THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD

THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 6:16

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:16
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekiel 37:27; John 14:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5

Description: As the temple of the living God, every believer is called to carry God's presence, live in holiness and reflect His character wherever they go.

INTRODUCTION

The temple in the Old Testament was a place associated with the presence, worship and glory of God. It was set apart for Him and treated with reverence. In 2 Corinthians 6:16, Paul declares something remarkable about believers: “Ye are the temple of the living God.” God's dwelling is no longer limited to a physical building; He dwells among and within His people by His Spirit.

This truth gives the believer a new understanding of identity. We are not merely people who attend a church building or participate in religious activities. We are people in whom God desires to dwell and through whom He desires to manifest His character. Our bodies, hearts, words, conduct and relationships should therefore reflect the One who lives within us.

Because God is holy, His dwelling place must be treated with reverence. We cannot deliberately embrace sin while claiming to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. The presence of God calls us to separation from idols, purity of life, spiritual sensitivity and wholehearted devotion. When we understand who we are, we will become more careful about what we allow into our lives.

1. YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD

Paul's declaration establishes the believer's spiritual identity. God has chosen to dwell in His people through the Holy Spirit.

a. God Dwells in His People (2 Corinthians 6:16) — The believer is described as God's temple because His presence dwells among His people.

b. The Holy Spirit Lives Within You (1 Corinthians 6:19) — Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you.

c. You Belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20) — Since Christ has purchased us, our lives belong to Him.

d. You Are Part of God's Spiritual House (1 Peter 2:5) — Believers are described as living stones being built into a spiritual house.

Biblical Example: The glory of God filled Solomon's temple at its dedication, demonstrating the significance of God's dwelling among His people (2 Chronicles 5:13-14).

2. GOD'S PRESENCE SHOULD CHANGE HOW YOU LIVE

When we understand that God dwells within us, holiness becomes more than a religious rule. It becomes a response to His presence.

a. Pursue Holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16) — God's people are called to be holy because He is holy.

b. Present Your Body to God (Romans 12:1) — Our bodies are to be offered to God as living sacrifices.

c. Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) — The Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome the control of sinful desires.

d. Let Your Conduct Honour God (1 Peter 2:12) — Our behaviour should testify positively about the God we serve.

Biblical Example: Joseph refused the advances of Potiphar's wife because he understood that sin would ultimately be an offence against God (Genesis 39:7-12).

3. THERE MUST BE NO AGREEMENT BETWEEN GOD'S TEMPLE AND IDOLS

Paul asks, “What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” The question highlights the incompatibility between God's presence and idolatrous devotion.

a. Reject Idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14) — Believers are commanded to flee from idolatry.

b. Worship God Alone (Exodus 20:3) — God demands exclusive worship and devotion.

c. Remove Competing Gods (Genesis 35:2-4) — Jacob instructed his household to put away foreign gods before approaching Bethel.

d. Guard Your Heart From False Worship (1 John 5:21) — Christians are warned to keep themselves from idols.

Biblical Example: Gideon destroyed his father's altar to Baal and built an altar to the Lord, demonstrating the need to remove competing objects of worship (Judges 6:25-27).

4. GOD'S TEMPLE MUST BE KEPT PURE

God's dwelling place should not be deliberately polluted. Purity must become a priority in the life of every believer.

a. Guard Your Heart (Proverbs 4:23) — The heart influences the direction of our lives.

b. Think on Pure Things (Philippians 4:8) — Our minds should continually focus on things that are true, pure and honourable.

c. Flee Sexual Immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18) — Sexual sin has a particular seriousness because it involves the body.

d. Cleanse Yourself From Defilement (2 Corinthians 7:1) — Believers are called to cleanse themselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit.

Biblical Example: Daniel maintained personal purity and spiritual discipline even while living in the corrupt environment of Babylon (Daniel 1:8-16).

5. GOD WANTS TO WALK WITH YOU

God does not merely desire to visit His people occasionally. He promises to dwell with them and walk among them.

a. God Promises His Presence (Leviticus 26:12) — God promised to walk among His people and be their God.

b. The Holy Spirit Is With You (John 14:16-17) — Jesus promised the Spirit would remain with believers.

c. God Will Never Forsake His People (Hebrews 13:5) — God's presence provides security in every season.

d. Walk With God Daily (Micah 6:8) — A relationship with God requires a life of humility, righteousness and obedience.

Biblical Example: Enoch walked with God consistently, and his life demonstrated an intimate relationship with the Lord (Genesis 5:22-24).

6. GOD'S TEMPLE SHOULD DISPLAY HIS GLORY

A temple exists for God's honour. Likewise, the believer's life should make God's character and power visible to others.

a. Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16) — Good works should lead people to glorify our Father in heaven.

b. Glorify God in Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:20) — Our physical lives should bring honour to God.

c. Bear Spiritual Fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) — The Holy Spirit produces Christ-like character in believers.

d. Reflect Christ's Character (2 Corinthians 3:18) — As we behold Christ, the Spirit transforms us increasingly into His likeness.

Biblical Example: Stephen's Spirit-filled life and conduct testified powerfully about Christ even while he faced opposition (Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-60).

7. THE TEMPLE BELONGS TO GOD

If we are God's temple, we cannot treat our lives as though we belong entirely to ourselves. Our decisions must recognise God's ownership.

a. You Were Bought With a Price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) — Christ's sacrifice establishes His rightful claim over our lives.

b. Live for the Lord (Romans 14:8) — Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

c. Surrender Your Plans to God (Proverbs 16:3) — We should commit our works to the Lord.

d. Seek God's Will First (Matthew 6:33) — God's Kingdom and righteousness should have priority in our lives.

Biblical Example: Isaiah responded to God's call with complete availability, saying, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

8. LIVE CONSCIOUSLY AS GOD'S TEMPLE

Knowing that we are God's temple should affect our choices every day. We must carry an awareness of God's presence into our homes, workplaces, relationships and ministry.

a. Honour God Everywhere (Colossians 3:17) — Everything we do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

b. Keep Your Testimony Clean (Philippians 2:15) — Believers should shine as lights in a dark world.

c. Separate Yourself From Defilement (2 Corinthians 6:17) — God's people are called to come out from what defiles them.

d. Grow in God's Presence (Psalm 16:11) — God's presence brings fullness of joy and direction for life.

Biblical Example: The early believers lived in such a way that their fellowship, worship and conduct became a visible testimony of the transforming work of Christ (Acts 2:42-47).

CONCLUSION

You are the temple of the living God. This is not merely a religious description; it is a divine identity that carries responsibility. God desires to dwell in you, walk with you and reveal His character through your life. Therefore, your body, heart, mind and conduct must be surrendered to Him.

Reject every idol, flee every form of defilement and cultivate a daily awareness of God's presence. Let your life become a place where God is honoured, His Spirit is welcomed and His glory is displayed. May everyone who encounters you see evidence that you belong to the living God.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, help me to live daily with the consciousness that I am Your temple, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let Your Holy Spirit have complete control over every area of my life, in Jesus name.

3. Father, cleanse my heart from every form of spiritual and moral defilement, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me from every idol and every competing affection in my heart, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to walk in holiness and purity every day, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, let Your presence remain continually with me and guide my steps, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let my life bring glory and honour to Your name, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, destroy every habit or relationship that is polluting my spiritual life, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let the fruit of the Holy Spirit be evident in my life, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make my life a worthy dwelling place for Your presence until the end, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk continually in the consciousness of God's presence.

2. Your life shall become a dwelling place of God's glory.

3. Every power of spiritual pollution shall lose its hold over you.

4. You shall not be controlled by idols or competing affections.

5. You shall receive grace to walk in holiness and purity.

6. The Holy Spirit shall guide and strengthen you every day.

7. Your body, mind and conduct shall bring glory to God.

8. The fruit of the Spirit shall increasingly manifest in your life.

9. God's presence shall distinguish you wherever you go.

10. Your life shall remain a worthy vessel for God's presence and a testimony of His glory.