Tending the Temple

Are we defiling God’s temple or honoring God’s temple?

Wait! What?

What does it really mean that “I am the temple of God”—that “God’s Spirit has its home or permanent dwelling in me”? — 1 Corinthians 3:16

Perhaps we should start by defining the word temple. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines temple as a building for religious worship. Another definition is a place of divine presence; a building dedicated to the worship of God.

Are we worshiping God and dedicating ourselves daily to honoring Him? Do our actions and behavior glorify His temple, or do our worldly behaviors of lust, greed, gossip, unforgiveness, criticism, anger, and rage defile His temple?

If God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in us, then we should be beacons of holiness, godliness, and righteousness—because “the temple of God is holy.” (1 Corinthians 3:17) As believers, we are called to live set apart—our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Ephesians 4:30).

In order for us to maintain and bring honor and glory to this holy dwelling place, we need to follow a daily maintenance plan of spending intimate time with God—meditating on His Word, keeping a positive mindset, doing good, and allowing His truth to permeate our entire being.

To keep and have a positive mindset, we need to think on “whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious.” — Philippians 4:8.

Are we bringing glory and honor to God’s temple by living righteously, or are we defiling God’s temple by neglecting His Word—living a life of apathy, without worship, with a bad attitude, full of unforgiveness, bitterness, and overindulgence in worldly things?

If we truly are the temple of God and His Spirit has a permanent dwelling place in each of us, then we need to bring glory to Him by allowing Him to live in us. And we need to remember that “those who honor God, He will honor.” —1 Samuel 2:30

Father, It is a privilege and a gift to have You and Your holy presence dwelling in each of us. Help us to maintain and honor Your temple as we meditate on Your Word and act as beacons of peace, light, hope, holiness, and righteousness. In our Redeemer Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen.