Daily Devotional
Keeping God’s Temple Clean

November 24, 2023

Ponder This

When I was a little boy, I was part of a wonderful church. As you walked in the door of that very small auditorium, there was a sign over the door that said, “The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20). When I walked in there, I knew I’d come to the holy place. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting down that place, but there is a flaw with attaching that quote to a building. Because do you know where the sanctuary is now? Right here, in me. Paul said, when you’re in Christ, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19).

You know there are people who wouldn’t think of defiling this place. Some of you would not smoke in here, but as soon as you get out, you light up. You say, “Well I wouldn’t smoke in there—that’s the church.” But the truth is, you’re the sanctuary. Some of you would not use language in the church that you would use outside of church. Why is that? You’re the temple of God. God lives in you! That is the sanctuary to keep clean through His Spirit, in church and out of church, when everyone sees you and when no one is around.

• What are some things that you do outside of the church that do not honor God?
• How should the understanding that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit change the way you live?

Practice This

Pray and ask God to show you where you are not reflecting the Holy Spirit in your life.