Over the recent decades church décor has been a key subject in many congregations. Indeed some beautiful facilities have resulted and are a wonder to behold. Sometimes this process has caused internal strife; bickering, arguments and even church splits. Colors, carpeting or other, pews/seating, platform set-up, pulpit designs and many more have found their way to the center of these discussions. But this is not the real temple.
Likewise in the Bible the temple finds its décor and layout to be very important. Furniture, vessels, scents, building materials…they all had their time in the important discussions. Certainly, Ezra and Nehemiah went through all of this as the remnant returned to Jerusalem. Even the place of God’s Word was a relevant topic (Ezra 2-7; Nehemiah 2). But this is no longer the real temple.
Sure, in today’s world, where to meet, how to set it up and decorate are important discussions. We have to wonder though how much time is given to the design and décor of the real temple, the church, the body of Christ. In days of old the enemies of God’s people always found ways to defile or tear down the temple. To desecrate it was an obvious blow to the worship and honoring of God in the lives of the Israelites. Today the enemy is still doing all it can to defile, destroy and desecrate God’s temple. Manipulating God’s people into using His temple for despicable and sinful acts is a sure win for Satan and his worldliness. Lasciviousness, homosexuality, gender identity, disgraceful displays of “art” on the walls of God’s temple can certainly work to ruin the holiness factor of worship among us.
When did we, God’s church, lose the discussion of the appropriateness of what we decorate ourselves with…not only when we meet together, but wherever we are and whatever we are doing or speaking? Do we take time to invite Christ through His Spirit to join us when making these decisions? Are these articles of clothing satisfying to you Jesus? Are you proud to sit with me as I decide what to have inked on these temple walls? Are you enjoying the excessive drink, sweets and food intake with me as I indulge? These, and many more questions should be considered as we make decisions in how we do or do not honor God in these bodies – God’s temple. Is what I am wearing appropriate to lead worship up front? Is this artwork what I believe is truly right to decorate God’s walls?
David Kupelian, writing for WND News Center, writes: “The very same political, cultural and sexual revolutionaries responsible for today’s unprecedented chaos in America have now finally dared to “come out” and publicly identify exactly who they consider to be their biggest enemy. Christians. That’s right… Finally, the Left has grown sufficiently brazen – and perhaps desperate – to openly identify the one group they consider to be the TRUE AND ULTIMATE enemy of America, and that is biblical Christians.”[1]
The attacks are once again against God’s holy temple. We must ask ourselves, “Is the enemy winning?” Or are we on the offensive living in the righteousness of Christ? Are we sufficiently teaching holiness to our congregants…especially the young as they face this onslaught daily? “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you…For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
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[1] https://www.wnd.com/2022/06/elites-finally-reveal-1-enemy-christians/
