What Does it Mean to Honor God with Your Body?
We live in a world that’s obsessed with bodies. Our social media feeds, the entertainment we stream, and our everyday conversations are filled with references and opinions on how our bodies should look, feel, or perform.
The Apostle Paul presents a foundational truth that feels just as radical today as it did then:
“You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
This isn’t a guilt trip or restriction — it’s an invitation to freedom. Here are three truths that become your reality when you realize your body isn’t merely yours:
Truth 1: Your Value Comes From God
We often measure worth by mirrors, opinions of others, and performance reviews. God has a different standard.
You are not valuable because of what others see. You are valuable because of who made you. Not only that, He paid the ultimate price for you
God created you on purpose and for a purpose. Then, He stepped into your story as Jesus the Son to save you for that purpose: to be in relationship with Him and reflect His glory.
Let that echo through every self-doubt and insecurity. The Master of the Universe sent His Son to die and rise again because you are worth it.
This truth is also radical because it means your value doesn’t change. His love is unconditional and abundant. Nothing you or anyone else could say, do, or feel can change how God sees you: as His beloved child who is worth dying for.
Truth 2: Your Purpose Isn’t Merely for Your Pleasure
“Follow your heart” sounds freeing—until it you realize it makes you a slave to cravings, culture, and comparison.
Paul reminds us our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. They aren’t tools for pleasure or self-glory—they’re holy ground. That means what we do with them matters. Our choices, habits, and desires are all things God cares deeply about. He cares because He designed our bodies for something so much more than momentary satisfaction.
Your purpose is not about chasing what feels good. It’s about joining God in the work He is doing in the world. When you see your body as a gift He has given you to be used for His glory, you’ll find more joy and peace than the world could ever promise
Truth 3: Your Role Is Steward, Not Owner
The most peaceful part about embracing God’s ownership of your body is realizing this means you don’t have to be in control.
If He owns it all, then He’s responsible for the outcomes. The highs and lows of your life aren’t all on your shoulders. You get to walk in faithful dependence on the One who sees the whole picture.
Stewarding the gift of your body well means you don’t have to have all the answers. You can obey His commands for how to use your body with the hope and peace that He knows and wants what’s best for you.
Your Body, Like the Rest of You, Was Designed to Honor God
You are not your own. You were bought with a price. And that is really good news.
Because it means you are loved, you are called, and you are held. Let that truth reshape how you see your body, your choices, and your purpose. Not for your glory—but for His.
This post is inspired by the final message of our “What We Believe” sermon series entitled “You Are Not Your Own” by Dr. Jody Ray. Want to explore more about what Christians believe and why it matters? Buy a copy of our book, “What We Believe: Built on the Word, Anchored in Christ.”