My thoughts this morning goes to keeping our mind, spirit, and body, away from things that are not pure and holy. Our body is God’s temple, His dwelling place. This is a topic of the greatest importance for today!
This comparison came to me as I was studying God’s Word on the Temple and at the same time reading on the effects of termites on the structure of a building. Through experience, I have seen the destruction caused by termites and thus this comparison.
I began to think about the devastation that termites can cause on ones’ building (house,) and that of the effects of sin in one’s life.
As the thoughts of this letter were penned, I could not put down my pen until this letter was written. Is Your Temple in Need of a Termite Inspection? I would have to say, this letter has been one of the most heartfelt letters on sin that I have ever written. May you be blessed while reading, as much as I was, while writing this letter.
Let me begin this letter by saying that termite inspections are done visually. Inspectors look for signs of termites, such as trails (or mud tunnels,) and powdered wood residue. They inspect the walls and crawl spaces along baseboards, around pipes and basement foundations. Just as you would look for visual signs of termites, a person should examine his own body (his temple) for signs of “SIN.” Deuteronomy 23:14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee (KJV).
Following are six ways you can allow sin to enter your temple. Do you? Do you allow:
- your mind to think on things you should NOT think?
- your eyes to see what you should NOT see?
- your ears to hear what you should NOT hear?
- your mouth to speak what you should NOT speak?
- your hands to touch what you should NOT touch?
- your feet to go where you should NOT go?
If you answer yes, to any of the above questions, there is “sin” in your inward man.
Just as a termite can cause massive destruction to a building, so can “sin.” The outer shell of a building may appear strong, but the inner foundation infested with termites will eventually bring devastation to the structure, causing the building to crumble. When “sin” is allowed to hide in the inner man, it will bring destruction to the body, soul, and spirit, the very foundation of the temple of God.
Termites live in darkness fed by wood and moisture. They use soil to make tunnels to hide themselves so as not to be revealed; likewise, a “sin” that is hidden, fed by ungodly thoughts, desires, lies and deceiving actions will bring destruction to the foundation of the Temple. Termites are always at work., they work 24-7. Their destruction is overwhelming. Satan is continually at work. His destruction is devastating. Just as termites’ can be costly, so is “sin.”
Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Jeremiah 6:19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, [even] the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
Jeremiah 8:6 –12 I hearkened and heard, [but] they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. How do ye say, We [are] wise, and the law of the LORD [is] with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he [it]; the pen of the scribes [is] in vain. The wise [men] are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom [is] in them? Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
There are consequences of not dealing with a sin. Sin will weaken the walls and structure of “the temple,” causing decay to the body, soul, and spirit, bringing suffering and death. One termite undetected can lead to a 60,000-member colony.
One sin (not confessed) can lead to a multitude of sins. Just as termites multiply, going from one building to another, destroying what is in their path, so does “sin” if allowed to remain multiplying from one vessel to another. Sin can come through many ways and in many forms. Beware of false prophets, false prophecies, and false teachers:
We as believers must not allow ourselves to be part of sin. Jeremiah 23:32 Behold, I [am] against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
We His children are to be like God, pure and holy. Ezekiel 33:12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth.
Sin – will rob believers of their blessings. Jeremiah 5:25 Your iniquities (wickedness) have turned away these [things] (blessings), and your sins have withholden good [things] from you (KJV).
Sin – will cause you to be a slave of SIN. John 8:34-38 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my father. But you are following the advice of your father.
Sin – will hold you captive. Acts 8:22-23 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and [in] the bond of iniquity.
Sin – will not go unpunished. Yes, every secret will be brought to light.
Romans 2:12-16 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law [are] just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves [their] thoughts accusing or else excusing [them]) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel (NKJV).
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.
Sin – does not have to remain. Through repentance, turning away from SIN, there is forgiveness.
Sin vanishes. Romans 5:18-21 Yes, Adam’s one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness makes all people right in God’s sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God’s sight. God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful kindness became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (NLT).
Sin – was defeated. It is no longer your master. Romans 6:10-14 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Vs. 13, Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace (KJV).
Sin – leads to death. What you choose to obey becomes your master. Romans 6:16-20 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness (KJV).
The “Secret” to living a life of “no sin” – choose to live “in Christ” and “sin not.” John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (KJV).
The first step in treating termite infestation is to eliminate any known termites. Replace and repair any areas where they were and begin a treatment process. Likewise, to keep “sin” out of a person’s life, there must be a preventative treatment.
The second step to getting rid of “sin” in one’s body is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. By asking Him to come into your body, soul and spirit makes you a new creation, “washing you whiter than snow” – Repenting and turning from all the old ways will begin a new life without sin. Being filled with God’s Spirit is the only true preventative treatment to keep “sin” out of one’s life.
Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with all he has for you. Continue to be led by the Holy Spirit through daily reading, studying, and hearing the Word (the Bible); praying, seeking God for Wisdom, applying what He speaks to you in your everyday walk. Yes, the Holy Spirit having full control in your mind, body, and soul.
Do you want to make Jesus Lord and Savior of your soul? or maybe you need to repent or ask for forgiveness. There is no better time than right now, today.
Let us pray, “Heavenly Father, I believe Jesus died and was resurrected from the grave for me. His blood was shed for me. I repent from my sin and confess Jesus, as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Jesus for washing away my sins by the blood of Jesus. I will obey and follow you the rest of my life, Amen.”
“If” you prayed this prayer from your heart, your sins are washed away, and you are a child of the King. A Christian! Now, you have: the freedom and the assurance that you are without sin. Knowing God’s very presence, lives in you! Yes, you are His dwelling place: Yes.
- a Temple of praise
- a Temple of worship
- a Temple of great joy
- a Temple for His use
- a Temple for His purpose
- a Temple of miracles
We are made in His very likeness to be a Temple of GLORY! Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy (KJV).
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