How to become God's temple?

To become God's temple, individuals must restore their original value by overcoming their fallen nature and establishing the four-position foundation, centered on God. This process involves fulfilling their portion of responsibility to perfect individuality, where mind and body harmonize under God's love. As individuals align with God's will, they become His dwelling place, reflecting His character and contributing to the realization of Heaven on Earth.

Humanity's profound struggle against its own better judgment, the unsettling act of overriding one's conscience to satisfy desires or evade discomfort, is a perennial theme in spiritual and philosophical inquiry. The Holy Bible vividly portrays this internal battle, offering both diagnosis and a path toward healing. The Apostle Paul famously articulated this perennial conflict, stating, “For the good that I would do, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Romans 7:19). He elaborates on this perplexing experience, describing a relentless war within: “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Romans 7:23). This candid confession resonates deeply, revealing a universal human condition characterized by a divided will.

Jesus Christ Himself acknowledged this vulnerability, warning His disciples to remain spiritually vigilant: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). This highlights the disparity between our spiritual aspirations and our physical limitations. The New Testament further elucidates the process of temptation and sin. James explains the progression: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15). This sequence – lust leading to conception, bringing forth sin, and ultimately death – underscores the deceptive and destructive nature of temptation when indulged. Yet, amidst these stark warnings, the scriptures offer profound hope and assurance: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). This promise from God emphasizes His protective care and the inherent human capacity, through divine aid, to overcome temptation.

Divine Principle's Clarification of the Fallen Nature

The Divine Principle offers a systematic explanation for this persistent inner strife, identifying it as the clash between the original mind and the fallen nature. Before the Human Fall, Adam and Eve were created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), possessing an original mind aligned with God's will and purpose. They were meant to achieve perfection by fulfilling their portion of responsibility not to eat from the tree (Genesis 2:17). However, through their failure to fulfill this responsibility, humanity inherited a fallen nature that contradicts this original divine blueprint. The Principle identifies four primary aspects of this fallen nature: failure to take God's viewpoint, leaving one's proper original position, reversing dominion (where the lower self attempts to dominate the higher self), and the multiplication of evil. This fallen nature distorts human desires and judgment, creating an internal disharmony. Because of the Fall, humanity became one body with Satan, and the vertical tie to God was broken, leading to a world that is hell on earth. God's purpose of creation to build heaven on earth and then heaven in heaven was interrupted.

When temptation arises, it is the fallen nature that amplifies illicit desires while simultaneously attempting to suppress or rationalize the voice of conscience, which is the instrument of the original mind. The original mind strives to uphold God's law and righteous principles, but if the fallen nature is strengthened through repeated indulgence and habit, it can overpower the innate guidance of conscience. Each time an individual yields to temptation, the fallen nature gains strength and asserts greater control; conversely, each act of resistance fortifies the original mind and its inherent connection to goodness. The Divine Principle reveals that temptation follows the pattern of the original Fall, where Satan presents a seemingly desirable but illicit option, casts doubt upon God's word and wisdom, and entices individuals to act against their true, God-given conscience. Recognizing this insidious pattern is crucial for effective resistance. Fundamentally, the Principle teaches that victory over temptation is not simply a matter of human willpower but springs from aligning one's heart and mind with God and His truth. When individuals are deeply immersed in God's word (e.g., through scripture study and meditation) and connected to His heart through prayer and fellowship, the spiritual emptiness that makes temptation appealing is gradually filled with spiritual abundance and purpose.

Understanding the Deeper Meaning: Restoring Original Value and Becoming God's Temple

The constant battle against temptation is, at its core, a process of restoring humanity's original value and character, thereby building Heaven on Earth. The original mind, when fully developed and uncorrupted, is the center of an individual’s being, discerning God's will and guiding all thoughts, emotions, and actions. The fallen nature, however, has effectively dethroned the original mind, placing self-centered desires and external influences in dominion. Therefore, overcoming conscience and temptation is synonymous with the process of restoration, whereby the original mind reclaims its rightful position of dominion over the physical self and fallen impulses. This process involves continuous spiritual education, consistent practice of truth, and heartfelt repentance for past transgressions. This restoration means fulfilling the Three Great Blessings God gave in Genesis 1:28: to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion. To be fruitful means completing one's individuality, where mind and body fulfill give-and-receive action centered on God's love and conscience, resembling God's divine nature.

Each successful resistance to temptation is a step toward purification and character building, reinforcing the original mind's capacity to resonate with God's love and wisdom. It is a re-establishment of the proper four-position foundation within the individual: God, the original mind, the physical body guided by the original mind, and the harmonious interaction among them. When this foundation is restored and a person accomplishes authentic individuality, God will dwell in their heart, and they will become a temple of God and live according to His will. A person who has become one with God will gain divinity and have no desire to sin. This internal purification ultimately impacts the external world, as individuals embodying God’s will contribute to the progressive restoration of the entire creation, leading to the establishment of Heaven on Earth. The struggle, while arduous, is therefore a blessed journey toward becoming individuals of true character, capable of living for the sake of others and reflecting God’s ideal.

Living the Principle

1. Strive for individual perfection: Focus on aligning your mind and body with God's love and conscience to complete your individuality. 2. Fulfill your portion of responsibility: Understand that reaching perfection requires your active effort and commitment, not just God's grace. 3. Establish the four-position foundation within: Consciously work to place God as the center, guiding your mind, body, and all your relationships. 4. Embody God's will: Live a life that reflects God's purposes, serving as His tangible object partner to bring Him joy.

These answers explain the Bible in the light of the Divine Principle, the teachings of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. .

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