◄ What Does 1 Corinthians 3:16 Mean? ►

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

It is an amazing privilege as well as a huge responsibility to realise that as Christians our frail, human body is a temple of God. One result of trusting in Jesus as Saviour is to have God's Holy Spirit come and take up permanent residence without our mortal frame.

In warning the carnal Christians in Corinth that they were seeking to build up the Church by means of their own might and wisdom rather than the wisdom and strength of the Lord, Paul makes a strong appeal to these worldly believers to remember the serious truth: "You are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you."

We can live our lives in our own strength rather than abiding in the power and strength of Christ, in which case the house we build will be of wood, hay, and stubble, which will finally be burned up - for in me there is no good thing, eternally saved but laying up no treasure in heaven. Or we can choose to submit to the Holy Spirit, die to self, and live to Christ so that it is God Who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. And out of the Refiner's fire will come gold, silver, and precious stones.

Let us recognise the amazing privilege, huge responsibility, and serious truth that the Spirit of God has taken up permanent residence in our bodies and live our lives as unto the Lord.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am beginning to understand the incredible privilege and the serious consequences of having Your Spirit indwelling my body. I pray that I may live worthy of the calling to which I have been called. Help me live my life from this day forward, as unto the Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.