Body, Soul, & Spirit

 

  When we hear the phrase “body, soul, and spirit” we can think of man as a living (mortal) being trinity, just as the “Father, Son and the Holy Spirit” would be the full (immortal) Godhead Trinity. Another example would be the three facets of water being liquid, vapor, and ice. Man is broken down into three parts that need to live in “peace and harmony” with each other sanctified by God. And the God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23). With the help of the Holy Spirit, we need to try our best to remain pure and devoted to God until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now lets break down the three parts of man that I like to refer to as: The Body (your physical makeup), The Soul (your unique self), The Spirit (the intellect or center of the soul, your thought process, the mind).

  First we have the “body” Strong’s Greek dictionary G4982 (Soma), the body (as a sound whole), your physical makeup in human form. A spiritual temple of the living God if you will. Know ye not that your body is the temple of the “Holy Spirit” which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19). You body belongs to God who gave  it to you, and is to be a home for the “Holy Spirit” to dwell within. Exercising the body and good nutrition is essential in a long healthy life. However, to be absent of this body (in death), means to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8). That is why we should not fear death.

  Now lets take a look at the soul. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7). This word “soul” Strong’s Hebrew dictionary H5315 (Nephesh), a living breathing creature, (your-self as an individual person). Your unique personality if you will. We are all different in this manner as God intended us to be. There are no two people exactly alike when it comes to your soul (or self), not even identical twins. Everyone has their own special gifts given to us by God, and we are all here for a purpose in life. You just need to find your special gifts in life and use them to the best of your ability.

  Now we come to the spirit. The word “spirit” Strong’s Greek dictionary G4151 (Pneuma), breath, rational soul, mental disposition, mind, (Your thought process and the center of the soul). You can have a good spirit (sound just mind), or an evil spirit (disturbed evil mind). What you put into your mind is usually what will come out of your mind in your thoughts and actions. We need to exercise the spirit (or mind), just as we need to exercise our physical bodies. How do we do this? With good information, meditation, and especially the study of God’s Word. At times we need to renew our mind to get it back on the right track. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2). Do not always conform to the wisdom and ways of this world, but rather the ways of Jesus Christ. Remember that all wisdom comes from God. (Proverbs 2:6, 9:10, Colossians 2:2). As a productive whole and to keep right with God, we need to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16). Listen to the spirit and you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to do.
 
  Does our spirit ever die? No, The body without the spirit is dead (James 2:26), but your soul and spirit belong to God, and return to Him when you die. (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Ezekiel 18:4). The spirit and soul can live forever. (Psalm 22:26, John 6:51, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Only God can kill both the body and soul. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28). Our Heavenly Father is the God of the living and offers us all eternal life who believe in Him. (John 3:15). I will end with one of the most important scriptures in the bible. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). It is all yours for the taking, eternal life in paradise with a new spirit body that will never die. Everlasting life with Jesus Christ and the whole family of God.

Keep The Faith,
Barton