ESTABLISHING BODY BOUNDARIES
AN USEFUL VESSEL
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The LACK of DILIGENCE can become the problem. When you are moving, creating, developing, or following a NEW lifestyle it is important to be diligent in order for that lifestyle to BECOME a “FIRM” way of life. Diligence ATTACHES desired boundaries to the NEW lifestyle. Being diligent about body boundaries is what HELPS you set guidelines in regard to how you CARE for or treat your own physical body.
Being diligent about your body boundaries will assist in establishing your behaviors about eating, exercising, emotional care, and rest. Body boundaries will ensure that your body will also be mutually GOOD to you by staying healthy, energetic, and useful during your earthly visit.
Putting into place CLEAR body boundaries is the FOUNDATION for keeping and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between you and your physical life. Body boundaries are linked to self-esteem and reveals how you personally CARE about your physical life.
You will establish your OWN body boundaries, which will reveal, even to yourself, what behaviors you have put into place that SAYS I care about my physical life. If YOU are uncomfortable about your physical life, it may be time to establish some body boundaries that will make you feel more comfortable with your physical life.
No or weak body boundaries leave you vulnerable to sickness, weight gain, lack of muscles, increased fat cells, unhealthy eating, uncontrollable eating, emotional eating, habitual eating, and disrespect, loathing, disdain, criticism, judgment, and disappointment toward your physical life. You have chosen to take your physical life for granted and you have chosen to damage it in the way you have.
Your physical life is a GIFT from God and deserves to be TREATED with kindness and respect. Body boundaries will PROTECT you and anyone else from exploiting your physical life through mistreatment, misuse, or abuse. Body boundaries help establish behaviors that ACT or DO things that are in the BEST interest of your physical life. To establish body boundaries, with God’s help, God’s people need to KNOW the importance and purpose of their physical life. When Jesus came to earth a BODY was prepared for him. “...But You have prepared a body for Me...” (Hebrews 10:5-7 NASB).
Jesus needed the BODY in order to carry out God’s purpose, for his life, upon earth. “...The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations...” (Jeremiah 1:4-5 NASB). God KNEW each SOUL before they came into the WORLD or before they were FORMED in their mother’s womb. That soul was ALREADY sanctified and SET APART for God’s purpose. Thus, the BODY is just a VESSEL for the SOUL to USE to carry out their God-given assignments upon earth.
When a person is SAVED then their BODY also becomes a TEMPLE for the Holy Spirit and the anointing that NOW dwells within them. “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?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). The BODY of God’s people belong to Him, the indwelling Holy Spirit and God USES that BODY, while they’re upon the earth, to DISPLAY his GLORY by revealing his presence, his goodnesses, and his working POWER through them.
“...Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body...” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NASB).
The BODY, thus, is a vessel for God, the Holy Spirit and the soul, which becomes a LIVING SOUL when reconciled to one another through Jesus, is able to EXPRESS, REVEAL, and DEMONSTRATE God’s attributes to the world in order to RECONCILE mankind BACK into a loving, covenant relationship with HIM.
“...You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies...” (1 Corinthians 6:13 NASB). “...You know the old saying, “First you eat to live, and then you live to eat”? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that’s no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body!...” (1 Corinthians 6:13 NLT). Without the BODY being in GOOD shape and USABLE the purpose of God CAN NOT be fulfilled or achieved. BODY boundaries HELP God’s people take CARE of their physical life and the God, the Holy Spirit through Jesus, his WORD, will HELP them do it.
Body boundaries help God’s people preserve their physical life in order to fulfill HIS purpose and give HIM GLORY! Once you UNDERSTAND the body’s purpose is NOT sexual immorality or improper eating behavior you can start deciding on what guidelines need to be established to set BODY boundaries NECESSARY for your physical care. Ask yourself what are the things you personally do to SABATAGE your efforts. Make a list and take action. Line each of those actions up with God’s WORD. For instance, if you notice you eat uncontrollably and need limits, but can’t stop.
The Word of God encourages you to ...resist the devil and he will flee from you...” “....walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh...” or “....bring your BODY under submission...” to God’s WORD. This does not require SELF-EFFORT, but making a CHOICE to TRUST and DEPEND upon God to do these things “in” and “through” you. “…Now GOD GIVES [his people] many kinds of special abilities … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… The ... Holy Spirit ... is the source of ... all ... [special abilities]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…There are different kinds of service to God …but it is the same GOD WHO “DOES” THE WORK IN AND THROUGH ... [his people]... who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The Holy Spirit “displays” God’s power THROUGH each [new creation]… … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…It is the ... Holy Spirit who gives [his people]... all these gifts and powers, deciding which each one of [them] should have… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… [Because of God’s presence, God’s people are] ... ...NEW creature[s] …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…old things are passed away…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…ALL THINGS are become NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…God has given [his people] HIS [HOLY] ...Spirit as PROOF that … he [dwells]…in [them]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT “…God … SENT forth the Spirit of His Son (the WORD of God, who is SPIRIT) “INTO” [their]… HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).
“…The Spirit of God dwell[s] in [his people. They are reconciled to God, restored to his SPIRIT, and made WHOLE again)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… [The SPIRIT]... liveth in [his people]…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). “…[Therefore, his people]... can do all things through Christ (the word of God) which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “… [God, the Holy Spirit] grant[s]… [his people]… to be strengthened with might by his [holy] ... Spirit in the inner man (woman)…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “… The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] [his people]... with everything good for doing his will, and …work[s] in [them]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…NOW UNTO [THE WORD OF GOD, who is SPIRIT]... THAT IS “ABLE” TO DO… according to the [HOLY]... POWER that worketh in [his people]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).
God will HELP his people succeed in making BODY boundaries and KEEPING them in order to be in GOOD, EXCELLENT health. God’s people have God’s WORD, God’s indwelling POWER, and human will to choose to TRUST and DEPEND upon HIM. Once God OPENS up the WAY to HELP you with KEEPING your physical health it is up to you to BE DILIGENT about keeping the commandments he gives you.
“...The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness...” (Proverbs 21:5 NASB). Diligence is PERSISTENT, careful, energetic work or effort. Diligent people DON’T QUIT. They are faithful even when it hurts. “...the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. …Such people will stand firm forever…” (Psalms 15 NLT). God’s people persistently TRUST and DEPEND upon his HOLY WORD daily in order to serve God’s purpose, to be strengthened with his might, and enabled to continually keep his commandments.
Getting LAZY about TRUSTING and DEPENDING upon God, daily, derails and sabotages the diligent work it takes to KEEP and MAINTAIN body boundaries. Diligence shows a person takes full responsibility in keeping and putting their VESSEL or BODY in God’s loving care. Without being diligence about body boundaries, the care for the physical life is NOT served, has no direction, and disrupts its God-given purpose.
Body boundaries to KEEP the physical life in GOOD SHAPE should be intentional in order to serve the DIVINE purposes that God’s people sent them to earth TO DO. Diligence is a GOOD practice for God’s people on a daily basis period, but especially for body boundaries. Becoming diligent in body boundaries will have GOOD, POSITIVE and ADVANTAGED results.
“...the hand of the diligent maketh rich...” (Proverbs 10:4 NASB). “...Diligence makes wealth...” (Proverbs 10:4 MSG). “...hard workers get rich...” (Proverbs 10:4 MSG). “...the soul of the diligent shall be made fat...” (Proverbs 13:4 NASB). “...the energetic have something to show for their lives...” (Proverbs 13:4 MSG). “... those who work hard will prosper...” (Proverbs 13:4 NLT). “...The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness...” (Proverbs 21:5 NASB). “...Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity...” (Proverbs 21:5 NLT). “...Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run...” (Proverbs 21:5 MSG).
Diligent people are the ones who will WORK HARD at putting and keeping their BODY boundaries in place by TRUSTING and DEPENDING upon God, the Holy Spirit to HELP them each and every day.
Without diligent a person is left with LAZINESS and laziness means a person hasn’t planned ahead, didn’t provide for what they would need, quit, decided it was easier NOT to do the work, went back to their old ways, or simply choose not to see the work through to the end result.
The bible tells God’s people to GUARD their HEARTS with diligence. “..Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore
all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in
the dust...” (Proverbs 4:23 MSG). “...Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course
of your life...” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT). “...Keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues of life...” (Proverbs 4:23
KJV).
Out of the human heart COME thoughts, but God’s people are to GUARD those thoughts against lies, manipulations, evil thoughts, lustful desires, laziness, bad habits, old ways of living, rebellions, and disobedience. Diligence keeps God’s people being intentional about NOT letting the enemy take advantage of them in ANY way and thus, guard their hearts with God’s WORD!
God’s people can’t PASSIVELY accept anything that comes into their hearts and minds that would sabotage their BODY boundaries. God’s people CHOOSE to diligently CAST “...down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled...” (2 Corinthians 10:5-6 KJV).
“...The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity...” (2 Corinthians 10:5-6 MSG).
When God’s people are DILIGENT about keeping their BODY boundaries they will personally WITNESS the RESULTS of their HARD WORK!! Their HEALTH will get better and better and REVEAL their diligence just like the covenant relationship with God will CONFORM each of his children, progressively, into the IMAGE of his SON, Jesus Christ.
Being lackadaisical about BODY boundaries is reflected in one’s physical life. This is NOT merely about being fat or thin; big or small, a 5 or a size 20, but about being a USEFUL or NON-USEFUL vessel of God, the Holy Spirit, who is upon earth SERVING “his” purpose. It requires a DILIGENCE approach in order to KEEP BODY boundaries or FAILURE is a guarantee. It is VERY appealing and EASY to throw DILIGENCE to the wind and find another excuse for DESTROYING your God-given temples, vessels, or BODIES.
God wants his people ABOVE ALL ELSE to be prosperous and in GOOD HEALTH. “... Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in [good]...health, even as thy soul prospereth...” (3 John 1:2 KJV).“…If you love me, you will (not might, maybe, sometimes, when I feel like it, or occasional, etc.) keep my commandments…” (John 14:15). “...Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well...”(3 John 1:2 NIV).
When God’s people truly LOVE him they will KEEP “ALL” his commandments. Being DILIGENT about your BODY boundaries helps establish behaviors that will KEEP your physical life in GOOD SHAPE so that it can, continually, be USEFUL in helping YOU “DO” the works of God, the Holy Spirit. Let DILIGENCE PROPEL your BODY boundaries for the excellency of HIS GLORY in Jesus Name I pray!
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