The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the Lord, the God of Israel.
So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.”
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, “You may have no part in this work. We alone will build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.
Ezra 4:1-3 NLT
Could you imagine the inside sabotage that would occur if the enemy was allowed to join in the Temple build? What about holiness? Could the temple be holy when built with hands that hated, despised, ignored, blasphemed, and opposed God? This is the Temple God would dwell!
We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). And God has commissioned our lives to be built upon Him.
He wants to be on the throne of our hearts. All of us for Him (Mark 12:29-30). Can He sit on the throne in our lives if it is made of lies? No! We must fiercely cast out the lies and all things that come against or try to usurp God.
Abba God, I do not want the Temple you dwell in, in my heart and mind, to be made up of anything contrary or against You. I don’t want Your enemy supplying materials or help to build the foundation or walls. Help me root out the disguised enemy. Help me see the traitor thoughts that threaten the strength of the walls. I want this build to be a place for You to dwell and be holy for You. Will you make it, me holy? Will You set apart, sanctify my life? I submit all lies and thoughts to You. Point out the places that do not meet Your standards and need to be rebuilt for Your namesake.