Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 28:6-7

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Protect What Is Holy

“When the priests leave the sacred inner room, they must not go directly to the outer courtyard. They must first take off the clothes they wore while ministering, because these clothes are holy. They must put on other clothes before entering the parts of the building complex open to the public.” –Ezekiel 42:14 (NLT)

There is a lesson hidden in the wardrobe of the priesthood.

When the priests ministered in the inner sanctuary, they wore garments set apart—clothed for holy service. But they weren’t allowed to wear those same garments out into the public. Why? Because the garments were consecrated, and the outer courtyard wasn’t. To do so would defile what had been made holy.

We are the temple now. Our hearts are the Holy of Holies. We carry the presence of God, and the things He reveals to us in the secret place are sacred. Not everything God gives you is for public consumption. Some things are just for Him and you. Some things must be protected—not because they’re fragile, but because the world is reckless with what is sacred.

It’s about honor. God consistently rebuked Israel for treating sacred things casually. “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where is the honor and respect I deserve?” (Malachi 1:6, NLT).

We must not allow God and His holy things to be defiled. Jesus warned us not to throw our pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). When we parade what is holy before those who have no regard for it, it can be mocked, trampled, or worse—corrupted. Ezekiel 42:14 is a powerful reminder to discern what we carry and where we carry it.

And yet—we are still called to go out. We just go out differently. Like the priests, we change garments. We put on our “armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10–18), ready to walk among the people, protected, anointed, and wise. We carry the holiness within us, but we do not flaunt it—we guard it.

This is about more than tradition or outward reverence. It’s about guarding what’s holy—your time with God, your anointing, your calling, your worship, your witness. Pearls shouldn’t be tossed before swine. We don’t parade sacred things before people who have no heart to honor them. We walk boldly among the people in armor—but we store our priestly robes with care.

Holiness isn’t optional. It’s our identity in Christ. After all, Ezekiel 43:12 says, “And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness.” That is the standard for His house—and we are that house as He fills us and clothes us in His righteousness. 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes with God today and enter the Holy of Holies to commune with Him. Ask the Lord:

• “What do You want me to know about this today?”
  • Journal what He whispers by His Holy Spirit
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He whispers – then do it!

Let Him speak the truth of holiness to you as He tailors His instruction personally for you.

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Prayer

Lord, thank You for making me a temple of Your Spirit. Teach me how to honor the holy things You’ve entrusted to me. Give me wisdom to know what to share, what to guard, and how to walk in the world without compromising what is sacred. Let me wear Your armor with reverence and humility as I go about my day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.