Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3 v 17 - 20: "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
1 Corinthians 3 v 16 - 17: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple Ye are."
A Temple is a place where God meets man, and is worshipped by man. A place that is holy and set apart for God's purpose and delight. When you are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, God indwells you. This is His continual relationship with you within the temple of YOU.
It is a sacred place that we must keep spotless and undefiled. There is a list of things which must not be found in God's temple as they do not belong to His kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 6 v 9 - 10 it says: "Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covettous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
No matter how many countries make laws for permitting gay marriage and churches appoint gay clergy, they will plead in vain to enter in at the gates of Heaven. The latest laws being passed in the USA are that without parental knowledge or consent children have the right to be whatever gender they want and to have sex change surgery. In South Africa the law states that girls from the age of 12 may have an abortion without parental knowledge or consent.
The Antichrist is alive and well on this planet and his agenda to mock the Word of God is well advanced with governments being so corrupt and totally compromised, his evil works are made easy.
We want everything that Almighty God has promised us and freely given but T's and C's apply. (Terms and Conditions). The above list is what must be excluded from our temple to receive the blessings God promised to the children of Abraham. The list of blessings appears in Deuteronomy 28 v 1 - 14, and very desirable it is too.
The Lord is making it very clear that there is a dividing line between right and wrong. No matter what the world offers in exchange, those promises are empty and are really temptations to lure and distract you from your true relationship with God in your temple.
Jesus was tempted for 40 days by Satan in the wilderness after His baptism. Hebrews says He was tempted in every way that a human can be tempted yet He never sinned because He never yielded to that temptation.
He did this as a baptised human man to show us that water baptism gives us the ability to resist Satan. We still have a free will but any bad habit or wrongful lifestyle CAN be conquered by faith in Jesus and obedience to Him.
Revelations 2 and 3 talks about those who are the overcomers. They have overcome falseness of every kind. In chapter 3 v 12 Jesus says: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God...." Which means that the overcomer will have great power and strength to hold others up to keep them from falling into the traps satan has set.
Ephesians 2 v 19 - 22 : Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
So let us from today seek to improve our temple through submission, obedience, love, kindness, truth and being spiritually correct. Let our worship be pure and undefiled as we keep our bodies free of sinful behaviour to the glory of God. If we are free of sin we are walking in divine health, like Jesus did.
Prayer: Heavenly Father we are a work in progress and not perfect yet. We thank You for Your love and patience. We want our temple to be a delight to You. Please help us make it so. In Jesus' name. Amen.