Trouble in the Temple: Our Bodies Are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Do We Sense His Presence?

By GJ Neumann

The body of every born-again believer becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. How can we know that the Holy Spirit dwells in us? Are we supposed to feel Him? Or hear Him?

In simple terms, this volume explains how every Christian can experience the character-changing work of the Holy Spirit. Our trust in Christ is followed by a changed life.

Countless regenerated men and women have experienced powerful sanctification following their salvation decision. They are living at peace with God without anxiety or fear. Their surrendered will allows God to control their lives.

The amazing facts outlined in this book will shed Christs bright light into the darkness of our confusion about spiritual matters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490873190

GJ Neumann

Formerly concentrating on nonfiction, Author GJ Neumann proves his dexterity with this superbly delivered historic novel. He has visited most of the places mentioned in the book, lending a high level of authenticity to the story.

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Copyright © 2015 George J. Neumann.

Author of Almighty God Said Remember

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-7318-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7320-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7319-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015903961

WestBow Press rev. date: 03/26/2015

CONTENTS

Introduction By The Author

1-  The Character Of God

(I Am That I Am)

2-  The Character Of Man

(A Fallen Creature)

3-  Self Examination

(The Soul In My Mirror)

4-  Self-Reliance

(An Error In Trust)

5-  Salvation

(The Bloody Facts)

6-  Defining The Temple

(The Soul In Our Body)

7-  Trouble In The Temple

(Where Is The Spirit?)

8-  The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

(Building Character)

9-  Sanctification

(Equipping The Temple For God’s Glory)

10-  Worshipping God

(In Spirit And In Truth)

11-  Finish Of The Faithful

(Christ’s Worldwide Church)

12-  Bible Translations And Praraphrases

End Notes

Alphabetic Scripture Listing

Dedicated To

My Daughter, Dawn

&

My Son, James

Thank you for the love and respect you have shown me year after year; and for the joy and satisfaction that is mine in fatherhood.

What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?

For ye are the temple of the living God;

As God hath said, I will dwell in them,

And walk in them and I will be their God,

And they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them

And be ye separate, saith the Lord,

And touch not the unclean thing

And I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, And ye shall be my sons and daughters,

Saith the Lord Almighty.

(2 Corinthians 16-18)

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What? know ye not that your body is the Temple

Of the holy Ghost which is in you?

Which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price:

Therefore glorify God in your body

And in your spirit, which are God’s

(1 Corinthians 6: 19-20).

INTRODUCTION BY

THE AUTHOR

C hristians are described in the Scriptures as sinners once lost, then saved, then sanctified with the goal of holiness. This book is designed for those of us who have not yet reached that goal of holiness; those of us who intuitively know that there is more to the Christian life than we are currently experiencing.

Salvation, sanctification and the work of the Holy Spirit are subjects familiar to every Christian. We have been reminded diligently that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our flawed bodies serving as the temple of the Holy Spirit is difficult for us to fathom; but the resolve of the New Testament writers to insist in this matter, demands serious contemplation of this subject.

The temple is a metaphor for the place in our body where Christ’s Spirit works with our spirit. Is the temple clean and unblemished? Or is there trouble in the temple? Is our security based on our savings account or on God? It is God’s plan to guide His children by the voice of the Spirit in them. As we learn to sense and obey the Spirit’s voice we undergo major, positive alterations. From the inside out, these changes fashion us into spiritual beings enjoying fellowship with the only true God. A sensation of great peace between us and the Lord begins to triumph over confusion, fear and anxiety. Come what may, we rest securely in the knowledge that God is truly in control of our life.

The child of God not seeking His fellowship is considered perverse and remains distant from the Father in heaven. Christ’s Spirit in us constantly seeks to restore us to the Father. Do we know how to discern His Spirit?

They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight (Proverbs 11:20 ASV).

The love of God is genuine and constant but does not robotically wipe out sin. God’s plan to forgive sin through Christ is detailed in chapter five on salvation.

In his letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul reminds his readers to abstain from sexual immorality. We get the impression that he is surprised at their behavior: What? Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

After we first put our trust in Christ for salvation, His Spirit continues to sanctify us, to instruct us in righteousness, to convict us of sin and to recall truths in the Scriptures. The fruit of the Spirit begins to flourish and triggers major changes in our attitude and conduct. Are we cognizant of His work taking place in us?

People professing a conversion to Christianity, but remaining the same after conversion, are fooling themselves. Christ’s presence in us always causes transformation. We will deal with this regeneration process in depth throughout this book.

The reality of the temple and Christ’s abiding Spirit in us is perhaps the most neglected focus in Christianity today. New Christians may be mystified by the assertion that the Holy Spirit can impact their conduct by taking up residence in their body. If no effort by the Spirit is detected there will be confusion. Is there trouble in the temple?

Confessed, baptized members of a church find it arduous to seek counsel on this subject; aren’t they expected to know all about the Holy Spirit? Failing to discover step-by-step instructions in their Bibles they remain oblivious to the sanctification process.

The sanctified behavior we observe in a seasoned Christian was not gained in one fell swoop. Earnest Bible study and fervent prayer eventually cultivated a soul totally submitted to the Spirit of Christ who becomes a source of constant enlightenment and guidance. The mysteries surrounding God’s will and His promises begin to unravel one by one.

This volume offers plain talk and clear explanations. Before you finish this book you will know how the Spirit works. We hope that many believers, who desire to understand the work of sanctification, will soon be able to experience the Spirit’s powerful influence on their minds. This is the will of God for every believer.

After this short introduction, work with me through the pages of this book with an expectant mind and a grateful heart. The nine characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit can begin to develop and grow in each one of us. We will learn that there is a key decision we have to make, involving our heart, our will and our imagination before we can trigger the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

The Apostle Paul stresses willingness in the verse below; that important point is made frequently throughout the text of this book.

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward

(1 Corinthians 9:16-17a).

The Christian’s innermost being, our heart and soul, struggles with spiritual