“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

“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 honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

What do you think these scriptures have in common? Immediately your mind may think not to abuse your body, like with sex, drugs and alcohol. And this is true, but what about when you add this scripture: “. . . .[S]he is clothed in fine linen and purple” (Proverbs 31:22), describing the clothes that the Proverbs 31 woman wore? Without a doubt, I believe these show us that we should honor God with how our bodies look physically. We need to be well-groomed.

In the Bible, linen and purple were symbols of status. Though people of all classes wore linen, most times when linen was mentioned was in reference to wealthy people. And purple was an expensive dye so this was a color for the wealthy.* What we also see is that the priests of God wore linen and purple, symbols for God’s highest servants. Anyone who has been reading my blog knows that I am not advocating for believers of Jesus Christ to seek wealth or even to fake wealth until we can make wealth. But what I am saying is that we, as priests of God, should do all within our power and means to look put together because we house the almighty God in our bodies. We are hosting Him and He should have a house that is well-groomed; we don’t skimp on cleaning our physical homes when honored guests come. How much more then should we take care of our bodies, the temple of the Holy Ghost, to provide a fine vessel for our Lord?

Sometimes people just don’t care. They say they aren’t trying to impress anybody. Your hair, makeup and wardrobe aren’t to impress anyone but they are to represent the only one who has given you life, and through your representation of Him, you just may draw others to want life in Him. Do your best to look your best. You may just be helping to save a life in the process.

Copyright 2009 by Rhonda J. Smith

*Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (1998), Ryken et. al., eds.