Of all the people to listen to about facts, the public is the worst. Stories begin with fact and slowly morph into fables, laced with untruth. Our societies has heroes which never did those great things we speak of. Historic accounts are turned into folklore and the Bible is one of the most misquoted books there is.
I hear people try to quote Bible verses and they completely obliterate the truth. Not long ago a Whitehouse Press Secretary for the President of the United States said, “I believe that the phrase from the Bible is, "The Lord helps those who help themselves.” The problem being is this phrase is not in the Bible at all.
In today's passage Paul covers a verse which would become one of the largest misquoted verse there is. People have molded it to meet their own needs and many have developed whole lifestyles based around misinformation which stems from misquoting this verse.
Not only do people misquote this verse, they throw out the content of the message and replace it with their own agenda. Paul was asking a question, not making a statement. Paul was asking it to believers and never was it intended to be shared with those who do not know God.
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV)
Some people have said you must treat your body as a temple. Other people say “your body is a temple of God” which removes the question that was being asked by Paul. Paul is asking a question in a disgusted manor to those of the Corinthian church who were acting dishonorably towards God. “Don’t you know?” is the question.
The reason for being so blunt and so forceful with this question is because those who should be growing up in to spiritual maturity were acting as if they knew nothing about holiness, righteousness, and love. The were acting poorly when they should be hooked on to the truth of God.
Paul was reprimanding the Corinthians by asking this question. "Don’t you know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" It implies, if you do not know, then you have skipped over a grand concept. You skipped over the fact that Jesus came into your heart and you skipped over the fact that God is Holy.
If you have done this, then the next big question is “Did you mean it when you said forgive me and cleanse me?” If you didn’t mean it, then you’re acting as if you do not want God in your life; for you should know that holiness cannot be holy when you are involved with sin. These are contrary to each other.
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.1 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)
The meaning of the word destroy is, " to lead away a Christian church from that state of knowledge and holiness in which it ought to abide." Otherwise, if you do not want what God offers, then He will allow you to go away into the direction you want to go. With each step the truth will have less impact on you and you will forget more and more of what truth is. It’s your choice.
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 (NKJV)
There is no age limit or educational achievements which exempt a person from the judgment of God. Where some see judgment coming after this life; God is examining our hearts daily. He is watching our sincerity and should you choose to live other than the way He has directed you, He will let you have your choice. You can chase after you indulgence. His ever open arms will be waiting and His desire is for you to return to Him.
It may surprise you to know there are people who have attended church for many years, some seem wise with years, yet they do not surrender their lives to serve God and in this they become a fool. Salvation is for those who have surrendered.
The truth of God is a valuable commodity and when introduced to the truth a person sees their sin. God expects that sin to be confessed and forsaken. Yet, there are many who think that they can continue in their sin without it effecting their life. They continue to view things that they should not, they continue to do things they know is wrong, and they act as if they can have both sin and holiness in the same body.
By thinking this way, they think they become smarter than the scriptures and make God into the type of God they want him to be; because the true God is not good enough for them. But God, He, is not accepting of their sin that they want to hold on too. Again I echo Paul’s question, “Don’t you know?”
and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 1 Corinthians 3:20-23 (NKJV)
Let no man glory in their affiliation to other people. Because you know the pastor and shake his hand, it is nothing to boast over. There is nothing which forgives your sin, but the repentance from it and the shed blood of Christ.
As long as we are in this body, it’s lusts and cravings will follow us. We must work to allow God to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
There are times where we will entertain wrong thoughts and desires and do wrong things. But we must remember our church body of believers is a temple and the Holy Spirit of God dwells within us. The building is a structure which will perish; but the people of God will live as a temple and will live in holiness; for God is holy.
If we want to be wise, we must declare sin the liar and Holiness the truth.
