Lord, I must develop a proper theology of the body. We Christians are prone to think of our bodies as “houses of the soul” and, to an extent, we are right. But our bodies are also “battlefields of destiny.” The parable of the dispossessed spirit makes this clear (Matthew 12:43-45). The aim (I might say “passion”) of Satan is to possess our bodies as vehicles for carrying out his purposes in this world. So intense is this desire that he calls our bodies “my house” (v. 44).
But God also has designs upon my body. He needs my flesh and bones for carrying out His purposes in this world (Romans 12:1–2). He needs to indwell me just as much as Satan does, otherwise His program will fail. So an intense struggle goes on ceaselessly over the possession of our bodies. Even when Satan is thrown out of us, nevertheless he seeks to reenter; and, if necessary, he brings reinforcements to get the job done (Matthew 12:44–45).
There is no middle ground in this battle for my body. Either God or Satan is in control at any given moment. The control by one displaces the control by the other. The kingdom of one is enhanced or retarded by the control he has over our bodies. In a sense our bodies are little “Mount Calvarys” where the conflict still rages, not to decide who is victor, but whether His victory is going to be maintained in us.
Like it or not, I am in the midst of battle. I cannot excuse myself from it. I must enter it by an act of my will; Jesus Christ is the Savior of my body (Ephesians 5:23). That Savior is able to “sanctify [me] entirely … spirit and soul and body [and keep me] preserved complete, without blame at [His] coming… . Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Daily with the King 