By the Spirit – The Presidential Prayer Team

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

If you ever tried to lose weight, you know there are a multitude of diets all explaining why other diets do not work, but this particular one does. It can be very confusing. As temples of the Holy Spirit, believers are exhorted to care for and keep their bodies in shape to glorify God. But those who struggle with their health and weight find it no easy thing to do.

Paul addresses the Corinthians about food dedicated to idols. He said that as a follower of Christ, free from the law, he can eat anything with a free conscience. However, if he knew that food was dedicated to idols, he would not eat it as a testimony of his faithfulness to the Lord. The apostle’s concern was for those who did not know the Lord. He did not want to encourage them in idol worship and unbelief. In today’s verse, he urges you in your choices, whether of food and drink or anything else you do, to do it to the glory of God.

At this time of the year, many started a diet but could be struggling now and may have even abandoned it altogether. If you are one of the millions of Americans in this situation, remember your right standing with God is because of what Jesus did on the cross. Press into Him. Fill up on His Holy Spirit and His Word. Ask Him to help you eat in such a way that brings honor to the Lord with your temple. Pray for citizens and government leaders who struggle with addictions to find their freedom in Christ.

Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:1-11

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ²For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. ³For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ⁶For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. ⁸Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ¹⁰But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.