Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 TNIV)

The Bible says that you yourselves are God's temple and if anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. In this case, he's not talking about you personally, but about you plural — that is, God's people, His church — and about the intentional destruction of a community of people by selfishness and gossip and fussing and just insisting on your own way.

God's people are sacred!

God's people are sacred, and when somebody comes in to criticize and complain and stir up controversies, it's serious business — not just to the church, but also to God. It's a big time sin. The church in Corinth is warned to be careful about those people who tear down what God deems is precious. Even though it may come naturally to you to criticize, run down, or sarcastically rip someone up, don't do it!

If you have to criticize, go right to that person with the right spirit. You become a builder; you become someone who cooperates and encourages. When you care for His church — God's family — God is going to richly bless you.

 

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© 2007 Paul Faulkner.

Title: "Become a Builder"
Author: Paul Faulkner
Publication Date: August 03, 2007

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