Going the Right Way – Greg Laurie Devotion – February 9, 2026

Biblical Context

The Epistle to the Corinthians, penned by the Apostle Paul, addresses a vibrant yet deeply troubled church in the bustling Roman city of Corinth. Corinth was a major commercial hub, notorious for its wealth, diverse cultures, and rampant immorality, including widespread prostitution associated with the temple of Aphrodite. The Corinthian believers, many of whom were Gentiles, struggled to shed their pagan influences and live according to Christ’s teachings. Paul wrote this letter to correct various disorders within the church, including divisions, legal disputes, issues of sexual immorality, misuse of spiritual gifts, and theological misunderstandings about the resurrection. Specifically, 1 Corinthians 6 deals with the problem of believers engaging in sexual immorality and suing one another in pagan courts. Paul forcefully reminds them of their new identity in Christ and the sanctity of their bodies as members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit. This profound declaration in verses 19-20 serves as a foundational call to live a life that honors God in every aspect, particularly in purity and self-ownership, directly contrasting the prevailing Corinthian culture.

Key Word Study

Let us focus on the word “temple” from 1 Corinthians 6:19. The Greek word used here is naos (ναός). In ancient Greek culture, a naos referred to the inner sanctuary of a pagan temple, the most sacred space where the deity was believed to reside. This was distinct from the broader temple complex (hieron) which included courtyards and other structures. By using naos, Paul emphasizes the profound and intimate indwelling of the Holy Spirit within each believer. It signifies that the very presence of God, the Holy Spirit, makes our bodies a consecrated, holy place, a dwelling unfit for defilement. This elevates the human body to an unparalleled status of sacredness, far surpassing any physical structure or ritual, and underscores the gravity of any action that would dishonor this divine presence.

The Unpredictable GPS of Life

Life often feels like driving on an unfamiliar freeway, guided by a GPS that seems to have a mind of its own. Just when we expect a straightforward route, our internal ‘GPS’ might tell us to turn right at an unexpected off-ramp, then left, only to bring us back to the main road. We might ponder, “What was that all about? It makes no sense at all.” This mirrors our journey with God – full of unexpected detours and turns that defy human logic.

God’s Ancient Guidance System

The Israelites, journeying through the wilderness, experienced an amazing and unambiguous GPS system provided by the Lord. They were led by a fire by night and a cloud by day. The directive was remarkably simple: “When the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stopped, they stopped. At night, when the fire moved, they moved. When the fire stopped, they stopped.” This clear, visible guidance was their infallible compass in an otherwise desolate and bewildering landscape.

A Superior Covenant Guidance

Many of us might be tempted to think, “I wish I could have that kind of obvious guidance, because a lot of times I don’t know what I should do or where I should go.” This longing for clarity is natural. However, as believers under the New Covenant, we possess something infinitely better than a visible cloud or a pillar of fire. We have Christ Himself living in our hearts. Every single one of us who has placed our faith in Jesus Christ has God residing within us. We no longer require a dramatic fire in the sky to show us the way. Instead, “We have the fire of the Holy Spirit in our life, giving us the power to do what God has called us to do.” This internal, personal, and empowering guidance is superior because it transforms us from the inside out, making us active participants in God’s will, not just passive followers of external signs.

Surrendering Ownership to the Divine

A crucial realization for every believer is that we are not masters of our fate. We do not control our spiritual journey. The path of faith is not self-determined but God-directed. This profound truth is encapsulated by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, where he wrote, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 nlt). This passage powerfully reminds us that we are owned by God, purchased at the immense cost of Christ’s sacrifice. Our bodies, therefore, are not our own to do with as we please but are sacred vessels dedicated to His honor and purpose.

Trusting God’s Unseen Path

The Lord, as our divine GPS, will always lead us in the way that He wants us to go. This path, however, is not always immediately comprehensible to our finite minds. Sometimes His will won’t make sense to us. Sometimes it may seem as though God is trying to ruin all our fun. These moments of confusion or perceived hardship test our trust. Yet, with the hindsight that only time and divine revelation can provide, “in time we will realize that God knew what He was doing all along.” His wisdom far transcends our immediate understanding, and His plans are always for our ultimate good and His glory.

God’s Purpose Always Prevails

Unlike the GPS maps on our devices, we cannot simply plug in our desired destination coordinates for this life. That’s because we have no idea where it will take us. Despite this reality, human nature often compels us to try. We may attempt to plug in where we would like to end up or where we’re planning to end up. But as the old Yiddish expression sagely states, “Man plans, and God laughs.” The Scriptures echo this profound truth, as Proverbs 19:21 (niv) articulates: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while we can make our plans, God’s sovereign purpose is the ultimate determinant of our destiny.

The Infallibility of Divine Guidance

Our technological GPS devices, while incredibly helpful, aren’t always right; they can malfunction, misinterpret, or simply lead us astray. However, with God, there is no such fallibility. God is always right. God’s way is always the right way. This truth calls us to absolute trust, even when His path appears illogical, challenging, or contrary to our desires. The ultimate takeaway from this reflection is the challenge to deeply consider: How can you trust God’s way even when it doesn’t make sense to you? It is by remembering that the indwelling Holy Spirit is your personal, infallible guide, purchased at a high price, and committed to leading you in God’s perfect, prevailing purpose.