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Often, the body is referenced as God’s temple when promoting better diet and exercise. It’s true that indulgence, sloth, drugs, tobacco and alcohol can be problematic, but the verse from which the phrase comes is related to sexual sin. It’s the warning Paul uses to close his thoughts on sexual immorality. Take a look:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV

Of course, exercise and a good diet are beneficial and honoring to God, but the diet of the heart and mind should top the priority list. It’s the place where lust begins and desire is cultivated. What’s fed into the mind, takes up residence in God’s dwelling place; the heart. In addition, the part about being “bought at a price” isn’t just a word-picture, it’s for real. Jesus has already paid for the temple. The title to the property has His name on it and we’re just the caretakers.

Perhaps you need to pause and do a walk-through of the temple. Are there habits and routines that need to be addressed? Struggles can be conquered through the power of Christ, and victory starts with prayer. In Him there is forgiveness and the strength to overcome (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Yeast changes things.

For example, as it works, dough rises and alcohol is released. In a Hebrew person’s life, it was symbolic of sin, and today is still removed from the home for Passover in traditional Jewish families. Paul, knowing the symbolism of yeast or “leaven”, used it to form a word-picture for describing sin in the believer’s life and the community of a church fellowship. He says:

“…Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” – 1 Corinthians 5:6 NKJV

As a believer, the temptation is to attempt to “understand” the leaven or “appreciate” it for what it is, but meanwhile, it’s busy making changes and producing byproducts. Active yeast is alive, and Paul gives two clear directives in the follow-up verses concerning it:

• Purge it out (1 Cor. 5:7)
• Stay with the pure unleavened truth (1 Cor. 5:8)

Purging involves repentance and habit change. For the church community, it could mean taking issue with someone, or righting a wrong. The unleavened truth may not have icing or cream filling, but it’s the sustaining nourishment of a disciple.

Are there areas of your life that need purging? Is there a person or situation you need to address to prevent further working of the yeast? Decide to focus on the pure unleavened truth…

The difference between natural and spiritual aren’t always easily discerned.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 3, the true foundation of a redeemed life is described. It’s specifically built on Christ and His teachings, not a variation of them or a “Jesus-plus” system. In the first century, many were attempting to add to, delete from, and make changes to the basic tenants of faith in Christ. Paul called it a “carnal” approach, or a catering to the flesh. Consider:

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.” – 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 NKJV

As a disciple, the goal should be to seek out the lasting truth, not a trendy or socially acceptable creed. There’s always a carnal-based idea floating around church circles looking for a receptive ear, but the mature believer knows time and prayer are required to discern the difference.

Trends come and go; are you committed to searching out what’s lasting based on scripture and the test of time? Are you willing to make decisions based on what that reveals? For the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire…

The word “saint” is often used to describe a person worthy of special recognition, but in the Bible, it isn’t the summary of a life lived, it’s a position. It’s being “in Christ” and “set apart”. As Paul opened his letter to the troubled church at Corinth, he specifically reminded them of the following:

“…to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV

The church at Corinth was being weakened and defiled by acceptance of the cultural norms of the city. And as a result, there was no power in the Spirit, no passion for righteousness, and no peace in the fellowship. So, as saints, they were being “called-out” to live as disciples committed to a different path than the world around them.

Do you consider yourself a saint? Perhaps you think it’s prideful to do so. It’s not based on what you’re doing, it’s based on what’s already been done. Understanding that should bring humility and gratefulness, not pride and arrogance. Will you prayerfully commit to walk as a saint today?

Ever struggled with letting go of a grudge?

If there’s anyone in the Old Testament who could have justified a grudge, it would have been Joseph. As Jacob’s favorite son, his jealous brothers sold him to slave-traders, which led to a life of serving others against his will in a foreign land. That event and others could have easily produced a vindictive spirit within him…but it didn’t.

His story is one of the most amazing in the Bible. Despite starting out as the spoiled son of Jacob, the grown Joseph of Egypt had a stubborn love for God. Instead of looking back to the past, his faith looked forward to the future. God gave him favor in the eyes of those around him and he quickly became governor. However, in the midst of the favor, the events of the past suddenly broke through into the present. His brothers showed up to buy food and Joseph struggled to keep himself composed. He was overwhelmed with emotions, and when he revealed himself to them they feared the worst. They feared “pay-back” and punishment, but Joseph offered forgiveness and restoration. He loved them and said this:

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” – Genesis 50:20 NKJV

Grudges look backward to the hurt, faith looks forward to the healing. Which way will you look today?

This world can be a hopeless place. Daily news events and the actions of people can leave a person feeling discouraged about life and the future. As believers, we hear the word hope a lot, but it can often feel elusive for us personally. So, with circumstances often working against hope, what are the specific building blocks of a hopeful heart?

The answer involves two parts, with the first being the “filling”. Consider this verse:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 NKJV

God is the one who fills us with hope, but the interesting thing is what happens at the beginning. Before hope is realized, joy and peace must be present in the heart; and they are directly tied to belief. What a person believes to be true, has everything to do with their outlook on tomorrow. When there’s faith in God’s leadership, there’s hope about what the day may bring; and through the power of the Holy Spirit, it’s not just momentary, it’s an on-going presence. “Now may the God of hope fill you…”