Defiling the sanctuary


B. A. Manakala

They burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name. (Ps 74:7 nlt)

Once when I accompanied a Hindu friend, at one point I noticed him taking his shoes off. Because of my respect for him I also took off my shoes. People passed through the area without sandals only, as the area was attached to a temple. I admired his piousness for his deity.

Both destruction of church buildings and persecution of Christians may be considered as defiling God's sanctuary, as our bodies are also God’s temples (1 Cor. 6:19). But I would only want to pray and ask God to forgive them, like Jesus did, because they are ignorant about what they do (Lk. 23:34). After all, we are to have many trials and sorrows in this world (Jn. 16:33).

But I do not have an answer to it when we ourselves, who are to take care of His temple, are defiling it. If I am not able to take care of the body of Christ, or keep my body fit as the temple of God, am I not defiling His sanctuary?

Forgive the ignorance of those who defile His sanctuary; and ensure that we do not defile it ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, help me to do all that I can to take care of your sanctuary. Amen

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