Matthew 21
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves.
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
We read of this matter in all the gospels, for example in John:
John 2
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
Many complain that their churches make merchandise of them and it’s all about money. Others are in church praising with amens and hallelujahs, while their lives are corrupt – a den thieves and robbers.
Jesus is known as the son of man, our brother, and as such He has sympathy with us, and we can go to Him with everything we need. In fact, that is His desire, to have fellowship with you and me.
How do you bring up your children? Is it your desire that they be close to the Lord Jesus, even as His brother or sister, or do you have other ambitions and goals for your children, while you hope that they also follow the Lord?
Your children learn from you what is important in life. When they go to hell you will be blamed and go to hell with them, for they saw and followed the evil things you do.
It’s amazing how the foal which had never been ridden submitted to Jesus. It was a humble animal but when Jesus rode on it people threw their garments in front of it to step on in honour of the Lord.
1 Cor 3
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
The Lord knows our thoughts. We need to show how things ought to be done, according to the Word of God. God honors those who honors His word.
Are there more harsh words than verse 17, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy”. As you harm your body through smoking, drinking or drugs, God will destroy you.
People will gladly extinguish their cigarettes as they enter church, little releasing that they are the temple of God and they are harming their body, God’s temple. You sin against God and against your body. You make yourself an enemy of God through those sins, harming His temple. You can end up being completely destitute when you harm God’s temple, as God destroys you and strips you of all.
This also applies to those involved in sexual immorality. Maybe you read books that defile you or watch videos or pictures that defile you.
1 Cor 6
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
We read in Isaiah of God’s great holiness as the seraphs cried out, “holy, holy, holy”. This is a serious matter. Can people see God’s thrice holiness in you?
Maybe you’re harming your body, God’s temple, through your laziness, claiming to be ill, while you indulge in a lazy lifestyle.
Examine yourself how you’ve treated the temple of God. How have you used your tongue, to honor God or for slander? Have you grieved God’s Spirit and so your life is a mess?
Make haste to repent.