In his wilderness temptation, Jesus perfectly controlled his body. It was serving God’s mission, which was to defeat temptation. We, however, are often not in control of our bodies, but ruled by them. “What the body wants, the will chooses and the mind justifies.” That quote seems to describe the Apostle Paul in his Romans 7 lamentation of wretchedness. He calls his body a “body of death.” Our bodies, however broken, are a gift from God enabling us to exercise dominion in the world. Jesus’ victory over death paid the penalty of our sins and broke its power. The Christian is free to serve God instead of sin.

You were bought with a price (the Cross), so glorify God in your body.

The Corinthians seemed to have some unhelpful attitudes toward the body. The ESV translators recognized Paul quoting them as saying “all things are lawful for me” (v. 12) and “food for the stomach and the stomach for food” (v. 13).  He uses both of these statements to correct their use of the body.  

To the first quote, Paul refused to cheapen God’s grace by living outside of the law. He points out that not all things are helpful. He refused to be mastered by anything. In 1 Cor. 9:27, he says he pummels his body to make it his slave.  

To the second quote, Paul says the body is for the Lord and the Lord is for the body. Our bodies are parts of Christ and a temple for the Holy Spirit. To sin, especially sexually, is to sin against the body and the Lord. 

Taking It Home: Ask God to reveal deep seated patterns of sin in your body. In his strength make the effort to overcome these.