Temples of the Holy Spirit

¹⁶Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  ¹⁷If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  -I Corinthians 3:16, 17 (KJV) 

The Word of God reminds us of how our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.  Paul the Apostle communicated this truth to the church in Corinth in order to demonstrate to them the need to live holy lives.  These truths are still much in force for us today.   If we are in Christ then the Spirit of God does indeed dwell within us which means we are called to lives of holiness and devotion to God.  Certainly this does not mean some sort of cloistered lifestyle in which we are cut off from the world and those around us.  Such an approach to life goes against all Jesus taught about His followers being the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and His witnesses in the entire world.  The call to keep ourselves holy because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit is one of a lifestyle of devotion to Christ in which we strive for faithfulness in mind and body. 

I will not delve here into a discussion about taking care of ourselves physically, although doing so does indeed honor the Lord.  When we take steps to improve our physical health we are better equipped to serve the Lord and be an active part of the work of sharing the gospel.  Recognizing our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit also carries with it a deeper understanding of what we allow and do not allow into our minds and hearts.  These days we are bombarded with media of all kinds.  The number of hours a day people spend in front of the TV or computer is staggering.  If we are not careful we will take in content with runs contrary to the Word of God.  The Internet is a wonderful resource for growing in faith and communicating the gospel.  Yet it is also a cesspool of ungodly material which followers of Christ do well to avoid. 

Here we see the need for daily discipline in how much time we allow ourselves to be online or in front of the TV.  Since our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and this includes our minds, let us be careful of the need to spend less time online and more time in the Word and prayer.  Consider carefully what we are allowing into our minds.  Take time each day to sit down and engage in a thoughtful and concentrated period of meditation on God’s Word.  Enter daily into this discipline and spiritual growth will naturally follow.  Then when the temptations come we are equipped to stand firm and resist what would otherwise pollute our minds. 

God has called us to faithfulness and holiness, and this is attainable for all followers of Christ.  Joy, peace, and the power of God await those who fill their minds with the good things of God.