Dividing Soul and Spirit

For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword,

it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

 joints and marrow; it judges

the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

It takes an action of the Lord to separate soul and spirit. The "soul man" is with us from birth, but the "spirit man" is activated at the time when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives.(1)  The "body man" comes, making a threesome and is often referred to as "the flesh". At the time when we pass from this earth, the body man remains and the soul and spirit are instantly united with Christ.(2)

Jesus says in John 6:63 "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." Although we are to care for our bodies, keeping them healthy and not abusing them, they are not the source of our eternal life.(3) The word of God ministers to our spirit and carries the truth. (4) We are told to choose life!(5)

Because our "soul man" has been around much longer than our "spirit man", initially he tries to be in control.(6) He is the source of  thoughts, mind, and emotion. Upon receiving the Holy Spirit, the sinful nature comes under the divine nature of the Lord. As time goes on, both the spirit and the soul merge into a beautiful symphony with harmony of intents and interests. One's desire should be to be seen in the image of the person described in 1 Thessalonians 5:23.  "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

In any given moment on any given day, one of the three divisions, spirit, soul, or body are leading and guiding decisions and behavior. If excessive appetite, addictions, perversions, or physical desires are on the forefront, it is evident that the "body man" is taking charge. This is not to say that one would want to ignore the natural requirement of sustenance, nutrition, sleep, and other needs of the body. Simply put, do not depend on the human body as it cannot save you. (7)

The "spirit man" is the one we are instructed to walk in. (8) We are to seek the will of the Lord, that which is good, pleasing and perfect. (9)  If we seek His righteous teachings, He will show us the paths to walk (10) and teach us His ways so we will stay on those paths. (11) It will be evident to the world around us that we are walking in the spirit when the fruits flow forth. The "spirit man" will exhibit "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

As the "soul man" learns to fall in behind the "spirit man" in obedience to the Lord, a sweet spirit begins to emerge. No longer is there conflict between spirit and soul. The spirit of the Lord transforms the spirit of man and takes it from glory to glory. (13) As the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians, "There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (14) Although we are divided in spirit and soul, we are called to bring them all in line under the authority of the Holy Spirit. We are called to be sanctified by the blood of Christ, the Messiah.

As we present ourselves to the world, we are read and measured by those we encounter. (15) Just as we are washed by the blood of our Lord, let our spirits be cleansed and refreshed and like a drink of cool water to the world we encounter. Drink from the living water of the word of truth daily and your spirit will reflect the image of God. Allow Him to wrap His banner around spirit, soul, and body to present you holy and pleasing. "Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." (16)

 

 

(1) John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God! That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(2) Luke 23:42-43 And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

(3) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

(4) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

(5) Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed;

(6) Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

(7) Philippians 3:3 for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

(8) Romans 8:10-11 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

(9), (16) Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(10) Psalms 143:10-12 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

(11) Isaiah 2:3 He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.

(12) Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

(13) 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.

(14) Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

(15) 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men; being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh.

Thank you to my mentor, Betty Chavez, for presenting this concept to me and my Sunday School class.