1 CORINTHIANS 3
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. – 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
1 CORINTHIANS 3 KEEP GOD’S TEMPLE HOLY
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
You are indwelled by God’s Holy Spirit
After Jesus died on the cross, He gave you his Helper
You are now the temple of God so keep it unblemished
Do not defile it with human understanding and folly
It is God’s dwelling, so keep it pure and holy.
Many people do not understand the idea of keeping our bodies pure and holy. Even some Christians fail to apply the concept that we are God’s temple and that we are expected to keep it pure. In the Old Testament, God was very specific about how to build his temple, what materials to use and the restrictions of who are the only ones who can enter the Holy of Holies. The layers of curtains that a priest had to go through to ensure that the temple is not defiled clearly foreshadows how we need to respect our own bodies as well.
How are we to connect the concept of God’s temple in the Old Testament and being the temple of God after Jesus died for us? Our limitations as humans pose as a challenge to uncover this concept of keeping our bodies pure and holy. With the culture and traditions of the world around us, it can be a challenge to discern how to keep our bodies holy and undefiled. In the book of James, pure religion includes making sure that the believer is unstained by the systems of the world.
REFLECTION
- What ways can Christians defile God’s temple in their own bodies?
