Body, Soul, and Spirit

Pastor Andy Freeman

What are we? The first human, Adam was formed from the earthly elements, and became a living being by receiving the breath of God, not pro-creation as of today through other human beings. The body we see is made up of flesh and bones. But the body that you see in the mirror and dress each day is actually not the real you, the real you is your soul and your spirit. Your body is the vehicle that carries and houses your soul and spirit man.

Genesis 1:26-27 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Why did God use the plural form, ‘let us’ make people in our image? It was a reference to God the Father, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. All of whom are God called the trinity.

So, your flesh and bone, your body are a vehicle to move your soul and spirit from one place to another like your car. If you have been redeemed by Christ Jesus, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

When we give our life to Jesus, our body is not only to move you from point A to point B but also the home or temple of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Once you make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life your spirit will be sealed by the Holy Spirit. With the acceptance of Jesus, the Holy Spirit sanctifies and purifies your spirit so the Holy Spirit will have a sin free temple to abide in.

Your soul is quite different than your body and your spirit, you cannot see your soul. It is on the inside and makes us who we are; our personality. Our soul is made up of three parts: your mind, your will, and your emotions. Your mind, will and emotions will operate on carnal knowledge until you give your life to Jesus it will operate on wisdom through God and the Holy Spirit.

Your mind is what you think with consciously, your emotions are how we feel subconsciously, either good or bad, the thoughts and feeling effect your will. Your will is what you want or do, or your desires. However, you must be careful in this area this is a place Satan will battle you and deceive you if he can.

Ephesians 6:12 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Paul is not only giving this counsel just to the church, but to all individuals within the church. As you do battle with the powers of darkness, light is the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.

John 10:10 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Satan comes to kill steal and destroy the word, our joy, and our righteous thoughts. The battle ground is in our minds. The way you think will change your spiritual life.

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

As we are renewed in the spirit of our mind, we must not be driven by impulse, we must put on the new nature, head in the new direction and have the new way of thinking that comes from the Holy Spirit. Renewing our minds with the word of God or the Bible.

Your mind is how you think; your will is what you do; and how you do it, as your mind dictates it. If you don’t renew your mind daily with the word, and protect it, Satan will steal the word and your ‘will’ won’t know the right way to respond. Your will only responds to how you think. If you are filled with the spirit and the things of God, your ‘will’, can operate on that spiritual knowledge.

If you are not born again and focus on worldly things, then your ‘will’, operates on natural knowledge, which is open to the deception of Satan. Jesus gave his will to God.

John 6:38-40 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Again, we see where our “will” is something that we do; Jesus came down from Heaven, not to do his own “will” but to do his Fathers, ‘Gods’ “will”. God sent Jesus so that if we believe on Him, ‘Jesus’, we would have everlasting life.

What will you do with your free will, what choices will you make? As Christians we are called to be “Like” Christ. Will you submit your will to God’s will as Jesus did?

Your emotions are a strange part of the human soul. Sometimes they can be very calm, and other times in a rage. We often label different emotions into a common group. Like, happy or sad. We forget to experience that emotion for what it is.

Negative emotions can literally control our lives in a bad way, but positive emotions are always the same, happy, full of love, confident, and leads us into a joyful, relaxed life.

Positive emotions can be created with positive thinking, self-motivation, self-esteem, and personal development. It all comes back to how you think. Your mind, influences your will and your emotions which make up the essence of who you are, or your soul.

Your spirit is your inner man that abides in God’s word, it is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. When your body dies, your Spirit will return to God and never die. This is eternal life.

If you keep your soul and spirit in line you will be strong. If you let your soul, which is made up of your mind will and emotion, team up with your body, which is your flesh, your spirit man won’t have a chance.

The way to stop Satan from working in your life is by the renewing of your mind, daily by the word of God. Satan is still walking the Earth seeking who he may devour. Stay alert, serve God, seek the word daily.