“The Temple Within: What Are We Feeding?”
A Grace Journal Reflection on the Body, the Spirit, and the Struggle with the Flesh
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?”
— 1 Corinthians 6:19
“It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out…”
— Matthew 15:11
We all wrestle with the flesh in some form. For some, it’s food. For others, substances. For others, it’s lust, laziness, or chasing pleasure as a way to escape. And it’s easy to justify what we allow in our lives — especially when others are doing the same.
Recently, my brother and I had a heartfelt conversation about what it means to honor God with our bodies. We agreed that we should be mindful — but we didn’t fully agree on what that looks like.
He holds tightly to Old Testament dietary instructions. Clean and unclean foods. The Levitical list of what not to eat.
And I respect that.
But I’m also standing on the words of Jesus, who reminded us:
“It is not what enters the mouth that defiles a man, but what proceeds out of the mouth…” (Matthew 15:11)
Because what comes out — anger, lies, selfishness, gossip, rebellion — those are the symptoms of a deeper disease. One that’s only cured when the Holy Spirit presides within us.
💭 So What Does It Mean to Honor the Temple?
It’s not just about what we eat or don’t eat.
It’s about what rules us.
Is it sugar?
Is it alcohol?
Is it weed or pills?
Is it compulsive eating or constant neglect of rest?
Anything we consume to numb, avoid, or replace God is a flesh trap.
Even if it’s legal. Even if it’s socially acceptable. Even if it “tastes good.”
✍🏽 Note:
My brother is also walking out his faith — and I thank God for that.
We don’t always see everything the same, especially when it comes to things like what we should or shouldn’t eat.
He’s committed to the Old Testament dietary instructions, and I’ve been standing on what Jesus said — that it’s not what enters the mouth that defiles, but what comes out (Matthew 15:11).
But what I love is that we can open the Word together, challenge each other, and sharpen one another in love. None of us have it all figured out — but when the Spirit leads, He draws us closer to truth and to each other.
And here’s what I keep coming back to in my own walk:
We carry God’s Spirit inside of us. That’s not symbolic — it’s literal.
So every time I reach for something that comforts me more than Christ, I have to pause and ask:
“Is this honoring the temple — or polluting it?”
This isn’t about fear. It’s about reverence.
Not just, “Is this allowed?”
But, “Is this wise? Is this helping or hurting my purpose?”
📖 Scripture Support:
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 – Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit… therefore glorify God in your body.
Romans 8:13 – If you live according to the flesh, you will die… but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Galatians 5:16 – Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
🛐 Prayer Prompt:
Holy Spirit, You live in me. Give me discernment in what I consume — not just food, but media, thoughts, influences. Convict me when I’m leaning on something other than You. Help me honor You in my body and bring every part of me under Your Lordship.
📓 Journal Prompt:
What am I consuming that dulls my sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?
Am I convicted about something but still making excuses?
How can I better honor God with my body — not just in diet, but in devotion?
🌿 Final Whisper:
This is not about rules — it’s about reverence.
It’s not about guilt — it’s about awareness.
When you realize that God dwells inside you, it changes how you live outside.
