It’s study time saints/soldier’s/overcomers of God.
The differentiation of the spirit and soul as well as the difference in their functions are necessary knowledge to those who seek to grow in spiritual life.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 shows that man is divided into three parts. It mentions that we have not only a body, but a soul and a spirit. What scriptures tells us how to divide the soul and spirit? And how do we divide the spirit and soul?
Genesis 2:7 What has happened in this scripture?
John 6:63 How does this relate to Genesis 2:7?
Job 33:4 What does it say?
Functions of the spirit, soul and body:
My body: gives me world consciousness
My soul: self consciousness
My spirit: God consciousness
God dwells in the spirit, self dwells in the soul, while senses dwell in the body.
Of these three elements the spirit is the noblest for it joins with God. The body is the lowest for it contacts with matter. The soul lying between them joins the two together and also takes their character to be its own. It is intended that the lowest, body, be subjected to the spirit and the highest, the spirit, may govern the body through the soul. It is only when the soul is willing to assume a humble position that the spirit can ever manage the whole man. If the soul rebels against taking such a position the spirit will be powerless to rule.
God’s desire is that the spirit of man should control the whole being. Yet, the will- the crucial part of individuality-belongs to the soul. It is the will which determines whether the spirit, the body or even itself is to rule. In view of the fact that the soul possesses such power and is the organ of man’s individuality, the bible calls man “a living soul”.
Man has a Spirit:
1 Corinthians 2:11 1 Corinthians 14:14 1 Corinthians 14:32
1 Corinthians 5:4 Proverbs 25:28 Hebrews 12:23
Romans 8:16 Zechariah 12:1 Genesis 41:8
Judges 8:3 Proverbs 17:22 Isaiah 29:24 Isaiah 65:14
The spirit is not man’s mind, his will or his emotion; on the contrary, it includes the functions of the conscience, intuition and communion. It is here in the spirit that God regenerates us, teaches us, and leads us into His rest. But sad to say, due to long years of bondage to the soul many Christians know very little of their spirit. We ought to tremble before God, asking him to teach us through experience what is spiritual and what is soulish.
Study to show yourself approved unto God. a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Next week we will look at more scriptures concerning the three parts of the spirit.
Your sister in Christ,
Rosita
