Is it Time for a Temple Makeover?

A temple is a place where people worship God. Your body is the temple of God and you worship Him with your words, your actions, your attitudes, and your life.  

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

What’s the Big Deal anyway?

The big deal is that God cares about how we take care of (or don’t take care of) our bodies. Let’s take up the following ancient temple beauty tips:

The temple was beautifully crafted (1 Kings 6:22-23)

Just as Solomon made investments into the temple—we too must take care of our bodies. Dress your body in fashionable, but appropriate attire. “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety” (1Timothy 2:9).

The temple was filled with God’s glory (1 Kings 8:11)

In Solomon's temple God showed His presence with a glory cloud. As believers, we are filled with the Spirit and our actions/words reveal the presence of God.  “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31).

The temple was sacred (2 Chronicles 20:19)

King Uzziah wrongly tried to burn incense in the temple and he was struck with leprosy. Your body is set apart for God’s purpose and not your own agenda. “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple” (1 Corinthians 3:17).

Are you taking care of your temple? Did you know that there are consequences for temple neglect? Check out the following temple disasters:

                                The temple wasn’t a substitute for God (Jeremiah 7:4)

Jeremiah warned the Israelites about trying to worship other gods while still giving the appearance of worshipping God. We live in a culture that worships young, slim, and attractive bodies. As believers we recognize that we can take care of our bodies, but reserve all our worship for God. “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” (Luke 4:8).

The temple could be destroyed (1 Kings 9:6-7)

When the Israelites turned away from God, He allowed for the destruction of the temple. Our bodies can be destroyed if we neglect our relationship with God. There are consequences for believers who choose sin over God. “… hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,^, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5)

The temple could be abused (Ezekiel 8:16)

Even before the temple was destroyed by a pagan king, the Israelites were abusing the temple with idol worship. When we don’t take care of our bodies by overeating or undereating—we abuse our temples. “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Have you been a good steward of your temple? Next time you will learn the steps of a temple makeover from the inside out.

The New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.