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. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
In the Old Testament, we know that Solomon’s temple was built following strict instructions by the Lord. And when it was completed and dedicated, how awesome was the presence of God that filled the temple. But in the particular verse above, which God’s temple is the Apostle Paul talking about?
Now, Paul in writing to the Corinthians in chapter 6, he rebuked them for the jealousy, quarreling and division within the church. He mentioned that it is the Lord that has assigned the task to each one (Apollos, Paul, Cephas) to do in God’s church. In verse 9 he says, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
So, in a sense, the church, the body of Christ collectively is also referred to as God’s temple where God manifests His presence . As Jesus mentioned in Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” And the Psalms also declares many times that God inhabits the praises of His people.
Then, in the next part, 1 Corinthians 6:10-15, Paul exhorted the believers “each one should be careful how he builds” his life. Jesus Christ is the foundation and on that foundation, one can build on it gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw. The quality of the materials referring to man’s work will someday will be tested by fire. If it survives, he will be rewarded but if it gets burned, he will suffer loss.
Then, Paul continued to say in verse 16 that you yourselves are God’s temple. Now, Paul is saying that individual believers are God’s temple where God’s Spirit dwells. In order for God’s Spirit to live in a temple, it has to be sacred – holy, that is why Paul exhorted the believers to be careful how he builds his life. In view of this, what kind of lives ought we to live so that God’s Spirit would live in us as His temple? For a more in-depth study of this topic, see We are God’s Temple by Andrew Murray.
Taking care of God’s temple doesn’t only mean living holy lives. Taking care of the physical body is equally important i.e. eating right, getting enough sleep, doing exercise, etc. I’ve embedded Joyce Meyer’s preaching here. She talks about taking care of the body 13 minutes into the video. But I hope you don’t just listen to that portion but the whole of this video because she’s sharing really great truths from the Word in a very down-to-earth manner.
Lord, thank You that as believers in Christ, You have made your Spirit to dwell in us. Help us to live the kind of lives that would only be holy and pleasing to You so that we may enjoy Your very presence everyday in our lives. Help us live our lives taking better care of our physical bodies so that we can do the work that You have called us to do. In Jesus name, Amen.