“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Many consider their bodies to be their own, to do with as they please, whether that be to engage in illicit sex, abuse them with alcohol or other drugs, or even to harm themselves or commit suicide; but that is not the case. We were created by the LORD God that we might live for Him.

Since mankind turned aside from the ways of the LORD and fell into sin, Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, redeemed us by shedding His own precious blood for us upon the cross (cf. 1 Pet. 1:18-19) and winning for us forgiveness for all our sins and life everlasting.

We most certainly are not our own! We have been bought with a price, the blood of our God and Savior! “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15).

God not only poured out His Spirit upon the first disciples at the feast of Pentecost; He also graciously gave us His Spirit at our baptism (cf. Acts 2:38-39). Through the indwelling Holy Ghost, the Father and the Son, as well, make their abode with us (cf. John 14:15-23). The Spirit of God graciously brought us to trust in Jesus as our Savior and now He dwells in us to sanctify and keep us in that true and saving faith (cf. 2 Thess. 2:13-17; Phil. 1:6). What a blessing this is!

The Holy Ghost dwells in us believers – in our bodies. Therefore, we certainly would not desire to use our bodies to sin! Whether we be tempted to commit fornication, to use drugs or become intoxicated by alcohol or to do anything which is contrary to God’s holy will, we as Christians will want to consider what God’s Word says. We are God’s sanctuary and temple; God the Holy Ghost dwells in us!

O Spirit of God, You dwell in us. Graciously continue Your sanctifying work in us that we might repent of our sins and continue in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus as our Savior and live our lives as Your sacred temple. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.