The Biblical Truth You Want to Know About “My Body My Choice”
The cultural message for the past 50 years has been “my body, my choice.”
But is that true based on God’s Word?
In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul wrote:
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
Other translations say:
- you are not your own
- you don’t own yourself
- you are not the owner of your own body
- your body does not belong to you
And I really like the way The Message says it:
The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works.
1 Corinthians 6:19 (MSG)
It’s truly extraordinary! When Jesus went to the cross for you and for me, when the Holy Spirit brought us to faith . . . a “transaction” took place. Christ Jesus paid “a high price” and we became His—that includes our bodies.
That Biblical truth transforms “my body my choice” into “my body God’s will.”
Paul wrote the following to the church in Rome:
I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you…
Romans 12:1–2a
Read that one more time and ask God to imprint it on your heart and mind.
No matter what the world says about “my body my choice”, you and I are called to honor God with our whole selves . . . our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our souls.
The Life Application Bible Notes make this great analogy…
If you live in a building owned by someone else, you try not to violate the building’s rules. Because your body belongs to God, you must not violate His standards for living.
Let’s pray that we all might start to look at ‘my body my choice” from God’s perspective.
A Prayer to Honor God with My Body and My Choices
Father, forgive us. Forgive me. We have believed the enemies lies about freedom. Lies that enslave us to sin and its consequences. How we take care of our bodies . . . what we do sexually, what we eat and drink, what we watch or read or hear, what we think and say and do—it all matters to You.
Lord Jesus, You gave up the glories of heaven to show us the Father’s will and suffer our punishment. You paid the price for my sin. You bought my soul with the greatest price—Your very life. You said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” and then you added, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:13–14) You ask me to obey You because I love You. I am forever indebted to You. Yet, all You ask is that I trust, love, and follow You.
Father God, please help me honor You with my body and my choices. Help me trust You and follow Your will in everything I do. Help me SEEK Your truth when the world shouts its lies and I am tempted to listen. Fill me with Your Spirit that I might live each day in ways that show You how much I love You. Help me love others the way You have loved me. I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Following Jesus means laying aside our own will and desires for His. It means putting all our efforts, energy, and resources in His hands. It means trusting that He wants what is best for us.
It means believing…
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
And with the Spirit’s help choosing…
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Ephesians 5:15–17
It means trusting God to help give us everything we need to SEEK His will so we can honor Him with our bodies and our choices.
On today’s note write:
With the Spirit’s help, I will honor God with my body and my choices.
May God bless you today as You surrender Your life to His grace, mercy, and love and experience His peace and joy.
Beautifully said, Deb.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha! Have a wonderful day!
Hi, Deb! I love reading your posts! I can truly feel the love and what you write is so inspiring and up-lifting! May God bless you abundantly! I get your emails and follow you on FB and Pinterest.
Oh, Trish, you made my day! Thank you so very much for blessing me with your kindness. I love doing this and it brings me joy to know when it has been a blessing in someone’s life. May God be with you and bless you abundantly.
Absolutely!!! What a good reminder.
Thank you, Krista. God bless you!
Well said, Deb and perfect timing. God was speaking directly to me, convicting me of overeating these past few weeks!
Hi, Heidi. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind encouragement. I’m so glad this blessed you . . . I needed the reminder too! May God be with you and bless you!
Yes our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Deb we all need to hear this. When we take care of God has entrusted to us, the Holy Spirit can dwell in us. We give glory to our God by taking care of His temple. Your words and those from scripture are encouraging me to live a healthier life. I too needed to hear this and God’s spirit is truly alive. Thank you Deb.
Angela – Ireland
Blessings to you, Angela! I need this regular reminder . . . it’s just so easy to become self-focused. What a blessing to know the Lord’s love and experience His grace and mercy!