Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Honoring the Body as a Temple of God
Proverbs 23:1-20
Marlene Tom
St. James MTC, Hillburn, NY
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the Lord.
 
As Christians living in a sinful world, our duty is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and God’s love and authority over this world. Before we can begin to do God’s work and share the Word of God with others, it is important that we stay righteous, pure, devoted to God. As it says in Matthew 7: 4-5, "How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Our bodies are temples of God, which means that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to glorify God in everything that we do. If we as Christians allow ourselves to fall into worldly temptations, we move farther away from God and become hypocrites. However, if we focus on making God our top priority in our lives, we are fulfilling His plan which is to bring ourselves and others closer to Him and the kingdom of God.
 
Proverbs 23 contains sayings of the wise, which are proper ways to conduct ourselves and stay holy and pure in our daily lives. Verse 4-5 says, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” This verse warns about craving worldly possessions such as money, which will come and go. Verse 17 says, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” It is important that we do not desire to have what others may have, for God knows our hearts and our minds and everything that we need. God has provided us with the tools necessary to fulfill His plans for us. If we defile ourselves, we become distracted, but if we keep our desires focused on becoming God’s servants, we store up heavenly treasures which are eternal and more than we could ever imagine.

PRAYER

Father God, help us to put all our faith and trust in You. Guide us and give us strength so that we can keep our bodies pure and holy to fulfill Your plans for this world. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“We cannot give our hearts to God & keep our bodies for ourselves.” - Elizabeth Elliot

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