But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:15
Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Job 7:11
My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:8
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Questions: What’s the real delineation between our soul and spirit? What are the differences between the two? Who has delved into this mystery and been able to define the boundaries? Why is it important to understand these things better? How are we to really know ourselves, and be able to better function and navigate in this creation of God’s? If we are made in His Image then what does that mean specifically? Are there things I can learn about myself and the way God made me that will help me cope better with the environment and atmosphere and relationships around me? What are exactly emotions and feelings? Where are they ‘housed’? How are they to be navigated – righteously?
I’ve been pondering these types of questions for a time. I think when we honestly go to the Holy Spirit for answers He will provide them. And they can often be VERY different than what we’ve all be ‘taught’. Yet He will always point me to scripture to verify the answers. And I have learned that the written Word is far deeper than I can understand and why it takes the Holy Spirit to teach me.
I have been taught from a very young age that the soul / spirit houses our mind, will, and emotions. And I really never questioned that until the Holy Spirit began to talk to me about my spirit within me. This little statement He gave me has launched me into much prayer and pondering along with much scriptural study on the subject. It has brought some real revelation, conviction, and humility to my situation.
Can He reprogram us – even when we’re old? Can we learn new things that challenge decades of being set and thinking in another way and thought we knew what the reality was? Does our pride hinder us from receiving the answers we want from Him, because we think we already know? Does our fear hinder us from seeing the truth of things? What happens when He gives you revelation that totally changes the way you understand things? How well are you receiving things that explain the mysteries from the Holy Spirit – especially about yourself?
These are things that are no longer ‘milk’, but are the weightier things of the spiritual nature. Can He progress you beyond the regular 3rd grade Sunday sermon content and precepts? Have you pursued Him with questions of a deeper nature? Do you dive deeper into the scriptures with His guidance as He points out Truths you’ve never seen before? Does He highlight certain scriptures to you in the most unusual of times of your day – that you have to ponder?
What do you think is the difference between your soul and your spirit? If your inner-being was just a single part then why would the scripture use two different descriptive words to describe it? Why would it be useful to understand these things? Did God make us curious creatures? Do you think He wants us to ask questions and learn? Whom do you seek answers from? How trustworthy and wise are those sources you seek out? How do you really know?