Soul and Spirit

[Catsmeow]

What exactly is the difference between the soul and the spirit of a man?

I haven't found anything in scripture to explain exactly what they are...

I have been "told" that the spirit is the mind, will and emotions of a man but I sure can't find anything in scripture that actually tells us what the soul is or what the spirit is.

I only find conjecture by human beings...and they seem to disagree with each other.

I kinda thought that we have a "spirit body" that separates from the physical body at time of death.

I figured that the "soul" was a permanent recording of our mental capacity that goes with the spirit at time of "departure".

But I can't find anything in scripture to substantiate that.

I'd appreciate ANY enlightenment on this subject...

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Catsmeow,

God breathed into man and he became a "living soul". This is the -life force- given to every man & woman at birth. Without it we would remain a hunk of dirt. The combination of the dirt and breath of God, create a vehicle or "tent" wherein dwells a "spirit". This is the core of everyone's personal motivation, desire, bent whether it be for good or evil. The spirit is what is behind the human "psyche". It is the one that is eternal, it is the one that shall inhabit our "new" bodies". The "breath of life" returns to God who gave it, but the destination of the "spirit" is dependent upon whether it has died to self and received the Holy Spirit, this spirit will see God, the unregenerate spirit will see the Lake of Fire.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Guest idolsmasher]

The spirit without the body is a spirit. Spirit and body is soul sistaaa!

[Catsmeow]

DE: It says in Genesis that man became a living soul but it doesn't say what that is exactly.

You said it was a life force ...but what is that? If God breathes into a person and makes them a living soul, it is because He elected to give them life to begin with.

What happens when "clones" are developed? Do they having souls? Do they have spirits? Or are they souless or spiritless?

[Guest idolsmasher]

I believe it is the spirit that gives the flesh life so they can't be alive without it.

[Catsmeow]

Smash: I think that's true because I have heard of the spirit "separating" from the body in Near Death Experiences...and the person can hover above their bodies for a time or enter into a tunnel of light...

I say this because my husband had a serious accident that brought him to the ER and he saw the "tunnel"...but was returned to his own body.

It seems that this "spirit body" can see, hear, think and feel...

[Catsmeow]

I found these verses in the New Living Translation fascinating>....

2 Corinthians 12:1-4

1 This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord. 2 I was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. 3 Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don't know; only God knows. 4 But I do know that I was caught up into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told.

[Guest LCPGUY]

Cats,

I believe that the soul is the tangible thinkg and reasoning part of our physical and electrical makeup. It directs our responses. It is reflected in our thinking and personality in general. When we die physically, it does too.

The spirit is that eternal part of us that is in communication with the Holy Spirit. Our spirit also has the cpability to hear the doctrines of demons as it is able to communicate with the spirt realm.

"The spirit is willing, but the flesh (soul) is weak".

When we die physically, it is our spirit that is present with the Lord.

Just my 2

[WayneB]

My understanding in regards to the body, soul and spirit of man -- (speaking as a believer) is as follows:

The body is our flesh , the vessel that houses are true self. It is in a state of deterioration and will die at some point. Someday, when the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is established on the new earth, our spirit will be housed in a new perfect body...something that even Job came to realize.

Job 19: 25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God ; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Our spirit is the true self , that which will go to be with the Father when the flesh returns to dust. It is that which was God breathed into the body...the breath of life that gives true life.

Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life , and the man became a living being.

The soul is our conscience

[WayneB]

I found these verses in the New Living Translation fascinating>....

2 Corinthians 12:1-4

1 This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord. 2 I was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. 3 Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don't know; only God knows. 4 But I do know that I was caught up into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told.

Intriguing to say the least!

Either way, the two...both body and spirit...were always connected, never separated. Paul just wasn