Scripture to Read: John 2:14–17
Be sure to reread John 2:14–17 today. We see how God’s temple was being used, not for worship but as a place of business. Today, though, God’s temple is our body. God led Paul to ask this question in 1 Corinthians 3:16, Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? We also read in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” God clarifies that our body is His temple, not a building made with hands. Since our body is God’s temple, we are to glorify our Lord by how we live, in what we say, in how we think, and even in how we take care of our body. Living for our Lord means that we never take for granted the words that proceed from our mouths (Matthew 12:34, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:8, Colossians 4:6). We must also guard our actions, for they speak louder than our words most days (Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:31–32, Colossians 3:12–14, 1 Peter 2:1, 1 Peter 3:8). We are also to guard our thoughts, for our minds can get focused on things that dishonor our Lord (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, Ephesians 4:23, Philippians 4:8).
Challenge & Application
• Why is it important to know and understand that God’s temple is us and not a building we go to on Sundays?
• How do you care for God’s temple, and in what areas do you need to be more disciplined?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!