Yesterday morning after praying I was led to read 1 Corinthians 3. What Abba revealed after reading the whole chapter was something I had never seen about we who are God's temple. I had so much flashing through my mind after I read it. I couldn't help but wonder why I haven't heard it anywhere before? The Holy Spirit replied, “because much of what is being preached and taught today is taken out of context." This is not the same as being led to a Word study or something personal the Holy Spirit reveals to you for comfort, exhortation, admonishment, etc.
The danger and deception comes when you exclude the whole picture, message and letter of what is being conveyed. We are not to take His Word and use it to fit our own needs, ministry, calling, WHATEVER! We are not called to be specialists like the doctors we have today; A Cardiologist, Ears Nose, and Throat, a Brain Surgeon, Podiatrist etc.
Now we do have various callings and those who function in a particular spiritual office, but that doesn’t include a specialized title or shingle to be put out there for others to see. It should be known by the actions and fruit of such a calling and or office given by ABBA in Yeshua by HIS SPIRIT.
The Epistles penned by Paul inspired and breathed by the Holy Spirit are also known as the “letters” of Paul to the churches (Those who met in homes at the city these letters were sent to, ie; Ephesus, Corinth , Colossus, and so on.)
Now we do have various callings and those who function in a particular spiritual office, but that doesn’t include a specialized title or shingle to be put out there for others to see. It should be known by the actions and fruit of such a calling and or office given by ABBA in Yeshua by HIS SPIRIT.
The Epistles penned by Paul inspired and breathed by the Holy Spirit are also known as the “letters” of Paul to the churches (Those who met in homes at the city these letters were sent to, ie; Ephesus, Corinth , Colossus, and so on.)
Let me give you example I think you can understand and relate to. If you were to receive a letter from a friend, would you only read part of it? How about if in this letter you read about another close friend who had passed away with the details of how and why it happened, how to contact the family so you could make arrangements to go to your friends viewing? There would be no doubt in your mind or vain imaginings of what happened to your other friend, who to contact and where you are to pay your respects, right?
Now, what would happen if your dog got a hold of that letter before you got to read it and tore it up in pieces? When you try reading the letter you can only decipher and make out only part of it, right? Nothing confusing about that.
(This evening as I was quickly combing over this blog again for any more fine tune editing, I received a NOW Word from Abba. This was immediately after I read over this part. "What would happen if your dog came and tore the letter in pieces"? )
Philippians 3:1-3
Now, what would happen if your dog got a hold of that letter before you got to read it and tore it up in pieces? When you try reading the letter you can only decipher and make out only part of it, right? Nothing confusing about that.
(This evening as I was quickly combing over this blog again for any more fine tune editing, I received a NOW Word from Abba. This was immediately after I read over this part. "What would happen if your dog came and tore the letter in pieces"? )
Philippians 3:1-3
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
In order for any of us who endeavor to follow Christ to get what we need from Abba’s Word , we cannot take bits and pieces of His whole council and build a doctrine, teaching, or whatever we want to suit our own desires around it. Neither can we receive the bits and pieces given to us by those dogs, evil doing workers and laborers that mutilate our close abiding relationship with Abba Father in Yeshua Jesus.
Why? Because we are missing some very important and vital parts that have been excluded which we earnestly need for our spiritual growth and strong foundation to stay the course and endure with Christ till the end.
Why? Because we are missing some very important and vital parts that have been excluded which we earnestly need for our spiritual growth and strong foundation to stay the course and endure with Christ till the end.
Now on to what I was shown in 1 Corinthians 3. I am going to put the whole letter (chapter) up so you can read along and hopefully see it as well.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Watering, Working, Warning
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Watering, Working, Warning
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 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.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 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.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
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I titled this blog, "Is Your Temple being defiled?"
You will find out why as you come to understand just what that means in context of this letter to the Corinthians. I have always heard it said and believed without further review that the temple of God that is not to be defiled of which we are, had much to do with what we put into it. Like, what we eat, what we drink, what we smoke, and what we take in through our eyes, ears, heart and soul.
I wouldn’t say this is not true for either case to be considered, but when it comes to the context of what Paul was saying in this letter about such, neither of those would apply.
When I first read the whole chapter everything seemed to make sense till I got to, " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy;" I asked Abba, “why is that in there. It doesn’t seem to make sense in light of what I just read?" I heard Him say, “read it again from the beginning." After reading it as Abba instructed, I was like, “WHOA LORD, it fits perfectly with what defiling Your temple within means here. It has to do with those called to plant, water, build, and labourer among us!
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I titled this blog, "Is Your Temple being defiled?"
You will find out why as you come to understand just what that means in context of this letter to the Corinthians. I have always heard it said and believed without further review that the temple of God that is not to be defiled of which we are, had much to do with what we put into it. Like, what we eat, what we drink, what we smoke, and what we take in through our eyes, ears, heart and soul.
I wouldn’t say this is not true for either case to be considered, but when it comes to the context of what Paul was saying in this letter about such, neither of those would apply.
When I first read the whole chapter everything seemed to make sense till I got to, " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy;" I asked Abba, “why is that in there. It doesn’t seem to make sense in light of what I just read?" I heard Him say, “read it again from the beginning." After reading it as Abba instructed, I was like, “WHOA LORD, it fits perfectly with what defiling Your temple within means here. It has to do with those called to plant, water, build, and labourer among us!
Build / epoikodomeō
ep-oy-kod-om-eh'-o
From G1909 and G3618; to build upon, that is, (figuratively) to rear up: - build thereon (thereupon, on, upon).
Plant / phuteuō
foot-yoo'-o
From a derivative of G5453; to set out in the earth, that is, implant. Figuratively to instil doctrine: - plant.
Water/ potizō
pot-id'-zo
From a derivative of the alternate of G4095; to furnish drink, irrigate: - give (make) to drink, feed, water.
Labour/ kopos
kop'-os
From G2875; a cut, that is, (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication pains: - labour, trouble, weariness.
ep-oy-kod-om-eh'-o
From G1909 and G3618; to build upon, that is, (figuratively) to rear up: - build thereon (thereupon, on, upon).
Plant / phuteuō
foot-yoo'-o
From a derivative of G5453; to set out in the earth, that is, implant. Figuratively to instil doctrine: - plant.
Water/ potizō
pot-id'-zo
From a derivative of the alternate of G4095; to furnish drink, irrigate: - give (make) to drink, feed, water.
Labour/ kopos
kop'-os
From G2875; a cut, that is, (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication pains: - labour, trouble, weariness.
The misuse and mishandling of this particular scripture about our temple being defiled has put the sole responsibility of not defiling one's own temple on the individual, when Paul clearly lays out that the responsibility of our temple here falls on those who minister, preach, teach, pastor(to build and labor) among us.
What is that foundation of the True and Living Jesus Christ?
Matthew 10:37-40
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Matthew 16:23-25
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Is this the foundation you received among your laborers?
The scriptures you read above in Matthew that were spoken out of the mouth of our Lord Jesus is the foundation to our inward temple. If there has been another foundation laid other than Christ in what HE HIMSELF has said we are to do in order to follow Him? Your foundation is corrupt, defiled and will utterly collapse and come to spiritual ruin!
Matthew 10:37-40
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Matthew 16:23-25
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Is this the foundation you received among your laborers?
The scriptures you read above in Matthew that were spoken out of the mouth of our Lord Jesus is the foundation to our inward temple. If there has been another foundation laid other than Christ in what HE HIMSELF has said we are to do in order to follow Him? Your foundation is corrupt, defiled and will utterly collapse and come to spiritual ruin!
Are you seeing this more clearly?
Now there are those few laborers called to lay this foundation and those who build upon that foundation with gold, silver, wood, hay or stubble.
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon."
Thus, those who labor among us (our temples) will have their works be tested by fire. Those who built with the spiritual materials of the whole council of Abba's Word (Gold and silver that does not perish) and those who continue to be stuck on the basic elementals of the milk of His Word which are wood, hay and stubble. One will receive the reward and the rest will burn up, though they themselves will be saved.
There are MANY so self appointed falsely anointed "laborers today who are defiling ones foundation as well as the rest of the house (His temple) of which we are.
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon."
Thus, those who labor among us (our temples) will have their works be tested by fire. Those who built with the spiritual materials of the whole council of Abba's Word (Gold and silver that does not perish) and those who continue to be stuck on the basic elementals of the milk of His Word which are wood, hay and stubble. One will receive the reward and the rest will burn up, though they themselves will be saved.
There are MANY so self appointed falsely anointed "laborers today who are defiling ones foundation as well as the rest of the house (His temple) of which we are.
Let us look at what defile means in the greek.
to shrivel or wither, that is, to spoil (by any process) or (genitive) to ruin (especially figuratively by moral influences, to deprave): - corrupt (self), defile, destroy.
Did you catch that? The defilement comes from those laborers among us who corrupt us by their moral influence. Their depravity! (An evil quality or way of behaving that is contrary to His Word.) Their lack of fruit and own example of picking up their cross, DYING TO SELF and following Christ! The laborers perpetrating such defilement will be cut off and their names blotted from the Lambs book of Life, along with those who have allowed their own temples to be thus defiled by these depraved, wicked and lawless laborers.
to shrivel or wither, that is, to spoil (by any process) or (genitive) to ruin (especially figuratively by moral influences, to deprave): - corrupt (self), defile, destroy.
Did you catch that? The defilement comes from those laborers among us who corrupt us by their moral influence. Their depravity! (An evil quality or way of behaving that is contrary to His Word.) Their lack of fruit and own example of picking up their cross, DYING TO SELF and following Christ! The laborers perpetrating such defilement will be cut off and their names blotted from the Lambs book of Life, along with those who have allowed their own temples to be thus defiled by these depraved, wicked and lawless laborers.
The moral influence and depravity also has to do with mans earthly wisdom. The wisdom that these laborers draw from is from their own bellies and vain appetites. They are full of vanity (self inflated ego, pride and self glory who seek the accolades and praise of men! When one is enamored and over zealous by a teacher, preacher, podcaster, ministry, church, group, etc, to where that is the essence of thier praise and glory above Christ, their temples are thus being defiled and corrupted.
WHY? Because they are getting something that either tickles their ears, covers their sin, satisfies their need to socialize and be a part of a group, be justified by half truths, having their egos stroked, etc, etc.
So you can see that the one defiled and the one being defiled will be thus judged and cast out. It doesn’t mean we can’t mention a name of one who has so touched and blessed us in our walk. If the laborer always points us to Christ and dying daily to ourselves, (The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and pride of life) then the attention is not on them, but on Christ who uses these vessels to build HIS HOUSE of that is built upon the solid rock and firm foundation which is Yeshua!
The last part of this letter comes in to turn our focus away from the laborer and on to our own temples Christ is wanting to build that will endure the trials, tests, severe spiritual storms and all and everything we loose in this life for the sake of Christ that we may gain HIS Life for eternity.
WHY? Because they are getting something that either tickles their ears, covers their sin, satisfies their need to socialize and be a part of a group, be justified by half truths, having their egos stroked, etc, etc.
So you can see that the one defiled and the one being defiled will be thus judged and cast out. It doesn’t mean we can’t mention a name of one who has so touched and blessed us in our walk. If the laborer always points us to Christ and dying daily to ourselves, (The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and pride of life) then the attention is not on them, but on Christ who uses these vessels to build HIS HOUSE of that is built upon the solid rock and firm foundation which is Yeshua!
The last part of this letter comes in to turn our focus away from the laborer and on to our own temples Christ is wanting to build that will endure the trials, tests, severe spiritual storms and all and everything we loose in this life for the sake of Christ that we may gain HIS Life for eternity.
“Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.”
ABBA be praised for bringing understanding to us concerning His Word He is planting and writing on the tablets of our hearts and minds!
ABBA be praised for bringing understanding to us concerning His Word He is planting and writing on the tablets of our hearts and minds!
“Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” (Ps 119:11)