A TEMPLE INDEED!

Dearly Beloved, A TEMPLE INDEED! “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV). As I was waiting for my breakfast to be served one morning, I saw a news flash on my phone that reads, "If my body is a temple of God, who am I to stop people from entering the house of the Lord?” I clicked on the link and discovered that the statement was made by a so-called pretty lady in one of her tweets on Twitter. She based her argument on the above verse! Interestingly, thousands of people have retweeted and liked the tweet. I would not know if these people agree or not with the lady. However, the lady and all her followers miss it! They are one of those people that interpret and apply the words of God to suite their selfish interests. This verse is applicable only to those who have accepted Jesus Christ their personal Saviour and Lord. Your body being the temple of the Holy Spirit means the Holy Spirit is living in you. Apostle Paul had earlier categorically said, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV). Ordinarily, a temple is a building used for the worship of a god or gods. It is a sacred standout place that is restricted to certain people who usually have consecrated themselves before entering it for worship of the god. It is not a place that anybody can enter. In fact, it is the abode of the gods. Referring to 1 Corinthians 6:19, apostle Paul was referring to each Corintian Christian and by extension every other Christian as the dwelling place of God on earth. The body of a person does not belong to the person that carries it. The person is just the carrier. Every Christian is expected to consecrate him/herself as a dedicated vessel of his/her Creator. Apostle Paul put it in another words in Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (NKJV). He/She should not see him/herself as ordinary person, and should not allow anybody to misuse him/her. He/She is peculiar. Apostle Peter used four words – chosen, royal, holy, and special – to describe such a person (see 1 Peter 2:9). So, your body being the temple of God should be cherished and handled with care. You should not use it as you want or allow anyone to use it as they want. You will give account on how you use your body or allow other people to use it (see 1 Corinthians 3:17). You are a temple indeed! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be mindful of how you use your body as the temple of God.