“If any man destroys the temple of God God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, & that is what you are ” (1 Cor 3:17).
Many of us desire to serve the lord and the most envied place of service is that of preaching or teaching be it in a youth meeting or home meeting or the prestigious Sunday pulpit. However what we often do not realize is the importance of what we say to the people before the Lord. We have forgotten that these people are not ours but belong to the Lord they are His holy habitation his temple. We must remind ourselves that Gods temple solely existed for Gods purpose and use in the world. When we minister we must be careful what we are bringing into the Lords temple, people are solely reserved for the Lords plans and not ours. Paul labors to present people as Christs bride 2 Cor 11:2 for Christ purpose to live for Christ. If after ministering people long for anything else either than to be Christs we have defiled Christs habitation his temple. After your ministering do people ” set their mind on things above not on things of the earth” (Col 3:2). Are we striving to present ” people who are complete in Christ” ( Col 1:28) or has our ministry being caught up with the passing earthly treasures. I fear for many ministries that have brought idols of this world into God temple by their teachings making them “meditate on earthly things” (Phil 3:19). As one would enter the temple he would be met with the alter of sacrifice a shadow of Christs ultimate sacrifice for us ( Ex 40:29) then the bronze basin for washing (Ex 40:30-32) a picture of the sanctifying work of the Spirit when we truly understand the work of the cross; then in the Holy place he would meet the golden lamp stand ( Ex 40:24) a picture of the burning light of the Holy Spirit showing us the ways of God; then the alter of incense (Ex 30:26-27) a picture of our prayers in fellowship with the Spirit; then in the Holy of Holiness Gods covenant tablets (Ex 40:20) a picture of Gods word His will and purpose for our lives. Is this seen in the words we minster to Gods people is this seen in their lives the fruit of our ministry if not then we are bringing defilement into Gods temple. Oh how many lives have been defiled but God is raising true priests who will not defile his temples.