You need Soul-Power :-)

by Pastor Moh |  May 1, 2013

DISCERNING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY

 

Gen 2:7: (KJV) “And the LORD God formed (“yastar” - Hebrew) man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Most people have a difficult time understanding the difference between their soul and their spirit. So, to my family at TSH, I would like to give a Biblical answer so that you may know the truth and live into the truth as the Holy Spirit lives through you, and guides your life!

In Genesis 1-2, on the sixth and final day of creation, God created all the animals, and then He created humankind. Even though man was an entirely different species from any other living creature, his body was formed from the dust of the earth just as the animals body was formed from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7).  However, there were major differences between man and the other animals, the primary one being that man was made in God’s image in spirit, and given a soul and body.

Genesis 2:7 - “God formed man out of dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living creature,” as “and man became “ruaĥ memallelah” (in Hebrew), which means “a speaking spirit.” Because we can think and speak, we can imagine a world different from the one that currently exists. Hence,

1.      With his spirit Adam communed and shared his life with God in unbroken fellowship.

2.    With his soul, Adam had the awesome intellect to operate the Earth as its overseer. He possessed emotions to admire the sunrise and the sunset, and to feel affection toward his wife. He had the willpower to choose what he would do as he walked on the Earth as its king.

3.    With his body, Adam was able to experience the living reality of our physical universe with his God-given five senses (see, hear, feel, smell & taste).

As long as Adam lived by his spirit in communion with God, and was led by the spirit in communion with God, he had perfect fellowship with God, with his environment, and with himself. He was a whole person, well adjusted and supremely happy. Hence, the Bible makes a clear distinction between our soul and our spirit. The Word not only distinguishes a person's spirit from his or her soul, but it also teaches us the difference between them:

·        The Lord Jesus states in Mark 12:28-31 that we must love God with our soul:  “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

·        In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prayed for the Thessalonians: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

·        Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

·        In Luke 1:46-47, after Elizabeth had greeted her and confirmed her having conceived the Messiah, Mary sang, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."


1.     At the core, we have a spirit. It is the relational, worshipful, living center of the human personality, connected to God by Christ in the Holy Spirit.

2.   Surrounding the spirit, we have a soul. It is the command center of the human personality, which includes intellect, emotions, and will.

3.     Supporting and supported by both spirit and soul, each of us has a body.

Your soul, the  DECISION-MAKER, determines what of your new life will be… it sits in the driver's seat…. If the soul is unhealthy in any way by reason of past habits, pains, or needed repairs, your whole body, mind and soul will be unhealthy and painful.

At the seat of your identity and will, your soul functions as the command center. What goes on in your soul determines the extent to which the Lord’s WORD and WAY manifest in the whole of your being. If there is brokenness or sickness in your soul, it may NOT mean your damnation, but it will cause bad sinful behaviors in your daily life – a life of sin and bad habits!

Your soul includes three essential facets and functions. These comprise your essential personality:

1. Your intellect-the processes of your intelligence, your mind, your thoughts

2. Your emotions-the processes of your temperament, your feelings, your attitudes

3. Your will-the processes of your choice, your determination, your decisions

Most of what lures, drives, attracts, convinces, persuades, or motivates you is generated at the thought (intellect) or feeling (emotions) level. The health of your souls determines your overall spiritual formation and mental health. The human will is the most awesome feature of your soul and of your whole being. Your will determines your destiny. By reason of your will, your soul functions as the command center for your whole personality. What goes on in your soul determines how you feel today (your emotions). What goes on in your soul determines if you will learn today (with your intellect) those lessons you must know to grow in the understanding of the Lord, obey Him and make the necessary changes (Romans 12:1-2).

Daily decisions determine which feelings you need to respond to or reject in order to obey the will of God, and which attitudes or facts you need to process in your mind according to the Holy Spirit's directives. All of this is going on today in your soul. How your mind and emotions interact generate decisions will either deepen your problems or release your progress-in-Christ...It is essential for your soul to be restored (Psalm 23:3). Your re-born spirit may make it possible for you to worship God, but your rebuilt soul will determine your freedom in life, your service for Christ to others, your fulfillment, peace, and joy.

 

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Reference:

  • Jack Hayford. Rebuilding the Real You: The Definitive Guide to the Holy Spirit's Work in Your Life. Kindle Edition.
  • http://www.cleansingstream-australia.org/pdfs/THE_FINGER_OF_GOD.pdf