"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16 & 17 ESV)
For the follower of Jesus Christ, we are the living temple of the living Holy Spirit of the living God. We need to take good care of the temple. Consequences of not caring for His temple are destructive.
Does it sound harsh and unloving of God to destroy the one who is not caring for His temple? It may, but just think about it. If a person who professes to be a child of God continually drinks him or herself into oblivion, hurtling themselves into alcoholism, and all its fallout in family, friends and work, not to mention their own bodies, is this not destructive? How can you blame God for that?
God does not stop the natural processes of a body that chooses such out-of-control behavior. It's not His fault when the temple of the Holy Spirit gets destroyed. However, God is always sensitive to those who come to Him admitting their wrongs and in repentance seek His forgiveness. This He freely gives.
Repentance implies that there will be change for the better. When an alcoholic 'dries out,' his body will begin to recover although there may have been some permanent damage to the liver and other potential detriments. Scars, so to speak.
Similarly, eating disorders do damage. Actually, I don't know much about bulimia and anorexia. It's new groundbreaking for me so if I say anything wrong here, please diplomatically correct me.
What surprized me of what I recently learned about these disorders, is that they are 'addictive behavior'. Addictive in the same sense that drugs and alcohol can be and yes, with destructiveness to the body and therefore, for the Christian, the temple of the Holy Spirit.
At first I thought, why did Harold J. Sala write in his chapter on Addictive Behavior, about bulimia and anorexia! But as I read I came to undersand why - a little.
In his book Counseling Friends in Need, Sala says that if such a friend in need comes to you sharing about her (or his) problem with bulimia or anorexia know that this person will need professional help.
There are some things you can do though to help support your friends. One is to help your friend
"realize the seriousness of the problem".
This means you may need to do research about the damage to the body and mind and certainly read up about it, in general.
Next would be to guide and help support this person as she gets help. You may be her person to hold her accountable as she strives to overcome.
So as you guide and support her, help her seek that professional help needed. Perhaps finding that professional, getting an appointment, giving rides and such. These may be welcome help.
Over all, prayer. Seeking dependance upon the Lord, and His care. He's the one to love her best. Your giving unconditional love, not condemning her, your empathy and listening ears could go a long way to helping your bulimic or anorexic friend recover better and sooner.
Sala explained that bulimia is when a person gorges on food and then self-induces vomiting. Anorexia is self-induced starvation.
If you look up these two eating disorders on the Better Health Channel, the Mayo Clinic and/or the NHS, you'll see the devastating effects and damage that can occur to one's body. Such a list may include: dental problems, osteoparosis, severe dehydration, heart problems, low BP, swollen ankles, malnourishment, and even at times, seizures, are among the few effects of bodily destruction. Mental health can certainly become unstable, I read.
Such people will definitely need professional help and care! However, having a friend go along the journey to overcoming with the living God's help will go a long way towards improved health both physically and mentally, slowing the destruction of the living temple of the living Holy Spirit.
Father God, I cry out to you for overcoming help for my friend _________, who struggles with bulimia/anorexia. She (He) knows it's wrong and a sin against You. Also that it is destructive to Your Holy Spirit's temple. She has repented and wants to live in a healthy way both physically and mentally. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who helps her. May she and all others who suffer from these eating disorders have victory in and through Christ.
Bless all their efforts towards this end until Jesus comes because she belongs to Christ and what is His is Yours. In Jesus' name I beseech you. Amen.
~ERC March 2025 ~
Based on 1 Corinthians 3:16 & 17; Romans 12:1-2 ESV. Also Harold J. Sala's book, Counseling Friends in Need, Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior, pgs 197-200.
Memorize: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.and Romans 12:1-2.
Sing, Day After Day, Jesus Reigns, along with City Alight.
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