Spirit, soul, body

Willa · April 1, 2019

A point in our sermon tonight was about the Spiritual man, the Soulish or natural man, and the carnal or fleshly man.

That is the order they should be in: our spirits with the Holy Spirit should rule our soul/selfish/natural man and the flesh as well.

The natural man with all its education and selfishness should not rule over our spirits and our flesh. This person sometimes is void of compassion because he is so bound by his logic.

It is really chaos and sin when our flesh rules over our spirits and our intellect.

Fran C · November 9, 2019

On 4/1/2019 at 7:05 AM, Willa said:

A point in our sermon tonight was about the Spiritual man, the Soulish or natural man, and the carnal or fleshly man.

That is the order they should be in: our spirits with the Holy Spirit should rule our soul/selfish/natural man and the flesh as well.

The natural man with all its education and selfishness should not rule over our spirits and our flesh. This person sometimes is void of compassion because he is so bound by his logic.

It is really chaos and sin when our flesh rules over our spirits and our intellect.

Hi Willa,,,

this is right on target...

The following image demonstrates what you've stated.

Our spirit does indeed have an effect on our soul and even our body.

JohnD · December 28, 2019

If what I believe is true, then the body and spirit are distinct... separate natures,,, of

two totally different realities...

The soul (which is a hybrid of the two) is a buffer between the two realities.

It only exists when and where the two (body and spirit) coexist or overlap (so to speak).

If true,

it would also resolve some vexing scripture passages about our state in death.

That we:

A. continue after death in conscious awareness

B. fall asleep (cease to function) and return to dust via decay

C. that we cease to exist

Death being defined as the absence of the spirit from the body...

A. the spirit continues in conscious awareness in the disembodied state

B. the body no longer functions and appears to be asleep but begins the process of decay at once

C. the soul ceases to exist as there is no longer a coexisting overlap of the two realities

In the resurrection, we will become spirit bodies (the two realities become the new reality).

1 Corinthians 15:44–45 (AV)
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1 John 3:2 (AV)
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

A like fusion of two realities will also be in the New Heavens and New Earth since our resurrected bodies will be like his

and we will be with the Lord eternally...

I believe the old Heavens and old Earth will be replaced with a composite the New Heaven-Earth.

We will be like him in our resurrected bodies, but

we will not be as gods (like the Mormons and others mistakenly believe)

we will only be like the human nature of the resurrected Christ

in our resurrected human nature.

Blessings.

enoob57 · December 28, 2019

When born the inner man is dead and the only resource is through the senses of body...

when born again the inner man is created by God's entrance into the deadness...

Rev 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Eph 3:16
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
KJV

There is a growth process of renewing the mind (completely)

Rom 12:2

2 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.
KJV

Satan has been restructuring the created world by ideology and system to make the created essence everything for this was the lie he formed in himself in his own departure from truth

Isa 14:12-15

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
KJV

The New Born Being that we have become in s/Spirit, the soul (mind, will and emotion) now aligns itself to that which is being kept as to the only real and important value due to God's value system...

Col 2:7

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
KJV

1 Peter 2:5

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
KJV
Where once the physical food was everything that has been replaced by The Word of God (as Christ in the temptation)

Matt 4:4

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
KJV

as our lives everything and this witness of Paul

Gal 2:20

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
KJV
Realizing faith

Heb 11:1-3
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
KJV
summary of thought process:
We are not of this world and we are alien to it's desires and as we grow this increases in war with our own selves as the body wants it's pleasures in this death but the inner man has another life not yet here and to live in this faith the only recourse whereby The Holy Spirit is not grieved....

Col 3:1-4

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
KJV

missmuffet · January 12, 2020

Works of the flesh are in total contrast to the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

A Christian 1985 · January 23, 2020

Chapter Four

WHAT IS MAN?

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

(Psalms 8:4)

I. THE PARTS OF MAN

A. A Physical Body

It should be obvious to the reader that we all have physical bodies, which contain our being and with which we contact the physical world that we live in. But what about that which is not so obvious: the parts of our being that are contained within our physical bodies? Many, many philosophies and schools of thought have come and gone in continuing efforts by man to understand and describe himself. Can man possibly be objective about himself? Obviously not! Would it not be both more objective and useful to find out what man's Creator has to say about man?

B. The Human Soul (See Appendix III.)

... and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire ... (I Thess. 5:23)

Man is a three‑part being, having not only a physical body but also a soul and a spirit. What does our soul encompass, and what is our soul composed of?

My soul continually thinks ... (Lam. 3:20 Revised Standard Version).

. . And that my soul knoweth ... (Psalm 139:14)

As these verses show, the mind is one of the parts of the soul.

And my soul shall be joyful in Jehovah: It shall rejoice in his salvation. (Psalm 35:9)

... my soul shall weep ... (Jer . 13:17)

Tell me, 0 thou whom my soul loveth ... (SS. 1:7)

And if your soul abhor ... (Lev. 26:15)

The emotions are another part of the soul.

Our soul hath waited ... (Ps. 33:201.

So that my soul chooseth ... [Job 7:16).

All of the verbs in these verses are actions resulting directly from decisions, which are the expression of the will, the third part of the soul. Our soul is composed of these three parts: the mind, the emotion, and the will. The mind is the organ with which we reason and evaluate. With our emotions we express in the physical world how we feel about things that affect us. By the exercise of our will we decide, thus directing our actions, which express our being.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom. (Ps 61:61

What are the inward parts?

I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it ...(Jer.: 31:33).

I will put my laws into their mind, and on their heart also will I write them.... (Heb 8:10).

By comparing these two verses, we see that the mind is one of the inward parts. What are the other ones? As we will see, the other parts

are the emotions and the will, the inward parts being a reference to the soul. But what is the hidden part?

C. The Human Spirit

But there is a spirit in man …(Job 32:8)

... Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. (Zech. 12:1)

This verse in Zechariah not only places the importance of the human spirit on the same level with the creation of the heavens and the earth, but also indicates that the creation of the heavens and the earth is for the purpose of the forming of the spirit in man. Why does God consider the human spirit to be so important?

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two‑edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

It is clear from this verse that the "hidden part" in our being must be our human spirit. Few people realize the strategic importance of the human spirit. Most people simply are unaware that they have a spirit, and too many of those who are aware fail to differentiate it from the soul. Our soul surrounds and tightly masks our spirit, as the bones (joints) contain and cover up the marrow; but these are absolutely two distinctly different parts of our being, which we must distinguish between. Why? It is with and through our physical body that we experience and live in the physical world. It is with our soul that we live in and experience the psychological world (The word 'psychology' is derived from the root of the Greek, which is translated as 'soul' in the New Testament). Only with our human spirit can we contact the spiritual world. You can no more contact and experience spiritual reality with your mind, emotions, or will, than you can with your physical body. With the importance of the human spirit in mind, let us now examine what its functions are.

The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. (Rom. 8:16)

... my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 9:1)

By comparing these two verses, it is apparent that one of the functions of our spirit is our conscience. Our conscience is more than a sense of morals or ethics. These vary from culture to culture whereas the functioning of the conscience is the same in everyone.

To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. (Titus 1:15)

There is, however, a direct relationship between our conscience and our mind. Our mind is intended to express our conscience. Thus, it is our mind that is affected by and aware of the functioning of our conscience.

Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and man always. (Acts 24:16)

To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

In their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them; (Rom 2:16).

The interrelationship of our mind and conscience is such that, if we do something that is wrong according to our mind (in which is the domain of ethics and morality), then our conscience will be defiled also. However, just because something that we do is right according to our mind does not at all mean that our conscience will approve.

For our glory is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you‑ward. (2 Cor. 1:12)

I must strongly reiterate; our conscience is more than merely a sense of right and wrong; it is the very expression of divine approval or disapproval.

With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee earnestly ... (Isa. 26:9)

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3:3 KJV)

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24 New American Standard Bible)

What is true worship and why must it be done in and with our human spirit?

... yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: (1 John 1:3)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:14)

Another function of our spirit is to enable us to have fellowship (communion) with God (whose essence is spirit). It is because our spirit also has this function that man is able to contact and come into the very presence of God. What part of the soul is this function expressed through?

And Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. (Luke 1:46‑47)

Because her soul was expressing (magnifying) the Lord (and not herself), Mary's fellowship with God in her spirit was expressed by her soul. With regards to this, notice the verb tenses: doth (present) and hath (past). Firstly, Mary was in contact (fellowship) with God in her spirit, and this fellowship was then expressed through her soul. But what part of her soul: what part of our soul rejoices? Our emotion is the part of our soul that expresses our fellowship (or lack of) with God. Just as the soul has three parts, so we should expect the spirit to have three functions. What is the third function of our spirit?

For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? (1 Cor. 2‑11)

... that ye maybe filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Col. 1:9)

The other function of our spirit is the intuition, by means of which we may know directly what God's will is at all times and in any given situation. The intuition of our Spirit is expressed through our will.

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go to Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. (Acts 16:7 KJV)

Notice here that the disciples decided (assayed with their will) to go into Bithynia, but this decision on their part was contrary to the Spirit's will. How did they know that this was so? Did the Spirit send some outward signs to let them know? No! The disciples contacted their human spirit and by the intuitive function of their spirit knew what God's will was.

In illustrating the parts and functions of our being, I have thus far confined my documentation to Scriptural references. I will try not to ask the reader to accept anything at face value in this book. Therefore, let us now see what relevant evidence concerning the soul and spirit may be found in the scientific evaluations of our physical universe.

As he studied thousands of patients, experimenting with electrical stimulation of the brain, he finally concluded that the mind was totally independent of the brain. ³³

A purely mechanistic (and therefore anti‑spiritual) view of the universe requires that the mind be equal to and contained by the brain. The mechanistic view holds and requires that the mind be nothing more than the electrochemical equivalent of a computer, with all of its manifestations limited to and explainable by purely physical laws. Such is not the case. An excellent book documenting relevant scientific evidence in this area of discussion and that of Section Three of this chapter is Man in Adam and in Christ, by Arthur Custance. I do not have the space to quote the findings documented in Mr. Custance's book. However, I shall give a summary of current scientific thought on this subject. Anyone with any doubts about this or about what I have to say in Section Three should read this book.

SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTA-TION IN THE FIELD OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY:

The mind, although expressed through the brain, is not limited to or contained by the brain. Although specific memories can be activated by stimulation of specific tissue sites, removal of these areas sequentially does not affect the corresponding memory, whereas removal in one radical operation does produce a degree of impairment. The neuronic capacity of the brain is woefully inadequate to contain the memory of the mind, on a mechanistic basis. The brain would have to be approximately 1,500 times larger than it is in order to accommodate the mind by mechanistic means. Further, total removal (sequentially) of the cerebral cortex in laboratory animals up to and including animals us complex as dogs has not affected the memory of the animals. ³⁴

What, then, is the soul, if it is not a physical existence?

He (W. Whately Smith) contended that there is a fourth dimension that our self‑awareness goes into that is not a part of our three‑dimensional world, and that dreams were the best example of it.³⁵

In his special theory of relativity, published in 1905, Einstein put forth a strange but inescapable conclusion: Space and time cannot always be treated as separate and distinct entities. Rather, in their more general manifestations, they are thoroughly mixed together in an "apples and oranges" fashion to form a space‑time continuum that can only be described with a fully interwoven complement of four equivalent dimensions- three of space and one of time. ³⁶

It is my contention that the soul is a nonphysical fourth‑dimensional existence, existing in and through the dimension of time. Just as the fourth dimension of time is inextricably linked to the three dimensions of space, so our soul is inextricably linked to our physical body. All living things have souls. This is a Scriptural, as well as scientific (by the definition of soul), fact. The level of complexity of the soul of a particular organism can be evaluated by the level of complexity of its brain, which expresses the mind, the leading part of the soul. The more complex the soul, the less its entrophy, and the longer it will exist through time. If my supposition concerning the soul is correct, then we should expect that the more complex the brain of an organism, the longer would be its life span. This is generally the case. Why are there exceptions, such as turtles? Again, just as time is inextricably linked to the three dimensions of space, so is our soul linked to our physical bodies. The exceptions to the rule, therefore, should all be organisms with significantly lower metabolic rates ‑ lower than the average rate for organisms with their brain/body ratio. Why should this be the case? The faster the metabolic rate the higher the entrophic rate. An organism with a high metabolic rate may have a complex brain yet be relatively short‑lived since it will die when its body wears out. Conversely, an organism with a slow metabolic rate may have a simple brain yet have a relatively long life span. If I am correct, and, of two different types of organisms whose metabolic rates are roughly equal, the one whose brain is more complex will have the longer life span. Also, of two different organisms whose brains are of roughly equal complexity the one with the lower metabolic rate will have the longer life span. As far as my knowledge of the field of physiology goes, this is always the case. Lastly, the soul's being an existence in the fourth dimension of time would explain many (and probably all) currently inexplicable animal behavior phenomena; for example: the instantaneous changes of direction by all of the members of a flock of birds.

I fully subscribe to the judgement of those writers who maintain that of all the differences between man and the lower animals, the moral sense or conscience is by far the most important.³⁹

What, then, is the human spirit? Before I knew anything about the Bible and before I had had any actual experiential awareness of my spirit, I had concluded (on the basis of investigation in several different fields) that I had a spirit. My knowledge of it was purely theoretical; all that I knew was that it was eternal, not temporal. The only thread of evidence I had to follow was that, mathematically, there seemed to me to be a connection between infinity and eternity. It seemed logical to me that something actually (not theoretically) infinite would have to be eternal and that something eternal must also be infinite. At this point I stumbled across an assertion of the nineteenth century Christian mystic and philosopher William Blake. His assertion was that infinity extended inward (within man) and finity extended outward (from man). At the time that Blake made this assertion, the telescope had opened the field of astronomy and it was then the prevailing opinion of the astronomers of his time that the universe was infinite.

Perhaps the first clear statement of the modern view was that of Nicholas of Cusa (1401‑1464), a cardinal of the Church, who had particularly striking ideas for his time. He thought that space was infinite and that there was no center to the universe.... The English mathematician Thomas Digges (1543‑1595) did espouse views like those of Nicholas of Cuss, and in 1575 maintained not only infinite space, but also an infinite number of stars spread evenly throughout it. Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno (1548‑1600) also argued the same view, and did so in so undiplomatic and contentious a manner that he was finally burned at the stake in Rome for his heresies. ³⁸

Since that time, however, science has shown that the universe is “unbounded" (a mathematical term), but finite. Thus, one‑half of William Blake's assertion was shown to be true. I doubted that the other half, involving infinity, could be proven by the objective verification that finity had been. Therefore, I expected instead to find indications of its truth without any contraindications. This is indeed the case. It is pretty common knowledge that, mathematically, between any two distinct points on a line, there will always be another distinct point, down to an infinitely small size, producing an infinite number of points. In the field of particle physics, the smallness of particles is limited only by the powers of observation possible and infinitely small size is not precluded by any theory. So the existence of the human spirit seems to have its correlations in, and is indicated by, the laws of our four‑dimensional universe. But what was it? I was forced to assume that it must be a fifth‑dimensional existence. In the process of researching material for the documentation of this book, I came across substantiation of this, quite unexpectedly.

One can take "immortality" to mean a "right‑angled turn," away from the axis of time, and a subsequent progression orthogonal to it along the vaguely time like, fifth‑dimensional axis. This would be a kind of "spirit'' existence: time, and maybe matter and space, would be meaningless.... That is, "heaven" might be a fuller, five‑dimensional universe in which our ordinary four‑dimensional one is embedded.³⁹

It should be pointed out that the idea of a fifth dimension is not in any way a new one to the field of physics. In attempts at a better formulation of general relativity, physicist Kaluza, as far back as 1921, assumed an extra dimension. But Kaluza's fifth dimension had no direct physical significance.⁴⁰

Resurrection Priest · February 5, 2020

The ancients really had no conception of the central nervous system, of neuro-chemicals experienced as emotions, of electrical impulses recorded as memories.

I think we need to figure out (best we can) what the ancient Bible writers meant by their use of words like "soul" and "spirit".

Did Jesus use those words? How did He use those words?

If God "breathed" into Adam's nostrils "the spirit", and Adam then "became a living soul", does that mean Adam was no longer a "soul" AFTER the spirit returned "to God who gave it?"

It almost seems as if NT writers used "soul" and "spirit" differently from how OT writers used those words. At creation man became a soul. Later on, man "has" a soul, referred to repeatedly as "my soul". He also personally possesses, or at least personally experiences his own "spirit". The words "my spirit" are used quite often.

I noticed that GOD also has a soul. HE used "My soul" several times, speaking to OT prophets.

GOD also has a spirit. HE spoke of "My spirit."

How is GOD's spirit, different from that of a human being? How is His soul, different from a human soul?

Resurrection Priest · February 5, 2020

Here's Jesus:

Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart (kardia), with all your soul, and with all your mind (dianoia).’”

Your mind” is not all there is of “you”. You have “your heart” and “your soul”.

Jesus quoting Lev 19:18; Deut 6:5, Deut 10:12, Deut 30:6.

Mark 12:30 “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.”

It looks like "your strength" refers to voluntary bodily functions.

Luke 10:27 “So he answered and said, ‘`You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and`your neighbor as yourself.'’”

Mark 12:33 “And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

I don't see the word "spirit" used in any of these texts quoting Jesus.

If Jesus is saying "love the LORD with all of yourself - then a "self" (a person) consists of body - mind - heart - soul.

The "mind" would be the thoughts, the "understanding", those things I choose to think about.

The "heart" would be the emotions, or desires.

What is the "soul"? Is it the "self"? The being designed for God's indwelling, and for everlasting life?

A Christian 1985 · February 9, 2020

truthseekersasciencespiritual.blogspot.com/

Chapter Four

WHAT IS MAN?

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

(Psalms 8:4)

I. THE PARTS OF MAN

A. A Physical Body

It should be obvious to the reader that we all have physical bodies, which contain our being and with which we contact the physical world that we live in. But what about that which is not so obvious: the parts of our being that are contained within our physical bodies? Many, many philosophies and schools of thought have come and gone in continuing efforts by man to understand and describe himself. Can man possibly be objective about himself? Obviously not! Would it not be both more objective and useful to find out what man's Creator has to say about man?

B. The Human Soul (See Appendix III.)

... and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire ... (I Thess. 5:23)

Man is a three‑part being, having not only a physical body but also a soul and a spirit. What does our soul encompass, and what is our soul composed of?

My soul continually thinks ... (Lam. 3:20 Revised Standard Version).

. . And that my soul knoweth ... (Psalm 139:14)

As these verses show, the mind is one of the parts of the soul.

And my soul shall be joyful in Jehovah: It shall rejoice in his salvation. (Psalm 35:9)

... my soul shall weep ... (Jer . 13:17)

Tell me, 0 thou whom my soul loveth ... (SS. 1:7)

And if your soul abhor ... (Lev. 26:15)

The emotions are another part of the soul.

Our soul hath waited ... (Ps. 33:201.

So that my soul chooseth ... [Job 7:16).

All of the verbs in these verses are actions resulting directly from decisions, which are the expression of the will, the third part of the soul. Our soul is composed of these three parts: the mind, the emotion, and the will. The mind is the organ with which we reason and evaluate. With our emotions we express in the physical world how we feel about things that affect us. By the exercise of our will we decide, thus directing our actions, which express our being.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom. (Ps 61:61

What are the inward parts?

I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it ...(Jer.: 31:33).

I will put my laws into their mind, and on their heart also will I write them.... (Heb 8:10).

By comparing these two verses, we see that the mind is one of the inward parts. What are the other ones? As we will see, the other parts are the emotions and the will, the inward parts being a reference to the soul. But what is the hidden part?