The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast

Episode: Your Body Is a Temple: This Bible Verse Isn’t About Shame – Lisa Whittle
Date: August 26, 2025
Guest: Lisa Whittle
Host: Candace Cameron Bure

Overview

In this insightful and honest episode, Candace Cameron Bure and author/podcaster Lisa Whittle dive deep into the often-quoted Bible verse 1 Corinthians 6:19—“your body is a temple”—and how its meaning has been misunderstood and misused, particularly within Christian culture. The conversation explores how this scripture has been used to foster shame about bodies, how it has impacted women’s lives and spirituality, and what it truly means in its biblical context. Using personal stories, theological insights, and Q&A, Candace and Lisa encourage listeners to break free from shame and step into a fuller understanding of God’s love and presence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Connection & Icebreakers

• [03:48-09:39]
  • Candace and Lisa trade stories of awkward interviews and fun facts, including Lisa never having played solitaire (06:13) and Candace’s ability to recite all US presidents in order (08:54).
  • The warm, relatable banter establishes a tone of openness and authenticity.

The Real Meaning Behind “Your Body is a Temple”

• Misuse in Christian Culture

  • [09:44-13:39] Candace:
    • Candace and Lisa discuss how “your body is a temple” has been simplified to rules around modesty and behavior, often related to shame rather than spiritual value.
    • "It was always used negatively... pure, cover up, don't stumble others. It was such a thin definition." – Candace [13:39]
  • [10:04-13:29] Lisa:
    • Lisa notes, “This is the most quoted, the most misquoted, and the most misunderstood perhaps.” [10:04]
    • Most women in her body focus group reported the church taught nothing or only this verse, always in a negative, behavior-focused context.
    • “It was always in the context of behavior modification…” [12:32]

• Surface-Level vs. Deep Theology

  • [15:44-16:13] Candace & Lisa:
    • They reflect how growing up, the verse was about “don’t eat junk,” “keep fit,” avoiding shame—but never about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
    • “But it ended there. And that was the problem.” – Candace [16:09]
    • “We are not thinking about the glorious exchange, whole body theology. It’s because we don’t have the theological underpinning.” – Lisa [16:52]

• The True Context of the Verse

  • [17:52-21:42] Lisa:
    • Lisa issues a passionate warning about how quick, shame-based messages on social media damage young women’s view of themselves.
    • "This is a message to say God loves you so much that He is living inside of your body." [19:38]
    • The indwelling is a sacred privilege, not about “don’t show boobs”—it’s about God’s deep love and intimacy.

• Impact on Body Image & Sexuality

  • [23:04-25:00]
    • The discussion turns to how poor theology around the body undermines women’s confidence and even their marital intimacy.
    • Lisa: “If we’re not teaching this properly in the church, we have a whole lot of women who are getting married… keeping your temple pure until you’re married, and then all of a sudden [expected] to be free. How is that going to go?” [24:33]
    • Candace shares candidly: “Growing up all I heard was… don’t do anything promiscuous. And then once you’re married, you have a freedom… But what happens on that day… I’m supposed to feel good about it, right?... is God watching me right now? And is this embarrassing?” [27:53 & 29:18]
    • Lisa: “Sex is not shameful. Sex is beautiful. But if we don’t understand it… It has just eaten us alive. And we’re supposed to then be free and sexual and happy… there’s no way.” [33:01 & 34:04]

• Body Shame and The Call for Better Teaching

  • Lisa emphasizes, "This is not about working hard on our body to impress people, to please the church... This is about saying, He lives inside of me." [20:44]
  • Both agree that true healing requires understanding the depth of God’s indwelling presence—and likely professional, faith-based counseling for those dealing with wounds from shame-based messages.

Looking Ahead: Balanced Body Theology

• [36:25-36:43] Lisa:
  • Next episode will address how broader culture has responded with the “body positivity” movement—sometimes swinging to an opposite extreme.
  • "There’s two sides to this."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This was the most quoted, the most misquoted, and the most misunderstood perhaps.” – Lisa Whittle [10:04]
• “All I heard was, like, don't do anything promiscuous… don't let anybody touch you. And you can't do anything sexual until you're married. And then once you're married, you have a freedom in that you can do everything… What happens on that day is… I'm supposed to feel good about it, right? … is God watching me right now?” – Candace [27:53-29:18]
• “This is a message to say God loves you so much that He is living inside of your body.” – Lisa [19:38]
• “We house a king, and that changes the way that we operate.” – Lisa [36:09]
• “Sex is not shameful. Sex is beautiful. But if we don’t understand it… It has just eaten us alive. And we’re supposed to then be free and sexual and happy… there’s no way.” – Lisa [33:01 & 34:04]
• “Denying entrance for thoughts… and speaking life over ourselves rather than speaking death is very important. That's a practice of the Psalms.” – Lisa [43:09]

Listener Q&A

On Spousal Porn Use and Shame

• [36:57-41:12] Listener: Becky
  • Becky asks how to avoid self-blame and listening to the enemy's lies when her husband has chosen porn for seven years.
  • Lisa: “This is your husband’s battle… there’s nothing you can do to increase his desire for you when the desire comes from an unhealthy place.” [38:13-39:09]
  • Candace: “It's just cheating... the feelings of rejection… are hard. But… it’s not about you. It's his battle.” [40:25]
  • Both hosts express empathy, prayer, and encourage seeking healing and support.

On Body Hatred and Postpartum Image

• [41:51-43:32] Listeners: Amy & Madeline
  • Advice: Remember you are made in God's image—a dearly loved image-bearer—and “speaking life over ourselves rather than speaking death is very important.”
  • “Any chain can be broken by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Lisa [43:32]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:48] – Beginning of main content, guest introductions, fun facts
• [09:44] – Start of the “body is a temple” discussion
• [13:39] – Candace describes surface-level interpretation and body image struggles
• [16:52] – Lisa explains lack of theological understanding about the body
• [19:38] – Lisa reframes the verse as about God’s love and presence, not shame
• [23:04] – Discussion on how poor teaching impacts intimacy and marriage
• [27:53] – Candace's honest reflection on shame and marital intimacy
• [36:57] – Listener question: struggling with husband’s porn use and feelings of rejection
• [41:51] – Final Q&A on self-hatred and negative body image postpartum
• [43:32] – Strong closing note on hope and breaking cycles with God’s power

Tone & Takeaway

The episode’s tone is heartfelt, vulnerable, and faith-centered. Candace and Lisa empathetically challenge shame-based teachings and encourage listeners to seek a deeper spiritual foundation for understanding their own worth and bodies. Their candid storytelling, theological clarity, and practical wisdom make this a healing conversation for anyone grappling with body image, shame, or religious confusion about their value.

Resources Mentioned

• Lisa Whittle’s “Body & Soul” Bible study book
• “The Whole Body Guide” (free resource at candace.com)
• Encouragement to seek faith-based therapy for deeper healing

For more nuanced exploration, tune into the next episode, where Candace and Lisa discuss the “body positivity” movement and what it gets right—and wrong.