The first serving dishes and utensils made from silver had to be polished on a regular basis or they would turn black and corrode. Gardens have to be weeded routinely in order to keep their beauty. Living rooms must be swept or vacuumed often to keep them presentable. Humans need to take a shower or bathe frequently to keep from building odors that are unpleasant to others and to remain as healthy as possible.
Our spiritual lives also must not be neglected. Paul writes, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).
It is interesting that he uses the phrase "know how" to possess. We must pay attention to our surroundings and be aware of our tendencies to cravings in order to live sanctified lives. It is necessary to recognize temptations for what they are if we want to avoid them. Daily intimacy with God through prayer, Bible meditation and obedience increase our awareness of our spiritual and physical lives.
