With all the “talk” about the ‘end times’ and the rebuilding of the Temple, we need to remember where the current Temple of God is located.
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? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
So Paul give us some advice about how to employ this directive in…
Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
To bring our bodies into a ‘living sacrifice’ mode it will take the ‘self control’ fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:23). The Holy Spirit teaching us, working with us, by imparting this fruit into our lives. We are responsible how we control our bodies under His authority and direction.
Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
This isn’t about a ‘secret’ life but a open and displayed life in all matters for everyone to observe.
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
We have the responsibility to keep our bodies under absolute control for God including our thoughts and desires. We must never give way to the things we KNOW are improper, for He reminds us what we need to avoid. But often we are quick to judge others much more severely than we judge ourselves just because we are not naturally inclined in the same areas. Most of us are very good in making excuses to God for ourselves while condemning others.
Jesus has some very direct words speaking to this practice.
Matthew 7:3-5
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Are you checking with the Holy Spirit about everything you are doing with your body? Working out / eating / injecting – putting drugs into it, etc? Or or you allowing others to have authority over your body BEFORE the Holy Spirit? (ie. Medical personnel, doctor, nurse, etc.) It seems in this time we are SO quick to do whatever the ‘doctor’ tells us to do — with no regard to asking the Holy Spirit first. Here in lies the issue of being able to HEAR Him in the moment when those kinds of situations are presented to us.
Do you have a habit of checking with the Holy Spirit about what you are supposed to do?