Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (IThes 5:23)

Be healthy body, soul, and spirit.

We understanding that salvation saves our spirit man because our bodies will die. But we’re also supposed to be blameless and sanctified in our physical bodies and our minds. That goes against “spiritual” teaching that says that our bodies don’t matter, and knowledge of the world is useless to spiritual things.

Paul says that bodily exercise profits little, he didn’t say it profits nothing. Going to a conference to be touched by God and then eating a bag of cookies by yourself does not show that you’ve attained any self-control that is an aspect of the Holy Spirit. Maintaining a diet that promotes sickness and disease is ungodly by anyone’s standards.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m don’t believe in swinging to the opposite extreme of only eating raw food and carrot juice. There’s nothing wrong with that, if you like that sort of thing, but it’s not a substitute for common sense. Taking care of your body includes eating well and getting enough exercise to stay healthy. Abusing your body, then asking for prayer doesn’t honor God.

We are also called to have a sanctified mind. What we watch on TV matters. Who’s message it is to kill, steal, and destroy? It’s not God’s. So why do we promote entertainment that clearly goes against the kingdom of God?

If we don’t understand the world of politics, education, or the media, how will we affect change? Those who are blessed in the area of higher education are in a position to bring the kingdom into areas that God wants to take back. I believe there is a lot of truth to be discovered by pressing into all areas of study. A spiritual mind will hear God and learn what other’s can’t.

There is a path that God has set before us that includes living healthy with renewed minds. Body, soul, and spirit are joined together and all part of presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. (Rom 12:1) It is a form of worship to present our whole self to God. We are created in His image, so our bodies and minds matter to Him as much as our spirits.