“Much of the misery in our Christian life comes not because the devil tackles us, but because we have never understood the simple laws of our make-up. We have to treat the body as the servant of Jesus Christ: when the body says “Sit,” and He says “Go,” go! When the body says “Eat,” and He says “Fast,” fast! When the body says “Yawn,” and He says “Pray,” pray!”

-Oswald Chambers

Your body is not your own. 

Though you have been given free will by God to do with your body as you please, it is not HIS will, plan, and purpose that you live selfishly and with recklessness. To be driven by what pleases your body assumes the body is the head of your life, separate from your spirit and mind. But when you make Jesus the head of your life, you can experience a peace that cannot be attained through anyone, anything, or anywhere else. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

We can’t put full confidence and trust in what the body desires as being good for us, as God sees it. Therefore we need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide our mind and spirit daily. Once we submit our mind and spirit to Him, our body will follow. 

As Oswald Chambers said above, when the body says “Sit,” and Jesus Christ says “Go,” then go. Our bodies usually want to do what’s most desirable and comfortable. It leans toward complacency, and wants no hardship, strain, or difficulty. But usually Jesus will call us to do the uncomfortable. In times of adversity and strain, that’s when we grow spiritually. And that’s the point of our lives: to be broken down and molded into the image of Christ through adversity and obedience. 

You may say, “I want to do what I want. This is my life.” 

When it comes to giving our bodies the proper nutrition, and avoiding those foods that tear it down, many say, “I’ll eat and drink what I want. No one will tell me what I can do or not do.” 

This is similar to living righteously before God. Many believe that religion is control and manipulation of people, and therefore they will shun God and His Word. “No one or no god will tell me what to do,” they say. “I’ll live the way I want. My life is MY truth.” It’s deceptive thinking. For if you’re not surrendering yourself to Christ, you’re surrendering yourself to the enemy. 

Out of the unlimited love that God has for you, you’ve been given that choice by Him. You didn’t choose to have the choice. He allowed you to have the choice, for true love is allowing someone else the choice to love you or not. When you choose not to submit yourself to Him- mind, body, and spirit, then your life will have been a waste. Doing and building what you wanted without regard to doing God’s will for your life will burn up after your last breath. 

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)