A Walking Billboard for God, Although You May Have the Best of Intentions, Is a Person a Christian Just Because They Say They Are? Posts-

Since Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life, is now on line through individual posts, I am now putting several links together for each post. I found groupings of three posts worked well for anyone interested in using these for a Bible study group.  Debbie Seiling


Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  1 Corinthians, Chapter 3, verses 16-17.

I have heard that some religions have interpreted this passage to say that Christians shouldn’t get their ears pierced or get tattoos but that isn’t what this passage means to me.  This passage is telling me that I’m a Christian 24/7 (24 hours a day/7 days a week) and God dwells in me all the time.
My actions, thoughts, words and deeds make me a walking billboard for God.  A billboard works as an advertisement to draw people toward a particular business.  If the sign were sloppy, had misspellings or poor grammar, the billboard would reflect poorly on the owner of the business.
Now, if I go out and get drunk, take drugs, am rude to others or use God’s Name in vain, it’s like I’ve used bad grammar on my billboard which would reflect poorly on God who dwells in me.  I need to make sure that I’m attempting to live in a manner that makes me a good example of how God works in my life.
Here is a related passage:
*I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.  Galatians, Chapter 2, verse 20.


I wrote to you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without?  Do not ye judge them that are within?  But them that are without God judgeth.  Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.  1 Corinthians, Chapter 5:9-13. 

I think God talks to us through Paul like a parent talks to their teenager about people who might be poor influences on them.  A parent might say something like, “I think it’s very important for you to be cautious about what type of people you hang around with at school.  Now, I want you to be polite to everyone, because we aren’t to be judgmental of others, but we are supposed to be aware of the lifestyle choices others make.
“Although you may have the best of intentions, sometimes other people’s bad habits rub off on us even without our being aware of it.  So, it’s important that you don’t hang with kids that you think do drugs, drink, and party or are rude and crude.  I know it’s hard because some of the kids who make poor choices are the ones who seem the most popular.  I hope you know that I’m only telling you this because I love you.  I just don’t want to see you get involved with the wrong type of people.”  Well, I think God often guides us like a loving parent, as well.
Here is a related passage:
*Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath Light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  2 Corinthians, Chapter 6:14-15.


And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart.  A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man whether thou shalt save thy wife?  1 Corinthians, Chapter 7, verses 13-16.

God gives His approval for staying in a good marriage with a non-Christian spouse, because you might be able to lead your spouse to Christianity through your relationship with God.  On the other hand, I think it says that if you’re in an unhealthy relationship, whether the person does or doesn’t profess to be a Christian, God absolves us from our marital commitment.
Now, some may think this passage doesn’t apply to them because God only absolves them if their partner is a non-Christian.  Do you really think a person is a Christian just because they say they are?  Don’t you think they are supposed to be a “Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is Christian,” by really living a life that reflects their belief in Jesus?
So, if a spouse drinks up all the money in the house and there’s no money to pay for food or clothes for the children, do you really think God considers this person a Christian?  If a spouse is so involved in drugs or other vices and causes constant turmoil in the family, do you really think God considers this person a Christian?  If a spouse has a hard day at work and hits the kids or you, do you really think God considers this person a Christian just because they profess to be one?
I think that God is saying the “till death do you part” portion of your marriage vow doesn’t apply because God said, A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.”  Sure, God would like all marriages to work out and doesn’t want people to leave just because they feel they may have missed out on all the fun that they think their single friends are having.  That isn’t what this is discussing.
God loves the non-Christian, the alcoholic, the drug addict and the abusive person, all of which can turn their lives around and become Christian.  This would have to be more than just saying they are a Christian.  They would have to really live their lives as a Christian.
Sometimes we just aren’t the ones who can bring these people to God.  Male or female, we have to be able to assess whether we are in a healthy environment for ourselves and our children.  If we aren’t, we are absolved from the “till death do you part” commitment, because being in an unhealthy or life-threatening environment isn’t what God would want for any of us.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

Remember This Before I Give a Sarcastic Reply, Instead of Worrying About What Everyone Else Is Doing, Reading the Bible Calms Me Down and Comforts Me Posts-

Since Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life, is now on line through individual posts, I am now putting several links together for each post. I found groupings of three posts worked well for anyone interested in using these for a Bible study group.  Debbie Seiling


Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law.  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.  Romans, Chapter 13, verses 8-10.

I think God had this passage written for people like me who get caught up in trying to remember too many things and end up forgetting most of it.  This way I don’t have to remember all types of different rules about being a Christian.  In order to lead my life as an example of how God works through me, I just have to remember one rule: Love thy neighbor as thyself.  This covers everything else.
When I contemplate talking rudely to a sales person who has been less than courteous to me, all I have to do is think, “Is this how God would want me to treat someone else?”  I wish I could say I always remember that before I give a sarcastic reply, but it often pops in my mind and I’m less apt to respond hatefully.  I definitely am not perfect but want to work toward being a better example of how God works in my life.


Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak eateth herbs.  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.  Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?  To his own Master he standeth or falleth.  Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike.  Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.  He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.  Romans, Chapter 14, verses 1-6.  
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.  Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.  Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.  For meat destroy not the work of God.  All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.  Hast thou faith?  have it to thyself before God.  Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.  Romans, Chapter 14, verses 13-23.

These passages have influenced my life in a number of ways.  I had been struggling for years about whether we should be going to church on Saturday or on Sunday, or whether it was okay to eat meat or not.  I admire my aunt and uncle who are very devout Christians who go to church on a different day and eat somewhat differently than I do.
God says that whether we eat meat or not, or go to church on Saturday or Sunday doesn’t determine our Salvation.  Our Salvation is because of our faith in Jesus and living as an example of how He works in our lives.  What matters is that we follow our beliefs.
He also tells us that we aren’t supposed to taunt others because their beliefs are different than ours by putting a stumbling block before them.  An example would be, having friends over for dinner who don’t eat meat for religious reasons and only having meat courses, putting them in an awkward position.
We need to support others and not be judgmental.  I need to keep focusing on God to lead me in the direction that He wants instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing or not doing.  It sounds like these details don’t matter to Him as long as they are done to glorify God.
Here are some related passages:
*But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse.  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.  1 Corinthians, Chapter 8, verses 8-9.
*Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lustest after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.  Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.  Deuteronomy, Chapter 12, verses 15-16.



For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans, Chapter 15, verses 4-6.

When I get upset about things or worried about family situations, I will often pick up the Bible.  I don’t usually open it to the spot where I left off the last time.  I pick up the Bible with both hands and open it and read whatever is on those pages.  I always say a little prayer first for God to take care of my understanding, comprehension and retention.  Although it doesn’t happen every time, it’s amazing how many times I open the Bible to pages that specifically relate to my particular situation.  I feel God guides me to the particular pages He wants me to read which calm me down and comfort me, just like this passage says.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.