Last Updated on July 10, 2024
Most of us have heard that our body is God’s temple and that good physical health is important. But how does our physical body impact our spiritual life? And how can you know what God says about your body? Here’s what God’s Word says straight from the Bible about our body image.
A few months after giving birth to my son, I realized it was going to take a little work to get my body, mind, everything back to the way it used to be.
After 9 months of carrying around another human being, nothing seemed to be quite the same as it was before. Most of my old wardrobe was a little too tight. My hair seemed a little more fragile. I couldn’t run for quite as long as I used to. And don’t get me started on when I couldn’t fit into my favorite pair of jeans.
Then over time, I learned to love my new body. I got to a place where I felt comfortable and confident again. And then we got pregnant with my daughter!
3 years later, I still can’t wrestle occasionally with missing that old body, the one who ran 5 miles like it was nothing. The one who shopped in the junior section without blinking an eye.
But over time, God has been teaching me how to celebrate this new body with a joyful heart. He’s been reminding me that my own body is still the temple of the Holy Spirit, whether it’s a size 0 or a size 10.
If you’ve gone through seasons of struggle with accepting the body you’re in, please know you’re not alone, and that even in this season, there is encouragement for you in God’s Word.
Let’s dive into God’s Word together and see exactly what does God say about your body.
What does the Bible say about our bodies?
As women, our bodies can be a constant source of insecurity, comparison, and dissatisfaction. We obsess over every flaw and strive for an impossible standard of perfection. But what does God say about our bodies?
The Bible tells us that our bodies aren’t just vessels for physical existence. Instead, our bodies are sacred creations made in the image of God Himself.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, it says,
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
In Romans 12:1 we read,
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Our bodies don’t just carry us to work each day and back home again. God created our bodies to literally be temples! They are dwelling places of the Holy Spirit and a reflection of our Creator.
Your body, no matter how it looks and feels right now, was created by God to bring Him glory and to show off the amazing way that He creates. Friend, our bodies are esssentially instruments for worshipping God! When we think about ourselves this way, our perspective on everything from whether we exercise to how we dress will start to change.
When we spend time really digging into the Word of God (instead of just scrolling social media… guilty!), we’re reminded that our worth and value aren’t defined by society’s standards or our own insecurities. Instead, we are beloved daughters of God, created by His perfect hand.
What does God say about our body image?
So many of us struggled with body image in our younger years. But what’s often not talked about is how for many of us, this struggle continues well into adulthood, too.
I know that God made me, and that what He made is good. But sometimes I struggle to hear HIS voice and what He says about me over the lies of the enemy.
Oh, how our hearts ache as we compare ourselves to the unrealistic standards plastered across magazines and our social media feeds. But what does God say about our body image?
1. You are fearfully and wonderfully made
If we get quiet enough to listen, God whispers to us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). God longs for us to see ourselves as He sees us, made on purpose and in His image.
I love what David says in Psalm 139:13-15…
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.”
These Bible verses are a beautiful reminder to us that when God created us, He created good things! Everything about your body, from the way your hair falls around your face to the love handles and the wrinkles around your eyes, God knows them all! Your whole body was made for the glory of God and if you are still alive, it is still created for that purpose.
You were made uniquely by the hands of our loving Creator. You are a masterpiece crafted with intention and purpose.
2. Our value is not in our outward appearance
When Samuel started looking for a new king for Israel in 1 Samuel 16, there was nothing about David that made him seem like He was the one to lead God’s people. But the voice of the Lord set Samuel straight, challenging him to not just look at the way that things appeared.
But the Lord said to Samuel,
“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
Not to mention, have you ever read this description of Jesus in Isaiah 53?
“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” – Isaiah 53:2-3
Based on what we read in God’s Word, what we look like holds no weight in how loved we are or in God’s ability to use us in this present life.
So why are we so obsessed with the way we appear to others?
God has always used imperfect people, people who may have been looked over, who don’t have every hair perfectly in place. Regardless of all this, you are still God’s precious creation. Every curve, every freckle, every imperfection is a reflection of His infinite beauty and creativity. Instead of criticizing and comparing, let’s celebrate the unique masterpiece that is YOU.
I know that we live in a world that bombards us with unrealistic standards and unattainable ideals, and part of being human is dealing with the insecurities and doubts that will sometimes come. But take heart. God sees the true beauty within us. He sees the genuine love we have for others, the kindness in our hearts, and the light that shines from within.
Our worth is not defined by society’s standards but by the unfathomable love of our Heavenly Father.
Let’s bask in the knowledge that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And let’s walk confidently, knowing that we carry the beauty and love of our Creator within us everywhere we go.
How should you treat your body according to the Bible?
While we don’t need to obsess about our appearance and looking a certain way, God has given us guidance on how to treat our bodies with love, respect, and honor.
Because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, it’s important for us to live healthy lives, remaining pure and ready to be used for God’s glory.
1. Nourish your body well: First, we should care for our bodies by nourishing them with wholesome foods that provide sustenance and energy. Remember, our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and we have a responsibility to honor God with how we fuel and care for them.
2. Get active: Now I know this is a tough one, especially as a crazy busy mom. But when we can, let’s cherish our bodies through regular exercise and bodily training. Engaging in physical fitness that strengthen our bodies not only has many health benefits but also cultivates gratitude for the incredible abilities God has given us. Bonus points: Getting active gives you another built in way to spend quality time with your kids!
3. Make time for rest: Treating our bodies well also extends beyond the physical. In the same way that God prioritized rest in Creation, we should also practice Sabbath in our everyday lives. How can you make little changes to focus on rest and self-care in your life? How can you make space to give some attention to your mental and emotional well-being when you need it?
4. Watch your influences: Last but definitely not least, we have to guard our hearts and minds from negative influences that would try to diminish our worth. If you’re hanging out with a group of people that are a bad influence on you, if you’re watching TV shows that fill your mind with garbage, if you pick up bad habits from the people around you, all this can reflect in your body. Watch your influences and choose wisely how you spend your time!
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23
Here are a few other key Bible verses that relate to our body image:
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8
In a world that tries to strip us of our confidence and instill doubt, let’s remember that as followers of Christ, our identity is found in God alone. In God and His Word we find direction for not only how to live in our bodies, but for how to operate in joy and peace in the word. Your body is a vessel for God’s light to shine through you, and as we honor and care for them, we can reflect His love to the world.
Now let’s walk around today with our chins just a little higher, moms. Let’s interact with our family and friends with more biblical perspective and renewed confidence, embracing the truth that our bodies are God’s temples, and treat them with the love and respect they deserve.
