The concept of controlling the body is a significant aspect of Christian conduct, emphasizing the importance of self-discipline, purity, and holiness in the life of a believer. The Bible provides numerous teachings and exhortations on how Christians are to manage their physical bodies in a way that honors God.

Biblical Foundation

1. Temple of the Holy Spirit: The Apostle Paul underscores the sacredness of the believer's body by describing it as a temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple 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 glorify God with your body." This passage highlights the responsibility of Christians to treat their bodies with respect and to use them for God's glory.

2. Living Sacrifice: Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This metaphor of sacrifice implies a continual, active dedication of one's physical being to God's service, rejecting worldly desires and embracing holiness.

3. Fleeing Immorality: The Bible explicitly instructs Christians to flee from sexual immorality, recognizing the unique sin it represents against one's own body. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 , Paul advises, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." This command emphasizes the need for vigilance and proactive measures to maintain purity.

4. Self-Control: Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." The cultivation of self-control is essential for managing bodily desires and impulses, aligning one's actions with God's will.

5. Discipline and Training: The Apostle Paul often uses athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life, emphasizing discipline and training. In 1 Corinthians 9:27 , he states, "No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." This imagery conveys the rigorous effort required to keep the body in check and to live a life that is consistent with the gospel.

Practical Implications

The call to control the body has practical implications for various aspects of life, including diet, exercise, sexual behavior, and overall lifestyle choices. Christians are encouraged to pursue moderation and avoid excess, recognizing that their bodies are instruments for God's work. The pursuit of physical health and well-being is seen as a means to enhance one's ability to serve God and others effectively.

Challenges and Encouragement

While the task of controlling the body can be challenging, believers are encouraged by the promise of divine assistance. Philippians 4:13 offers reassurance: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This verse reminds Christians that they are not alone in their efforts; the strength to maintain control over the body comes from Christ Himself.

In summary, controlling the body is a vital component of Christian conduct, rooted in the understanding that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and a living sacrifice to God. Through self-discipline, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and adherence to biblical teachings, believers are called to honor God with their bodies, reflecting His holiness in every aspect of their lives.1 Corinthians 9:27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Native Christians.
... that they have come under the power of an all-controlling faith, of ... of a marriage
or baptism, and their general conduct was no honour to the Christian name. ...
/.../chapter xxvi native christians.htm

Family Habits.
... All the principles and rules of conduct there introduced ... of all the moral and religious
acts of the Christian. ... God will soon become the controlling habits of ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xvii family habits.htm

The First Delegated General Conference of 1812
... appointed some members of their own body to collect ... the Church, entrusted with a
controlling influence over ... well as their moral and Christian conduct " as it ...
/.../chapter 1 the first delegated.htm

part iii.
... exercise their own energetic and controlling powers. ... consecrate myself, soul and
body, to God ... as an essential branch of Christian conduct, inevitably resulting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part iii.htm

The Gentile Christian Theology. Paul and the Gospel of Faith.
... It affects the will and conduct as well as the ... 808] Here is the whole doctrine of
Christian life: it ... is the indwelling, all-pervading, and controlling life of ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 71 the gentile christian.htm

Sunday after Ascension Day
... be past restraint unless the Word of God may exert some controlling influence among ...
Thus he teaches that the Christian's whole external conduct should be ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after ascension day.htm

Appendix iii in the Hampton Court Conference.
... the King, confident in his powers of controlling the debate ... It was the conduct of
Bishop Bancroft which called ... that they are wise men, and Christian men; some ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/appendix iii in the hampton.htm

Jerusalem
... Does the experience of controlling force which the prophet feels ... it is not found
until the Christian period ... Their conduct at the arrest of Jesus, and the entire ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/ii jerusalem.htm

The Seventh Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans.
... It is a change in the supreme controlling choice of the ... a design to show a general
principle of conduct, and that ... to state the experience of a Christian as an ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/the seventh chapter of the.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... that Paul recognizes faith as the controlling judge and ... Note, then, the conduct of
the Church orders ... authority to the most insignificant Christian with faith ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

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