Throughout Israel’s history, the temple was destroyed and then rebuilt, but something far greater would one day happen to the temple. When Jesus died on the cross, the temple’s veil that separated God’s presence from the people was torn (Matthew 27:51). Now God’s people are His temple, and He resides in those who have repented their sins and placed their faith in Him. If you are a Christian, how will you take care of God’s temple? Here are three habits to help you take care of God’s temple:

1. Drink water. Okay, to all of my coffee and Coke drinkers out there, it is okay to drink those things, but water should take up the majority of your liquid intake. Why?

Your body is approximately 50%-70% water, depending on your gender, weight, and age. Water is connected to pretty much every bodily function- including regulating body temperature through sweating, transporting nutrients and oxygen in the blood, removing waste through urine and sweat, supporting digestion, and these are just name a few.

After reading this information and understanding that water is essential in your life, it comes as no surprise that Jesus offers living water. Just like water affects your entire body, so does the one that can offer living water. When Jesus is speaking to the woman at the well in John 4, He tells her that she can have “living water” and she will never thirst again. The woman took this in a figurative sense, but Jesus meant that in Him, through repentance of your sins and faith in Him, you will have eternal life. This is a benefit of participating in Jesus’ death and resurrection. So, as you drink water each day, use it as a reminder of what Jesus has given you and that you will never thirst again.

2. Fight against spiritual battle. Just like the Israelites should have protected the temple from their enemies, we need to protect our temple from the enemy. The enemy will attempt to attack you in your mind, with your time, and through your family and friends. Check out 1 Peter 5:8. This verse reminds us that the devil (the enemy) is prowling around you, ready to pounce when you are weak.

When you feel attacked in spiritual battle, go to your knees in prayer, read Scripture, text a Christian friend to pray for you, listen to a biblically sound podcast, listen to Scripture, and/or belt out a Christian song. Let the enemy know whose team you are on. This is why Paul writes about putting on the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20. Paul knows that other Christians will face spiritual battles, and we must put on this armor every day because Satan will not stop attacking what He doesn’t have, which is a relationship with God; you have this, and He wants it.

Read Ephesians 6:18. This verse is often overlooked after the grand description of the armor of God. Do not forget that prayer is your greatest weapon because you are praying to the almighty Creator.

3. Take care of your time. As a minister, a parent, or just a human being, your time is pulled in a thousand different directions. You might have sports, work, friends, family, etc. Take care of your time by saying certain things are non-negotiable.

Here are the non-negotiables: spending time in prayer and in God’s Word, being active by walking, joining a gym, or working out in some way, eating healthy, being with your family, and going to church. If you are a minister or an unpaid minister, this last one is hard. Find ways to be fed by listening to the pastor's sermons later on or join a Bible study that does not meet during the week.

All of these non-negotiables are like the oxygen mask on a plane. The flight attendant tells parents to put their oxygen mask on first because if they pass out, then you are of no help to your child, and in this case ministry. This does not mean that you neglect those around you, but write out your non-negotiables each week to prepare your mind and your body for what is to come.

In my planner, each week I write down my Bible reading plan, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and my workout for the week. This allows me to take care of my time, and it frees my brain up to focus on more important tasks since I have already planned the non-negotiable task. This does not mean that every week is perfect because kids get sick, someone is in the hospital, or I could have a bad week. This is okay, but at least I prepared.
Your body and soul are God’s temple- don’t forget to take care of them.

Julie Donavan has served in children’s and preschool ministry for 16 years and is currently the children’s minister at Hollinger’s Island Baptist Church in Mobile, AL. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School. Julie has written discipleship resources and leadership training for Lifeway, The Baptist Paper, and the Alabama State Board of Missions. Called to ministry at age nine, she continues to serve faithfully alongside her husband, Connor, and their two young children.