What Does It Mean For Us To Be The Temple Of God?

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Published by Shannon Jacobs

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The Temple of God is a sacred construct found in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. It can refer to either a physical temple, as described in the Old Testament, or a spiritual temple, as referenced in many passages throughout the New Testament.

In its physical form, it is an important part of Jewish history and faith used to worship the Lord and adhere to His laws. King Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, constructed according to God’s instructions. It symbolized the covenant relationship between God and man and was a place where people could come together to worship.

Key Takeaways

  • The concept of “Temple of God” spans from a physical, historical structure to a spiritual embodiment within believers, signifying a covenant and the dwelling of God’s presence.
  • Believers are described as the “Temple of God,” housing the Holy Spirit, which necessitates a life of holiness, purity, and reflection of God’s glory through actions.
  • Understanding oneself as God’s temple influences lifestyle choices, promoting health, spiritual well-being, and acting as a beacon of God’s love and grace to others.

What Is The Temple Of God?

The Temple served as a testament to the covenant between God and His people, signifying his presence in their lives. Throughout history, this earthly temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. After Solomon’s death, the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC and later rebuilt by King Herod[1] in 20 BC under Roman rule.

The Temple of God is the meeting place between God and His people. It is a holy place that has been built as an earthly dwelling for the Divine. There were two principal Temples in the Old Testament: The First Temple of Jerusalem (also known as Solomon’s Temple) and the Second Temple of Jerusalem, constructed during King Solomon’s rule.

In the Old Testament, the Temple was where worship of God took place, and sacrifices were offered. It was also the center of religious life in Israel, with priests and other officials administering to the needs of their people. The Temple contained various items such as altars, tables, curtains, and sacred vessels. In addition, the Temple was home to the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the Ten Commandments.

The Temple featured prominently in many stories from the Old Testament, including David’s slaying of Goliath and his coronation ceremony in Solomon’s court. In 1 Kings 8:12–13, we read about how King Solomon himself consecrated and anointed the Temple.

“Then the king and all the people of Israel assembled before the Lord, and they celebrated seven days of festival sacrifice. On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, he sent them away, rejoicing with great joy for what the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel” (2 Chronicles 7:8,10).

majestic temple nestled in a serene mountain valley

What Does It Mean That We Are The Temple Of God?

The Bible is very clear that the followers of God are His temple. The Scriptures tell us several times in the Old and New Testaments that our bodies are a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). This means that we, as believers, must live holy lives. We must strive to be pure and undefiled by the world. We must be holy, as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16).

When we accept Jesus into our lives, it’s important to remember that His Spirit resides in us. This means that people will see Christ through our words and actions when they look at us. If we live in the power of the Spirit, then our lives will reflect His glory. We must demonstrate His presence through our everyday behavior.

The Bible also tells us that God’s temple is holy and should not be defiled (Isaiah 52:11). This means that we should avoid sin at all costs. We must stay away from anything that does not honor God. We must avoid people and activities that will lead us into temptation and instead seek out those who will encourage us to grow in holiness.

We are also called the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). This means we should live our lives as an example for others. We should show them how to live a godly life and point them toward the One who can save their soul. Our lives should invite others to come to Him and experience His love and grace.

How Does Knowing You Are God’s Temple Affect You?

When we understand that God’s temple is not a physical building but is instead a spiritual body, it can have profound implications for how we think and live. Knowing that God has chosen us to be His temple changes our perspective of ourselves and helps us identify with His purpose for our lives.

The Bible teaches us that when we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, we become a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 3:16–17, the apostle Paul hit on the true nature of the church as the body of Christ when he asked, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

As such, it is essential to remember that our bodies are not only temples of God but also instruments used to honor and glorify Him. Understanding and accepting that our body is sacred in God’s eyes will give us a greater appreciation for it. We can honor Him through how we take care of our bodies.

This means avoiding activities and substances that could be detrimental to our health, such as smoking, consuming unhealthy food, or engaging in risky behavior. Additionally, we should make sure to get enough rest and exercise regularly to keep our bodies strong and healthy.

It is also essential to recognize that when we are the temple of God, it means that our minds and hearts should be filled with His Word. As Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” This means we should focus our thoughts and conversations on pleasing topics to the Lord. We should meditate on His Word, pray often, and commit our lives to doing what pleases Him.

Finally, as God’s temple, we are called to be a light in this world for others who do not know Him. We are to be a living example of God’s grace and love to everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.

As 2 Corinthians 6:16 instructs us, “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

woman's back, exposed to the gentle sunlight filtering through the leaves of a dense forest

How Can You Remind Yourself That You Are God’s Temple?

One way to remind yourself that you are God’s temple is to read the Bible. The Bible contains many passages that remind us of our importance as His temple. For example, in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Paul writes about how believers are members of Christ’s body, His holy priesthood, and temples of the Holy Spirit.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of God’s Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own…” This passage shows us that our bodies are places of holiness and should be treated as such.

Another way to remind yourself that you are God’s temple is to take time to meditate and pray. Taking time to be still and talk to God can help us remember our importance as His temple. We can pray for wisdom and understanding of how He wants us to behave, to keep our temples holy. We can also thank Him for having chosen us to be His temple.

Finally, you can remind yourself that you are God’s temple by living a life of holiness. Living a holy life is important for us as believers and temples of the Lord. This includes avoiding sinful or ungodly behaviors, such as gossiping, dishonesty, and sexual immorality. Instead, we should strive to be kind, loving, and humble. We can also choose to do good works for others to express our devotion to God and His holy temple.

3 Different Ways To Treat Your Body Like A Temple To Honor God

Our bodies are temples of the Lord and should be treated as such. We can honor and glorify God by caring for our physical, mental, and spiritual health in various ways. Here are three different practices you can use to treat your human body like a temple and better serve the Lord:

1. Focus On Healthy Eating

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:20 to “honor God with your body,” which means nourishing it with nutritious food. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated—start by replacing sugary snacks and processed foods with more wholesome fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Not only will you feel better in the long run, but feeding your body well is a great way to honor God with your physical health.

2. Prioritize Regular Physical Activity

Second, prioritize regular physical activity. Regular exercise has physical benefits (like making us stronger and more resilient) and can also improve our mental health by reducing stress and increasing our energy levels.

Exercise also allows us to focus on God’s presence and acknowledge his role in our lives. The Bible tells us that “we are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), so don’t forget to show gratitude for the gift of a healthy body by taking care of it through physical activity.

3. Practice Spiritual Health

Our spiritual well-being is just as important as our physical and mental health, if not more so. The Bible tells us to “be still and know” (Psalm 46:10) that God controls our lives. Make time for yourself each day to pray, meditate or read scripture—whatever works for you. Spiritual health is not only essential for connecting with God, but it also helps to nourish our emotional and mental well-being.

silhouette of a lone figure standing on the edge of a cliff at sunset

Summary

Our bodies are temples of the Lord, and we should treat them as such. We can honor God with our physical health by eating nutritious foods and being active while nurturing our spiritual health through prayer, meditation, and reading scripture.

Taking time to pause and appreciate all God has given us helps us recognize our worth as His temple and live a life devoted to Him. By recognizing our status as God’s temple, we can live lives that reflect and honor His grace, love, and power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Your Body Is The Temple Of God?

Your body is considered the temple of God because it is believed to house the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the need for believers to live holy and pure lives, reflecting God’s glory.

What Does The Bible Say About Being The Temple Of God?

The Bible, specifically in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, received from God. This passage underscores the importance of honoring God with our bodies, reflecting the commitment and reverence due to Him as we acknowledge the significant spiritual value imbued in us.

Who Said You Are The Temple Of God?

The Apostle Paul said that we are the temple of God in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? This highlights the responsibility of believers to honor God with their bodies and actions.

What Is The Temple And What Is Its Purpose?

The temple is a place of worship and sacrifice in the Old Testament, symbolizing God’s covenant with His people and His presence among them; its purpose is to facilitate a meeting place between God and His people.

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