Through The Bible in a Year - January 13, 2026

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?" – 1 Corinthians 6:19

In Flannery O'Connor's short story, a nun warns her students: "Girls, your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit." Most of the girls mock and laugh as they leave. But one young woman—already used and hurt by boys—walks apart from the others with tears of joy and whispers, "My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I have been designed by God to receive and to reflect His glory."

Our secular culture says, "Fate, not God, has given us this flesh, so we may do with it as we see fit." It sounds freeing, but it leads to endless questioning: Am I okay? Do I measure up? The comparison game never ends.

But God has a different message: Your body is not raw material to use, abuse, or neglect as you see fit. You are designed with purpose, with order, with intention. You are made in God's image to reflect His glory.

This doesn't mean you're perfect or that your body won't face challenges in a fallen world. But it does mean you are precious, purposeful, and designed to be a dwelling place for God's Spirit.

Respond: How do you view your body? As something to criticize and fix? As a tool to gain approval? Or as a temple designed by God? Today, thank God for creating you with purpose and ask Him to help you steward your body as something sacred.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the ways I've mistreated, neglected, or despised the body You gave me. Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, designed to be Your temple. Help me honor You with my body—not from shame or comparison, but from gratitude and worship. In Jesus' name, amen.