Your Body Is a Temple: What Scripture Actually Says About How We Eat

Scripture teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that caring for them is an act of stewardship and worship, not vanity. From Daniel choosing vegetables over the king's rich food to Paul's reminder to glorify God with our bodies, the Bible consistently frames how we eat as a matter of faith and gratitude. Eating well isn't about earning anything — it's about honoring the gift we've been given.

By Lew Kizer — Founder, Smash Meals | Pastor, Pitmaster, and Powerhouse of Purpose. Operating the Tri-Cities' first and only dedicated gluten-free commercial kitchen since 2017. Updated June 2026.

What does the Bible say about taking care of your body?

The Bible teaches that the body belongs to God and should be cared for as His temple. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (CSB), Paul writes: "Don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body." This frames physical health not as self-improvement, but as worship and stewardship.

Caring for your body isn't about chasing an ideal or earning approval. It's about recognizing that your body is a gift entrusted to you — and treating a gift with care is simply gratitude in action.

Is there a "biblical diet"?

There isn't a single prescribed "biblical diet," but Scripture offers principles of moderation, gratitude, and intentionality around food. The story of Daniel in Daniel 1 is often pointed to: Daniel and his companions chose simple vegetables and water over the king's rich food, and after ten days they appeared healthier and better nourished than those who ate the royal fare.

The lesson isn't that vegetables are holy and meat is not — Scripture affirms eating with thanksgiving across many foods. The lesson is intentionality: choosing what genuinely nourishes over what merely indulges, and doing so with purpose rather than mindlessness.

How can eating well be an act of faith?

Eating well can be an act of faith when we approach food with gratitude, treat our bodies as gifts worth caring for, and make choices that allow us to serve God and others with energy and health. When we eat to honor God rather than just to satisfy a craving, even an ordinary meal becomes a small act of worship.

Proverbs 21:5 reminds us that "the plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit." Caring for our health through intentional, planned eating is a form of that diligence — preparing our bodies to do the work we've been called to do, for as long as we're able to do it.

The Smash Meals difference

I'm a pastor before I'm a pitmaster, and I built Smash Meals as an extension of both callings. Every meal that leaves our kitchen is made with the conviction that feeding people well is a way of loving them. We're a 100% dedicated gluten-free kitchen because we want to serve the people who are too often left out — those who can't safely eat what everyone else is eating. That's not just business. That's ministry on a plate. When you eat with us, you're being cared for by people who believe your body is worth honoring.

A word from Lew

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." — 1 Corinthians 10:31, CSB

This verse hangs over everything we do. The smoking of a brisket, the portioning of a meal, the care taken with a celiac customer's safety — all of it can be done for the glory of God. That's the heart behind Smash Meals, and it always will be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bible say we should be healthy? The Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and calls us to glorify God with them. While it doesn't prescribe specific health rules, it consistently frames care for the body as stewardship of a gift from God.

What is the story of Daniel's diet? In Daniel 1, Daniel and his friends chose to eat simple vegetables and water instead of the king's rich food. After ten days they appeared healthier than those eating the royal diet — a story often cited about intentional, faithful eating.

Is it wrong to enjoy food according to the Bible? No. Scripture affirms enjoying food with thanksgiving. Ecclesiastes and many passages celebrate eating and drinking as gifts from God. The principle is gratitude and moderation, not deprivation.

Why does a pastor run a meal prep business? For Lew Kizer, feeding people well is an extension of ministry. Smash Meals was built on the conviction that caring for people's bodies — especially those with dietary needs others overlook — is a way of loving and serving them.

Is Smash Meals a faith-based business? Faith is woven into how we operate — the care we take, the people we serve, and the conviction that good food made well honors God. Everyone is welcome at our table.

Be cared for at the table

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