I've been wondering about these questions since I was 13 and I want to know the answers to each question:
What is the soul?
What is the spirit?
Are they the same? If no, how are they different?
2007-01-04 03:55:38 · 11 answers · asked by PsiChi 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think these concepts are the same. They both refer to the existence of something that is separate from our material bodies, that helps to define us.
They are both figments of man's imagination, stemming from his desire to live beyond death. Just like it's difficulty in understanding an infinite universe, and time without beginning or end, man's brain is not structured to understand that his life could end. So man has a kind of biological predisposition to believe that life doesn't end, which means there must be some kind of after-life. But how is that possible, when we observe that our bodies die and decay? Well, perhaps life also includes a separate immaterial aspect. And thus, the idea of a spirit or soul was born.
In ALL history, there has NEVER been ANY verifiable evidence that souls or spirits exist.
2007-01-04 04:10:55 · answer #1 · answered by HarryTikos 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are souls. The original-language terms (Heb., ne′phesh [?פנ]; Gr., psy·khe′ [ψυχή]) as used in the Scriptures show “soul” to be a person, an animal, or the life that a person or an animal enjoys. According to the Bible at 1 Corinthians 15:45 “The first man Adam became a living soul." Also, the book of Genesis relates that the earth and with were filled with living souls.
As far as spirit goesm the Greek pneu′ma (spirit) comes from pne′o, meaning “breathe or blow,” and the Hebrew ru′ach (spirit) is believed to come from a root having the same meaning. Ru′ach and pneu′ma, then, basically mean “breath” but have extended meanings beyond that basic sense. (Compare Hab 2:19; Re 13:15.) They can also mean wind; the vital force in living creatures; one’s spirit; spirit persons, including God and his angelic creatures; and God’s active force, or holy spirit.
With regards to people, simply put, we are living souls and the breath of our life is our spirit.
2007-01-04 04:04:21 · answer #2 · answered by professor grey 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I had answered this on a previous occasion, so I just cut and pasted what I said the last time. Hope it helps.
This is one of the few intelligent questions I've seen on this sight.
'Ruach' is the Hebrew word for spirit. Ps. 146:4: "His spirit(Heb. form of ruach) goes out, he goes back to the ground and in that day his thoughts do perish." Eccl. 3:19: There is eventuality as respects the sons of mankind and an eventuality as respects the beast, and they have the same eventuality. As the one dies, so the other dies; and they all have but one spirit(denoting that mankind and animals are said to have the same spirit(ruach).
They both go back to dust. Eccl. 3:20 "All go unto one place;all
are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.(KJ)
Also in Heb. 4:12: "The word of God is alive and exerts power an is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of the soul(psykhes) and spirit(pneumatos; Greek for spirit)...." So we can see that the Greek word for spirit is different from the Greek word for soul.
Gen. 7:22(describing those destroyed by the flood in Noah's day),"Everything in which the breath(form of neshamah) of the force (or "spirit" (ruach) of life was active in its nostrils, namely all that were on the dry ground, died." So we can see that Neshamah is intrinsically linked with 'ruach' which is describing the spirit or life-force, that is active in all living creatures; man or beast.
I really hope this helps--there are plenty more references
I see I need to add to this: We are souls, the spirit(ruach)is the life force; our cells, etc. that sustains us.
2007-01-04 04:28:33 · answer #3 · answered by nicky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The soul is simply the mind, will, and emotions. Everyone has a soul. The spirit is either dead or alive depending on weather or not that person has been regenerated. If the person has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, that person's spirit is then alive.
2007-01-04 04:00:23 · answer #4 · answered by bbjones9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are very close and most people use them interchangeably but they are not - all living things, including animals have a soul - the spirit is the place the Holy Spirit will indwell a person - the spirit is what moves on in the next life
2007-01-04 04:03:39 · answer #5 · answered by servant FM 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with one answer, in that the soul is our mind, emotions, desires, feelings.
We are all born with a spirit. Our own spirit. The spirit of life. So, everyone has a spirit, soul, and body.
When you accept Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit enjoins with your own spirit, and it is through your own spirit that you are ministered to by God.
Before that happens, your soul rules the roost. You live your life based on your own desires, emotions, comforts. When you are "born again", the battle begins, because the Holy Spirit wants to now rule the roost.
That's why it is referred to in the Bible as "dying to self". You put your energy in letting the Holy Spirit win. Sometimes, your soul wants to keep on trying to win, and that's when we give into desires of the "flesh".
2007-01-04 04:18:56 · answer #6 · answered by Dianne C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hi, To me I are conscious of it through fact the soul is our actual self and is the actual me living interior the physique. Our soul is a spirit. we are a spiritual being living a human temporal physique. On loss of life of the physique our soul(spirit) stands in the previous God. It does not die. The Spirit interior the text textile, physique soul and spirit is the Holy Spirit of God. He indwells us as quickly as we settle for Jesus as saviour. He comforts, classes, strengthens and teaches us. This Spirit lived thoroughly in Jesus as He replaced into God interior the flesh.i think of in Philippians ch a million Paul talks approximately living interior the tent as living in his physique. He would desire to flow out of it whilst he died and be present with the Lord. i could would desire to seek for the different texts. in case you decide on please digital mail me and that i visit do it greater advantageous. nev r
2016-12-12 03:36:12 · answer #7 · answered by declue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No , they are different.
When we die the spirit departs from our body and the soul goes to Heaven or Hell.
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2007-01-04 04:11:14 · answer #8 · answered by Mummy is not at home 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are souls. Our activities are meant to be spiritual. Is the same as when you say "human being" we are beings and we have human activities.
2007-01-04 04:00:12 · answer #9 · answered by edcaimo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are one and the same, it all depends on what spirituality path you follow. According to various religious teachings they live on after the body has died.
2007-01-04 04:23:58 · answer #10 · answered by moonnymph42 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋