In Cleansing The Temple

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)

“Zeal for Your house will consume me.” John 2:17 (NIV)

The temple of God is a major topic throughout the Bible. God designed a sacred place for His dwelling, to be glorified and to commune with His people. This began with Eden, followed by the tabernacle, Solomon’s temple, and now – astonishingly - the heart of every believer in Christ. God’s ultimate desire has always been to manifest His presence among us. Sadly, human hearts, corrupted by sin, easily become cluttered, filled with idols, obsessed with wealth, consumed by self-glory, and neglectful of God’s truth. Impure motives, misplaced priorities, and hidden sins defile our hearts. So, what is the condition of our hearts as God’s temple?

When Jesus arrived at the temple in Jerusalem, He didn’t see a house of prayer. Instead, He saw a marketplace bustling with merchants, money-changers, and a crowd driven by greed and gain. People were more focused on profit than on experiencing God’s presence. Jesus couldn’t tolerate this. With a whip in hand and a heart full of holy zeal, He flipped tables to clear the chaos and cleanse the temple.

Order and cleanliness bring joy. Living in a tidy home is calming and delightful. An organized life saves time and provides mental clarity. But maintaining order requires consistent effort, discipline, diligence, and meticulous work.

Shouldn’t we, then, be equally passionate about the purity of our hearts?

Consider how professional cleaning companies operate. They don’t simply start by mopping floors. Their approach is, “Clean the house before you clean it.” Meaning, achieving true satisfaction in a spotless home begins by clearing the clutter. We first put things in their proper places, throw out the trash, wipe down surfaces, and only then scrub the floors. If we skip the preparation, the dirt will remain, hidden beneath the surface. So it is with our souls: “Clean the heart before cleanse.” This process is a radical partnership—our will surrendered to God’s work.

So, what method should we use for cleansing our hearts?

Cleansing our hearts requires active cooperation with God! Often, we want to shift all the responsibility to Him. Because dealing with the mess in our own hearts is uncomfortable and challenging. We might mistakenly believe that a quick prayer like, “Wash me and cleanse me from every sin,” is all that’s needed. But it’s not that simple! God does wash us with the blood of Jesus Christ, yet we also have a part to play. We must intentionally clear out the garbage in our hearts, get rid of idols, mental clutter, and everything bitter or evil in our character. We need to confront grievances, expose wrong motives, and confess hidden sins, choosing to wholeheartedly submit to God. Only in partnership with Him we achieve complete cleansing and find deep fulfillment in life. It is essential to be active in the work of sanctification! Our work, and then His cleansing! Our surrender, and then His sanctifying grace.

Fight laziness, lust, negligence, worldly distractions, and our own comfort that draw us away from holy work. Let us keep His temple with pure thoughts, hearts, and actions so He can fill us with His glory and power.

“So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV)

“O God, forgive me for being cluttered with distractions and filled with what does not please You. Make my heart a pure dwelling place, radiant with Your glory. Teach me to labor in the work of cleansing, that my whole being may be Yours, holy and acceptable. Grant me clean hands and a pure heart, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”