Taking it to Work:
In the workplace, as well as at home, our performance counts. If we’re tired, or hungry, or too full, or suffering from too much pressure, the bottom can drop right out of our game, and the top performance we are capable of, will never come to be. Even with a double shot espresso and a good self-pep talk, we are not going to be able to give what truly would be our best.
How do we get there physically and mentally, well, the right amount of sleep, good nutrition and exercise are always the top three we read about. But the Bible speaks of an even more important aspect of ourselves: Our spiritual state. The state of our temple.
We all know, from experience, there is a strong connection between our mental state, or our state of mind, and our performance. And we all also know, again from experience, when our spiritual life is out of whack, our mental, emotional state suffers for it. And what’s the number one thing that grinds our spiritual gears? The thing that God sees as poison to the health of a believer? Yes, that unpopular three letter word “sin”. Some churches have stopped talking about it, but the Word of God never will, and with good reason. We will never be at our best when we are harboring things in our temple that should not be there.
Jesus cleared the temple. In that time, it was the primary dwelling place of God’s presence, and there were things there that did not belong . They needed to be cleared for that place to fulfill the reason it was built.
The Spirit of God now dwells within us. We are His temple, the work of His hands. And to fulfil what we are called to do in this life, we need to clear out the behaviors, habits and attitudes that don’t belong in our temple. What are they for you? What would you love to see gone? What is in your temple that is keeping you from being all God created you to be?
Our spiritual state, our mental state, our performance at work and at home, and that reflection you see in the mirror, all will be blessed for the clearing. Ask the Lord Jesus to help you, as His Word works in you, today.
John 2:16 (ESV) – And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
Heb 12:1 (ESV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
1 Cor 3:16-17 (ESV) – Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
My temple is now your heart. My dwelling now indwells your own. I am pleased when all is kept, but I see also those things that do not belong, for these weaken your spirit, and in such, weaken who you become in your work for Me. When the temple is clear, then My light shines bright from you, your leadership is stronger, your ease with people richer with honest care for those you serve. Your work is more hearty and enjoyable, for joy flows more easily and penetrates more deeply. You are My child, and your load would be lighter in your home and in your workplace with sin driven from where it does not belong. You pray to Me for effectiveness, for relationships meaningful, for direction and meaning in work. Clear first the temple, as My Spirit hates the transgression that holds back the blessing of My children. Your home and work will be blessed with the tables of selfish sin removed. Clear with Me what you struggle to clear on your own. I am with you.
