Build His Temple: Offering Our Body to the Lord

Build His Temple: Offering Our Body to the Lord

Theme: “Offering our Body to the Lord”

By Michael Mitchell

In Haggai 1:3-14, the prophet Haggai confronts the people of Judah, who have neglected the rebuilding of the Temple. God’s message is clear: their priorities are misaligned, as they focus on personal comfort and wealth while His house lies in ruin. This message speaks beyond the physical temple; it’s a call to renew our inner temple—our body, mind, and spirit—as an offering to God.

The prophecy of the physical Temple holds a deep spiritual metaphor, as our body is often described in scripture as the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we neglect our own spiritual upkeep—our worship, our purity, our alignment with God’s will—His blessings are obstructed. But when we make space for God, purifying ourselves and living a life of worship, the blessings flow freely.

In Acts and the early church writings such as the Didache, we see that the life of a believer was simple: rooted in Christ and shaped by love, service, repentance, and worship. They were urged to avoid the deception that ensnared Eve in the Garden, a caution not to be beguiled by the whispers of The Accuser. This simplicity of faith opens us to God’s favor, where the blessings promised by Him flourish.

1. The Call to Rebuild

Haggai’s message isn’t solely about a structure; it’s a metaphor for the human heart and the need to realign with God’s purpose. The Lord tells the people, “Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:5). He urges them to examine their actions, motivations, and priorities. In neglecting the Temple, they neglect the source of blessing. The same is true when we stray from God—our spiritual alignment breaks, and our inner “temple” lies in disrepair. Our hearts, designed to be a dwelling place for the divine, become cluttered with distractions, desires, and selfish ambition. Rebuilding begins by removing these obstacles, restoring God’s rightful place at the center of our lives.

2. Opening the Blessings of God

When we neglect our spiritual life, we close ourselves off from God’s blessings. In Haggai’s time, the people experienced drought and scarcity, symbolizing the emptiness that results from ignoring God. But the moment they responded to Haggai’s call, realigned their priorities, and began work on the Temple, God stirred their spirits. This transformation demonstrates that the blessings of God come when we submit ourselves fully to His purpose and presence. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). God’s blessings flow when we prioritize His kingdom over our own desires.

3. Becoming a Living Temple

Our bodies, like the Temple of Solomon, are intricate, designed to house God’s Spirit. The Temple of Solomon, a sacred place of worship and reverence, represents the complexity and beauty of our being, aligned perfectly to honor God. Each part of the Temple had a purpose, and when all elements were in place, the presence of God descended, filling it with glory. Likewise, when we align each part of ourselves with God—our thoughts, actions, words, and intentions—our inner temple becomes a place where His Spirit dwells.

Scripture teaches us that worship is not merely a ritual but a way of life. In offering ourselves to God, we embody the simplicity and purity of worship modeled by the early church. When we live a life of repentance—a changed mind from what distances us from God to what brings us closer—we restore the relationship God desires with us. It is through worship, humility, and trust that we experience His blessings, peace, and favor.

4. The Mystery of Worship and Alignment

When we give ourselves over to God in true worship, something profound happens. It is as though each part of us—our mind, heart, and spirit—becomes a channel for God’s love, wisdom, and power. In this place of alignment, we experience peace beyond understanding and strength beyond our own. This alignment is what the occult metaphor of Solomon’s Temple represents: a structure so perfectly crafted that it becomes a conduit for divine energy. In our lives, this means opening ourselves to God’s will, surrendering our desires, and trusting in His guidance.

Worship isn’t simply about rituals; it’s a state of being, a continual offering of our lives to God. When we align ourselves with God’s purpose, when our inner temple reflects His will, the blessings we receive are abundant and unending.

Closing Prayer

Lord, we come to You, our Creator and Redeemer, and offer ourselves as living temples, vessels for Your Spirit. Help us to realign with Your purpose, removing every distraction, every sin, every barrier that keeps us from You. Let Your presence fill every part of our being. Guide us in worship, in humility, and in love. Let our lives be a testimony to Your grace, a reflection of Your light, and a conduit for Your blessings. Strengthen us, O Lord, as we build Your temple within, and may we walk in Your peace and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.