
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