So that we are not lost in church language, let us explain how a mortal human being can become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Does this not sound odd? It is one thing to say that the Holy Spirit baptized his church on the day of Pentecost and everyone else after who has received Christ as Savior comes into that baptism. It is also another thing to say that a person needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day. But how does this fit into the idea that the Holy Spirit actually dwells within a human body?
Let us take this statement literally. What is characteristic of a temple? Then we can explore how a constructed temple is similar to the physical human body as a temple. Speaking of construction, the believer is built on one foundation which is Jesus Christ. It is because of the Holy Spirit that a person’s spiritual character is built each day. The temple of old was where faith expanded through sacrifices. Today as believers in Jesus Christ, we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1)
The very presence of the temple was an exhibition of godliness by the function that it performed. Walking among mortal men, the temple that we are of the Holy Spirit is likewise an exhibition of the godliness that God intended through us as his witness. The human temple of the Holy Spirit is a presence of God’s testimony to all of mankind for their need of repentance, for their need of service to him. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit within believers supersedes what was once a brick-and-mortar temple. That temple was stationary, and mankind had to come to it. The believer wherein the Holy Spirit dwells is a mobile temple seeking out the unbeliever. As we function in our daily routine we offer a display of God’s work. (John 16: 13) This is the reason that a committed believer will seek ways internally and externally to worship the Almighty.
The original material temple was the location where teaching occurred. Now with the Holy Spirit’s influence, the believer can receive teaching and guidance and conviction and comfort whenever the need exists. Therefore, his activity within the human temple provides the believer with purpose and maintain a desire toward godliness. However, it is possible for the believer to grieve the Holy Spirit because of his waywardness. In ancient times it was equally possible for a person to disregard their need to attend services in the temple. As a result, the professing believer denies himself the privilege of hearing directly from God for the way he should walk.
The miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit into a believer’s body is cause for praise continually to God. He motivates. He inspires. He encourages us to look up at times of discouragement. He helps the believer to refocus on what truly is important. In the same way the ancient physical temple was full of activity of devotees, so is the Holy Spirit fully active within he who would devote himself to a new spiritual life. This is only possible as a gift of faith from God. (Ephesians 2:8) It is beyond human intellect. It is independent of a spontaneous effort to make a decision in the direction of God. We must accept the fact that Jesus is the son of God who was crucified and rose again. To apply that fact requires faith that can only be an initiative from the Lord. Expand yourself to a real consciousness that God as the Holy Spirit is dwelling within you.
Christian Writer 