You Don’t Need The World’s Wisdom Series

If I were to preach a message about separation and the need to keep ourselves unspotted by the sin and decay all around us, there are certain verses I would use.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 – “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? /////For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (2 powerpoints)

1 John 2:15-17 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world.” (powerpoint)

Ephesians 5:11 – “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (powerpoint)

I have, in the past, used a verse such as 1 Corinthians 3:16 to emphasize the fact that we belong to God and ought to honor Him as a result

1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (powerpoint)

The concept of separation here is true, but we need to be careful to keep Scripture within the context that was intended by the author. In this case, this verse is within the context of the works we do as followers of Jesus Christ. The apostle resumes here what he had previously stated in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15

***** 1 Corinthians 3:9-16

The illustration of a temple is used by Paul in verse 16 due to the fact that God, in the Old Testament, dwelt by way of a visible symbol - "the Shechinah" - in the temple. As He dwelt among the Jews; He had there a temple-a dwelling place, so He also dwells among Christians. They are His temple, the place of His abode. His residence is with them; and He is in their midst.

The figure given here is a beautiful one, and very impressive. A temple was an edifice erected to the service of God. The temple at Jerusalem was not only the most magnificent building, but was regarded as the most sacred.

Among the pagans, temples were also regarded as sacred. They were supposed to be inhabited by the divinity to whom they were dedicated. It was a crime of the highest degree to violate, or cause harm to a temple. So the apostle says of this Christian community. They were regarded as His temple-God dwelt among them-and they should regard themselves as holy, and as consecrated to His service. And so it is regarded as sacrilegious to violate the temple, and to devote it to other uses.

This is what leads to the warning the apostle Paul gives in verse 17.

1 Corinthians 3:17 – “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (powerpoint)

Some commentators say this refers to false teachers in the church. Yet, up until this point in the letter, Paul has not referred to false teachers. This verse seems to be a warning to those who would seek to harm God’s children. We are reminded of Jesus warning:

Matthew 18:6-7 – “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (powerpoint)

However, it may also be a warning to believers that God will not allow us to bring shame to His holy name or to His temple, without consequences.

Hebrews 12:6 – “For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (powerpoint)

We find an even stronger warning given to believers in the Communion chapter of 1 Corinthians 11:

1 Corinthians 11:29-30 – “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” (powerpoint)

Paul comes to the point in his letter where he stresses to the readers that, if they want to glorify God in this temple He has given to them, they need to have a proper perspective on things. The first thing we need to do as believers is to have a proper view of ourselves.