For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in darkness,
Like those who have long been dead.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is distressed. Psalms 143:3-4
Soul and spirit. Again, we have differentiation between the two in this Psalm. Here the word translated ‘soul’ in Hebrew is ‘nephesh’ meaning a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, and emotion. And the word ‘spirit’ in verse 4 in Hebrew is ‘ruach’ meaning breath, wind, spirit. Since they are created by our Creator they also seem to be something that can be encountered in spiritual realms by other spiritual entities. We certainly know that physical bodies can become a host to disembodied spirits in which some use the term “demon”. How are they able to do so? By legal invitation and agreement. How many of us give agreement to things we don’t really understand?
This passage also seems to indicate that the enemies of God can persecute a person’s soul. So, our emotions, and desires, and appetites can be affected and afflicted by those entities who are at war with God in spiritual realms. AND that affliction can have an effect on a person’s spirit as well. So, what are we to do about it? Within our spirit sits our will (that thing that allows us to make choices) and is the goal and target of the enemies of God. Because if they can influence your will – you will then make bad decisions and choices. The enemies will CERTAINLY attack a person’s soul working to bring about very devastating and paralyzing emotions so that a person will have trouble in their spirit making the choices the Holy Spirit is guiding and suggesting to them to make.
Are you able to discern WHY you are having certain emotions and feelings? Or do you just readily accept that all emotions are the correct path in which to make present decisions for your life? Are you feeling based? Do you make decisions because of how you are feeling? How do you know where and how those feelings are being generated? Are they internal or externally influenced by internal or external sources? Do you know that you can ask the Holy Spirit to show you and advise you about your emotions and feelings and where the source is coming from and why you are experiencing them? The Holy Spirit is your Helper. He can enlighten and illumine your mind and heart to the Truth of your current situation and issues, IF you are willing to surrender and listen to Him.
So what did David do in this situation? Let’s look at the rest of this Psalm.
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
Answer me speedily, O Lord;
My spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me,
Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
In Your mercy cut off my enemies,
And destroy all those who afflict my soul;
For I am Your servant.
In verse 7 David states that his spirit ‘fails’. And in verse 10 David wants to be taught God’s will, which is exactly one of the reasons why the Holy Spirit indwells us! David doubles down on his commitment to ‘trust’ God in verse 8.
Our ‘part’ with the Holy Spirit is to TRUST Him! And real trust in God ALWAYS leads to action and obedience to the Rhema Word He is speaking to our heart. When we trust Him, we agree with His suggestions of which decision to make in the moment. We seek His will and path in that place of surrender to Him.
Are you beginning to learn what and how your spirit and soul are part of your being and that they are greatly targeted by the enemies of God, hoping they can ‘distress’ your spirit so that you will make bad decisions and choices against what the Holy Spirit has been advising you to do?
YOU are on the spiritual BATTLEFIELD! Wake UP! Listen to your Commander! Listen to YOUR KING! Listen to HIS Voice and instructions to you!
Got questions? Go to the One who has the answers … FIRST!