We are God's Temple

1 Corinthians 3:16-17  "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."

      Lord, we have been studying about the temples in Jerusalem in Sunday School.  All Jews revered these buildings because that is where Your presence dwelt.  Because of this, they were the most important buildings in the whole world to them.  They were built with the most precious materials the earth could provide.  Then we read in Ezekiel that there was a time when You left the temple in three stages, and the Jews never noticed at all.  That was very sad.
      Lord, now that each believer is a temple, because Your Spirit dwells within us, it is just as important that we keep this temple in the best shape possible.  I believe, Paul is speaking here of making sure that our "Temple" is not corrupted within instead of just looking great on the outside, because he says that physical exercise is of some benefit: " For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
      In our culture, the outward seems to be the most important.  Being fit and trim, joining the Y or the gym, weight-watchers, etc. all focus on the outward.  The reason to look a certain way is to be sexy and attractive and to feel good about yourself more than just being as healthy as you can be so we are able to perform whatever God calls us to do.
      If we corrupt the inside of our "temples" with ungodliness and worldliness, but the outside still looks great, God will destroy it.  Just what that means in reality, Lord, I don't yet understand, but believe it with all my heart.  I know if we are involved with sins to the body: illicit sex, smoking, drinking, and even eating disorders that come from excessive focus on looks; our body (Your Temple) will be destroyed unless repentance comes.  Even then it may come too late for reversal of the damage done.
      Lord, You have given us Your best.  It blows me away that You would come to live within ME,  and that You would make this body, with all of its spots and blemishes, Your temple.  Help me, Lord to take good care of the outside and to show in all outward appearances that You live within, not adorning it in in appropriate clothing; but even more importantly, please help me to keep the inside of the temple a pleasant dwelling place or You in purity of thought and godliness of attitude.