Tag: 1st Corinthians 3:16-17
You are God’s Holy Temple
Scripture reading for July 9th: Psalms 2-5, 1st Corinthians 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 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.”
Paul was writing to the Corinthian church that was struggling with divisions. He reminded them that they were God’s temple–collectively. God’s Holy Spirit dwelled among them as they gathered. Disunity and division was destroying the temple, putting those causing the division in danger. Self-deception is a dangerous place to be. True wisdom is humble and submissive to the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.
Psalm 2:12 “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”
Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize and obey the voice of Your Holy Spirit speaking and to honor the unity of the Church, Your body. I ask for wisdom. Amen.
You (the congregation) are God’s Temple!
Scripture reading for July 8th: 1st Corinthians 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Corinthians 3:16-17 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred and you are that temple.”
The Church of Jesus Christ is now composed of the members of His body who are born-again and have the Holy Spirit marking them as children of God. This body of believers become collectively ‘God’s temple’. God’s temple is a sacred place where it’s members are separated from the world and dedicated to our Lord Jesus. Paul explained this concept to the Corinthians and warned them against doing anything to destroy God’s temple! God’s sacred temple was to be honored and protected, never used or abused by false teaching, worldliness, manipulative leaders or people. God, Himself, promised to destroy those who would attempt that! The ‘gates of Hell’ would not prevail against His Church!
Observations for over-comers: All over-comers honor Christ’s temple and seek to protect and build it up through prayer, sound doctrine, and living in the Spirit. “Those who are far from You will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to You. But as for Me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.” (Psalm 73:27-28)