A.      The keynote message for this series comes from 1Timothy 4:7-8 – "…Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

                                                             1.      In the first lesson of this series, we noticed that all Christians believe that godliness holds promise "for the life to come,” but many do not recognize the benefits of godliness "for the present life.”

                                                             2.      As a result, many Christians consult the Bible only for spiritual matters while ignoring its wealth of wisdom and advice for everyday, practical living.  Such Christians are in disbelief that godliness is profitable for all things, and they suffer for it.

                                                             3.      Let us remember that godliness is the quality of being directed by God, whether it is in spiritual matters or temporal matters.  To be godly altogether, we must be directed by God’s word in all things.

B.      In this lesson and the next, we will apply our keynote message to the topic of the physical body.  Our goal in these two lessons is to learn how we may gain the profit "for the present life” in our physical bodies that comes by the practice of godliness.

                                                             1.      To have good health is a godly ambition, for even the apostle John wrote, "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3John 2).

                                                             2.      To obtain this profit in our physical bodies, let us look to the Author of life through His word.  There are no guarantees that we will be completely healthy, but our physical bodies will certainly be benefited by following God’s word.

II.      SIN, HEALTH, AND THE PHYSICAL BODY

A.      To begin, it is important that we understand the cause of all health problems, which is sin.

                                                             1.      From the first commission of sin by Adam, the whole world has been drastically affected by sin’s consequences.

a.       "The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), both spiritually and physically.  While spiritual death comes to each soul when it sins (Ezek. 18:4; Eph. 2:1-3), physical death has spread to all men as a consequence of Adam’s sin (Rom. 5:12).

b.       With the consequence of death has come all the afflictions that lead to death – age, suffering, sickness, disease, injury, etc.

c.        Notice Romans 8:20-23 – "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.”

                                                             2.      Let us understand this clearly: It is not that every illness, disease, injury, etc. comes as a direct result and punishment for an individual’s sin, for even the innocent can suffer (see John 9:1-3).  Rather it is that these conditions exist as a consequence of the corruption that now exists in the world because of sin.

                                                             3.      This understanding is important because it will help us endure our physical ailments in a godly way.  Understanding that sin is to blame for our suffering will prevent us from finding fault with God and will cause us to trust in Him for physical and spiritual strength.  "You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.” (Ps. 115:11)

B.      If a failure to comply with God’s word led to all the suffering, sickness, and disease in the world, then surely complying with God’s word will lead us away from these conditions.

                                                             1.      Do not misunderstand – age, declining health, and death are inevitable in this world (see Ps. 90:10; Eccl. 12:1-8; Heb. 9:27).  However, God’s word gives us guidance so that we may minimize the suffering of this life.

                                                             2.      Notice Proverbs 4:20-22 – "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.  Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart.  For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body.”

                                                             3.      Ultimately, the faithful practice of godliness will lead to a complete triumph over death, age, sickness, and disease.  This will be accomplished through Christ in the resurrection (Rom. 8:37-39; 1Cor. 15:51-58).

C.      God’s word instructs Christians to consider their physical bodies as members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit.

                                                             1.      Notice these messages from 1Corinthians 6:12-20 – "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” (v. 15); "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?  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (vv. 19-20)

                                                             2.      As members of the body of Christ, it is an offense against Christ to use our physical bodies in any sinful way, for then we abuse the body of Christ.

                                                             3.      Likewise, as temples of the Holy Spirit, we must use our physical bodies only in ways that are reverent toward the Spirit of God who dwells within us (Rom. 8:9-11; Eph. 2:19-22).

                                                             4.      The correct, spiritual attitude toward the physical body is essential for reaping the profit of godliness in our physical bodies.  If we view our bodies as members of Christ’s body and holy temples for the Holy Spirit, then we will not abuse them or misuse them.

D.      Those who do not have the proper, spiritual view of the physical body will suffer the physical toll of sin.

                                                             1.      Those who use their physical bodies as vessels of ungodly pleasure and sow to the flesh will from the flesh reap corruption (Gal. 6:7-8).  The law of sowing and reaping is immutable.

                                                             2.      Sin is a hard road to travel, and those walk in sin will suffer the providential hardships of sin even in this life.  Notice the following verses from Proverbs:

a.       "The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.” (Prov. 3:33)

b.       "The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, but He will reject the craving of the wicked.” (Prov. 10:3)

c.        "What the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.” (Prov. 10:24)

d.       "When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.” (Prov. 10:25)

e.        "Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.” (Prov. 11:21)

f.        "He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.” (Prov. 11:27)

g.        "Will they not go astray who devise evil?  But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.” (Prov. 14:22)

h.       "He who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.” (Prov. 17:13)

i.         "Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and blows for the back of fools.” (Prov. 19:29)

j.         "A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.” (Prov. 21:16)

k.       "He who sows iniquity will reap vanity, and the rod of his fury will perish.” (Prov. 22:8)

                                                             3.      Consider a few Scriptural messages regarding the physical toll of specific sins:

a.       Criminals will receive a just and harsh punishment from the civil government, including death for those who deserve it (Gen. 9:6; Prov. 28:17; Rom. 13:3-4; 1Pet. 4:15).

b.       Liars will not endure (Prov. 12:19), will not avoid their punishment (Prov. 19:5), and will lose their treasures (Prov. 17:20; 21:6).

c.        Drunkards and alcoholics receive poverty, woe, sorrow, contentions, complaining, wounds without cause, redness of eyes, impaired judgment, and sickness (Prov. 20:1; 23:19-21, 29-35; Hos. 7:5).

d.       Adulterers and fornicators suffer wounds, disgrace, poverty, and death (Prov. 2:16-18; 5:1-6; 6:23-7:27; 29:3).

e.        Homosexuals’ bodies are dishonored, and they will receive "in their own persons the due penalty of their error” (Rom. 1:24, 26-27).  In days past, they were rightly classified with criminals ("crimes against nature”) and punished accordingly (Lev. 20:13).

***We will continue these thoughts in Lesson 3 – Profit in the Physical Body: Part 2.***