The Physical Body
In God’s plan human beings cannot exist apart from their physical body. When the body perishes, the mind also ceases to function. There is no intelligence that continues to live after the physical being dies. But during the lifetime of an individual there exists a close relationship between the working of the body and the mind. Because of this relationship, and because God is the Creator and owner of the whole man, He is intensely interested in what men do with their bodies. For the most part, the Bible deals with principles rather than with details in this matter, although there are a few specific commands and prohibitions.APAY 86.8
Temple: 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”APAY 87.1
Subject to Mind: 1 Corinthians 9:27. “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection.”APAY 87.2
Mind Affects Body: Proverbs 17:22. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”APAY 87.3
Care of Body:APAY 87.4
Eating 1 Corinthians 10:31. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”APAY 87.5
Deuteronomy 14:3. “Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”APAY 87.6
Drinking. 1 Corinthians 10:31. “Do all to the glory of God.”APAY 87.7
Proverbs 20:1. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging.”APAY 87.8
Dressing. 1 Peter 3:3, 4. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, ... even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.”APAY 87.9
Medical care and sanitation. Deuteronomy 24:8. Levites gave instruction.APAY 88.1
Leviticus 13 to 15. Instruction for the diagnosis of certain diseases and how the patient should be dealt with.APAY 88.2
Leviticus 13:54, 57. Washing or burning for cleansing.APAY 88.3
Leviticus 15:13. Running water for cleansing.APAY 88.4
Isaiah 38:21. Fig poultice suggested for Hezekiah’s boil.APAY 88.5
Leviticus 15:5, 6, 9-12. Methods of contamination.APAY 88.6
Leviticus 13:46. Isolation.APAY 88.7
Few specific remedies and few details as to the proper food and clothing of the body are given in the Bible, but fundamental principles are indicated. These principles may be adapted to the age and condition of people anywhere. With the prompting of the Holy Spirit, who will guide men “into all truth,” it is not difficult to apply Scriptural principles to the individual life or to the life of the church.APAY 88.8