"DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV)
Comment: This passage of the Bible talks about being the temple of God collectively as a church and individually as a believer in Christ Jesus. The Amplified version of the Bible rendered it thus: "DO YOU NOT KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT YOU [the church] ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD, AND THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS [permanently] IN YOU [collectively and individually]? (1 Corinthians 3:16 Amps). In other words, as a local body of believers, you are God's temple, and as an individual believer, you are God's temple. Thus, defilement of the temple must not be allowed or permitted in your life (1 Corinthians 3:17).
Defiling the temple of God is a grievous Sin, both in the Old and the New Testament. In the verse 17 of this same chapter: "IF ANYONE DEFILES THE TEMPLE OF GOD, GOD WILL DESTROY HIM [or her]. FOR THE TEMPLE OF GOD IS HOLY, WHICH TEMPLE YOU ARE.
Thus, If you were the temple of God As the Scripture says, you would have to keep the temple clean, for it is the dwelling place of God. You should not be involved in anything that would bring defilement to the whole body of the local church you attend—where you serve. Achan's disobedience to God's instructions made the whole nation of Israel lose a battle and a number of people died as a result of it (Joshua 7:1-23). A believer's Sin can bring defilement to the whole congregation of believers (Jonah 1:7-15). Thus, keep yourself and live right, pure and holy (1 Peter 1:15,16); especially If you are one of those who work at the altar—workers in the Church or Ministry: "NEVERTHELESS THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDS, HAVING THIS SEAL: “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,” AND, “LET EVERYONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF CHRIST DEPART FROM INIQUITY" " (2 Timothy 2:19). Peace.