1 Corinthians 3:16-17 reads, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” The temple referred to here is the local church, not our physical body as in 1 Corinthians 6:19.
The verses leading up to this warning, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, remind us of the reality of a coming judgment of our works. Ephesians 2 emphasizes how precious the church is to God. The book of Revelation describes the majesty and powerful splendor which will accompany the marriage of the Lamb of God to his bride, the church. God values his church, both local and universal, and repercussions will be serious for those whose works have been destructive toward it. The fact is that in addition to watching our seemingly wonderful works burn as straw at the judgment seat, we will face additional shame if our actions or words have actually hurt God’s church.
Paul wrote a second letter to the church in Corinth, once again referencing deceptive individuals who feign a righteousness they don’t possess. This time he was alluding to the unsaved who attempt to undermine God’s plan: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness”(2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Note the final statement of the paragraph: “Their end will correspond to their deeds”(15).
Deception; fake spirituality; words and actions which undermine and hurt God’s plan for this age, the church–it’s all serious business. Don’t partake in it, and don’t be fooled by it. Recognize that Satan is aggressively working to destroy the bride of Christ and her influence, and don’t let down your guard. God directed Paul to include these warnings in his letters for a reason. Remember that every person will one day face the all-knowing Judge. The unsaved will be sent to his eternal punishment. The Christian will not lose his heavenly home, but he will watch his works tested with the perfect test: no trick questions, no confusing wording, and no chance for claims of unfairness.
Consider what you are building and what you’re destroying. Remember that your actions will stand the ultimate test when your life’s opportunity for service has ended. “Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done”(1 Corinthians 3:13). This is real.