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 NLT

For many years, they have been one of my favorite foods—one that I should leave alone except on occasion. Then the health-kick bug bit. Well, a moderated bite, anyway.

French Fries and I have a long-standing relationship. I’m sure Mom cooked them when I was young, but I don’t remember it. My first recollection of this sumptuous delicacy relates to the Orangeburg Fair, which arrived in Orangeburg on the first weekend in October, religiously.

Just inside the gates and in front of the exhibit building, where all the locals displayed their flowers, vegetables, and other wares, several small food trailers called Friske’s Fries awaited. I didn’t care much for the fair rides, but I loved the food, and at the top of my list were those fries. Many loved to top them with vinegar, but I loved mine either plain or soaked with ketchup.

Later, when my two younger brothers were teens—and I was a displaced young adult living with my parents once again—Mom cooked fries every Sunday night after church. And if not, she bought them, along with burgers, from the local Burger King.

Now at retirement age—actually, a little past—my love for fries remains. But wanting to lose a little weight and eat cleaner, I decided to back off, relegating eating them to once a week—sometimes I cheat and up the ante to twice a week.

My health kick began with Lent. I decided to give up sugary snacks and desserts, especially my favorite, Little Debbies. Once I realized how much better I felt, I prolonged my fast.

I’ve never been one to go overboard with the health kick, but Paul gives a good reminder, although he doesn’t give a diet plan. Our bodies are temples of God’s Spirit, and we should maintain them accordingly. Yes, this entails the physical element, but it also involves the mental and spiritual. In another place, he says physical exercise is beneficial, but spiritual exercise is better.

Remembering that our bodies are temples where God resides should make our health-conscious tentacles twinge. But it should also remind us about our spiritual duties to be faithful to the spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible study and to living out God’s commands. Jesus said if we loved him, we would obey him and model his behavior.

We only get one body, so take care of yours. After all, a healthy body enables us to keep doing God’s kingdom work.

Prepare the health kick that’s right for you.

Father, keep me healthy so that I can do the work you want me to do.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: The Health Kick: Martin Wiles: All Rights Reserved.