You have probably heard the Bible reference that says, “Your body is the temple,” but have you ever stopped to explore what that truly means and why God placed emphasis on it?
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”—1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (emphasis added)
Activating the Spirit of God dwelling within you is more than simply accepting Christ into your life and becoming a place where God’s Spirit now resides. It’s about using the power within you—the power that far surpasses your own yet equips you to do more than you can imagine.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”—John 14:12-14
It is only by digging deeper into God’s Word that you can begin to comprehend the significance of what it means to have the Spirt of God dwelling within you.
The Holy Spirit is a gift that God intended for your use to connect and align with Him. The Spirit not only connects you to God but also instructs you on ways to live a healthier life both physically and spiritually.
Before you are able to receive the power of the Spirit, you must be able to recognize who the Spirit is and how He connects your spiritual and physical identity for a healthier you.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the personification of God that we, as kings and priests, are privileged to have access to. Jesus’ experience of being baptized by the Holy Spirit gives us a glimpse into the anointing He has on one’s life.
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’’’—Matthew 3:16-17
Later, Jesus explained to His disciples that, after He was gone, the Holy Spirit would abide with them as a Helper, revealing truth.
The Spirit of God dwelling within you reveals truth for both your physical and spiritual well-being.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”—John 14:16-17 (emphasis added)
Once the disciples received the Holy Spirit, they were able to perform many of the same miracles that Jesus performed. Jesus’ power came through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And when it comes to healthy living, that’s where your power to walk in freedom will originate as well.
Preparing Your Body for the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
As with any building or housing structure, the human body requires maintenance to keep it strong and free from damage. This is especially important when you consider that your body is a vessel used for a Kingdom purpose.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”—2 Corinthians 4:7-9
In ancient times, the Holy of Holies was the only place fit for the presence of God. The Holy of Holies was a room in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, and later in the temple, that held the Ark of the Covenant.
God gave specific instructions on how the Israelites were to maintain this sacred place and the ceremonial acts that should take place there. He also made clear the consequences of not following His instructions, stating what the physical and spiritual implications of disobedience would be.
“If it [the nation of Israel] does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.”—Jeremiah 18:10
Within the Holy Place, there was ceremonial anointing and consecration with the holy anointing oil, the burning of incense; and in the Holy of Holies, the pouring out of sacrificial blood to atone for sins.
Though the blood of Jesus is the perfect sacrificial atonement for our sins, some of these customs are still significant for Believers today.
“And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and you shall hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy.”—Exodus 40:9
Like the Holy of Holies, your body is a sanctuary that needs to be cleansed spiritually and physically so that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can be manifested in the natural.
Just as He gave specific instructions on how to prepare the Holy of Holies, He also gave instructions on how to care for our bodies.
“[L]et us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”—Hebrews 10:22-23
Believers are called to be vigilant when it comes to protecting and maintaining the physical structure that was created for the Holy Spirit, thus providing a way for us to align with the will of God for our purpose and His glory.
The Spirit of God Dwelling within You and Your Responsibility
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a blessing and responsibility that Believers should not take lightly. Just as the Israelites used oil to anoint and cleanse the Holy Place within the tabernacle, you should be intentional about what is being put into your body.
With certain customs, we are called to observe and remember the holiness of God. This happens through communion, feasts, declarations, and the act of anointing with oil, to name a few. They are all divinely designed to bring your attention back to the Lord.
Another way to be intentional about activating the Spirit of God dwelling within you is to honor the Lord by supporting His Kingdom restoration and prophetic timeline.
You have an opportunity to consume and anoint your head with the purest olive oil from the Promised Land. You can literally have God’s restoration of the Holy Land be physically present within you!
‘On that day I will raise up
the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down,
and repair its damages;
I will raise up its ruins,
and rebuild it as in the days of old;
that they may possess the remnant of Edom,
and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’
says the Lord who does this thing.”—Amos 9:11-12
The intentional act of acquiring olive oil from Israel and remembering God’s faithfulness can help you stay spiritually aligned and prepare you for a physical manifestation of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
