Wednesday: Mind/Body Relationships
The ancient Greeks taught a form of dualism; that is, they believed that there was a great distinction between our bodies and our souls.
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
In contrast, Scripture teaches that human beings are an integrated unit of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Whatever affects one part of the human frame affects all parts. The disciples taught that physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health were interconnected and could not be separated.
How is this idea reflected in 1 Thessalonians 5:23?
For the New Testament believers, physical, mental and emotional well-being is indissolubly linked to spiritual well-being. The apostle Paul appealed to believers to “glorify God in their bodies.” He believed that all humanity was bought with a price and we are not our own (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Caring for our bodies by adopting a more healthful lifestyle does much more than add a few more years to our lives; done with the right motives, it can be an act of worship itself.
How do Romans 12:2-3; John 10:10; and 1 Corinthians 10:31 show the intimate relationship between our physical and spiritual health?
The Holy Spirit does not limit Himself to one aspect of our lives when He convicts us of our need for growth. Reformation is not one-dimensional. The Spirit longs to bring our lives into total conformity to the will of Christ in every area. If there are physical lifestyle practices not in harmony with His will, God invites us to surrender them for His glory. Satan wants to control our minds through our bodies; Jesus longs to control our bodies through our minds. Our bodies are a temple, not a funhouse. By following heaven’s principles we can live more joy-filled, productive, abundant, healthy lives.
What are the personal experiences that have shown you just how inseparable the link is between our physical and spiritual natures? What choices can you make to help to bring them into more beneficial harmony?
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Taking care of my physical health helps me think more clearly. I can draw closer to God when I have energy and I am not over-tired. I can choose to eat healthfully, get sunshine and fresh air outdoors, get exercise and enough rest and sleep. These simple basics of life bring health to the body, mind and emotions!
There is definitely a connection between the mind and the body, and whatever affects one affects the other. How careful Christians must be to have lifestyles that honor God and make the mind pure and holy for God's service. How important it is to eat healthy food, exercise, drink pure water, and sleep right. The human body is God's temple and we can honor God through having a healthy lifestyle. When our mind and body are healthy then our spirituality will increase and the image of God will be seen in us.
Romans 12:2,3, John 10:10, 1 Corinthians 10:31 clearly points out that junk food is not the road to take for a mind bent on eternal thinking. Exercise clears the mind and increases seratonin. Thus befuddling of the mind resolves.
I loved this message. This weekly has a perfect subject about what I have to change in my life. Especially, how I care for my body and my spiritual life. These lessons are going to improve my concepts about a healthier lifestyle.
By eating healthy food and exercising can pospone your death