Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s sanctuary
and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16
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From Dictionary.com:
- Sanctuary – a sacred or holy place
- Temple – an edifice or place dedicated to the service or worship of a deity or deities
Paul was writing to the Corinthian Church, which was surrounded with idols and other pagan ways. He was trying to encourage them to keep on the right path. As with today’s church, we have to be mindful of the teachings that we submit ourselves to.
Oftentimes, when I hear someone speak of ‘keeping the temple pure’, I think of what I eat…not necessarily what I watch on television or what I might listen to on the radio, but those are important, too. If I allow negative thoughts and feelings to enter my mind and stay there, I will become depressed and will struggle to focus on what is right and true.
It can also be the result of negative words spoken to us as a child. Those can be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells us to give us the power to overcome.
Just as the Spirit of God was there from the beginning.
Now the earth was formless and empty,
darkness was over the surface of the deep,
and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:2 NIV
The Spirit was also there when David fought Goliath and defeated him (see 1 Samuel 17). David had no doubt that God would be there. When the giant appeared to insult God, David knew he needed to defend Him. We know God could have struck down the giant, but this was the opportunity David needed to show himself worthy to be chosen as the next king of Israel.
What giants are you facing? Have you faced them already? I pray you will have the simple courage David displayed. His faith was borne out of continued living in God’s presence and seeking God’s help in all situations. Being a shepherd requires a lot of care and attention to the small things. David was such a man.
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Father, I thank You again for Your wonderful example of how to trust you and how to seek You in all things. Forgive us when we forget to seek You first. Holy Spirit, come back to us! Do not grow weary with our stubbornness to not seek You first. We need you—like a headstrong child needs a patient, loving, and caring parent—be there with us. We want to have solid food from our Father. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
About Tina Marin
Tina, I’m so thankful that “When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells us to give us the power to overcome.” As you pointed out, there are so many things in our lives that can keep our temple from being the pure and holy place God wants it to be. Just as David relied on God to help him slay Goliath, so do we need to rely on His Holy Spirit to help us stay pure and win the battles that come our way.
Thank you for sharing today! <3
I am so glad he has declared us worthy to call His own!