TEMPLE

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Do you not know that your body is the TEMPLE (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price (purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own). So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.

I didn't really intend for this word to follow the M&M/junk food lesson, but I guess God did as He is the one who gave me these two passages at the same time. What would you do if you owned a home with an adjoining room that you rented out, but this time the tenant was a loud, sloppy criminal. This new occupant trashed the place (your place), played loud music, invited every freak imaginable over at all hours, and stole from you. I would probably call the police and have him removed, wouldn't you? Maybe you had tried to reason with him. Told him the rules countless times and given him many chances to mend his ways. But this rebel wasn't about to change. In fact, he was hell bent on disrupting the small room he rented plus the main house that you lived in. EVICTION!

I sometimes wonder why God never just struck me down and evicted me. I sincerely asked him into my heart where He took up residence. But then I slowly but surely began to tear down His home with my laziness, poor food choices, smoking, drinking, lust, gossip, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger – you name them and I have invited them over for a party at one time or another. Thank God he didn't kick me to the curb, but rather He evicted those sinful behaviors, evil spirits, and ungodly thoughts.

My job is to cooperate with His rules for a clean home and not allow those intruders back in. I can't help who rings my door bell, but I can discern who is allowed in and who I only peek through the window at and dismiss away. God has also graciously given me His Holy Spirit to work as a “bouncer” within to warn me of suspicious characters and bounce them to the street if they try to muscle their way in. The day I invited Christ into my heart was also the day I received an Almighty Cleaning Crew to make this temple, His temple, a Holy One.