God's Holy Fire: 'Don't Vandalize God's Temple'

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God's temple, you can be sure of that. God's temple is sacred — and you, remember, are the temple.
— 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 MSG

Key Thought

What often gets lost in this passage is that the "you" is plural - "y'all" in southern parts of the USA. The congregation, the local church, is the temple of God. God lives in us and among us. So when damage is done to the local church because of bickering or division or splits or anything else, God takes these sins seriously and will deal with these sins strongly. "The Message" uses the image of "vandalizing" in referring to doing damage to the local church. When we create problems in the church, we are vandalizing something precious to God, the place he lives and makes his home! Through the Holy Spirit, God personally lives in us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and in us as a church (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). We are holy and precious and sacred to God, and he wants us to treat each other as something holy and precious and sacred.

Today's Prayer

O God and Father, forgive me for not regarding your church with reverence and appreciation. I know that we are flawed because of our sinfulness and weakness, but I also know that you live in and among us. Use me to help others see your church as something holy and precious and sacred. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Sacred People
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For...."
We Are God's Holy Temple
Devo: Together in Christ
"Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this..."
All Things Are Ours
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, who loves to dwell with man, Thank you for dwelling within our spirits, for making us your holy temple! Help us not to be deceived or to..."
Become a Builder
Article by Paul Faulkner
Why tear down when you can build others up? Paul Faulkner reminds us that we are put here to be a blessing to others and inspire, encourage, and build up, not tear down and criticize because the church, Jesus' community, is God's holy temple.
See All 6 Related Resources about 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 MSG — God's temple is sacred — and you, remember, are the temple.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Not Causing to Stumble'
"Dear Disciple, Some issues were hard for new Christians to understand. One question for these new believers in Corinth was this: "Should we avoid..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Praise for His Glorious Grace' (Ep. 1:6-8)
"So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Revelation 19:9
"Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God.""
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Fit for Service' (1 Ti. 1:12-15)
"Dear Father, Thank you for the strength that you give us to minister to others. We bless you for judging us faithful and for committing talents to us..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations