Its easy to distinguish the difference between the physical body of a man from the inner unseen parts of a man. Share a little from the book of hebrews that share on the distinction of the spirit and the soul. There seems to be much confusion with the spirit and the soul and thier functions in a man.
1 Thess 5:23
And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved compete , without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"
Please use as many references and give nice long answers if you can :D
ur sis
sandy
2007-10-26 08:35:53 · 8 answers · asked by Broken Alabaster Flask 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The "soul" and the "spirit" are similar in the manner in which they are used in the spiritual life of the believer.
It is important to understand that both refer to the immaterial part of man, but only the "spirit" refers to the man's walk with God.
The "soul" refers to man's walk in the world, both material and immaterial.
Every man HAS a "spirit." It is his non-matterial aspect.
Yet each man IS a soul. Although the soul also includes the spirit of a man, his mortal life is aso part of his soul!
The "soul" as with the "spirit," is the center of many spiritual and emotional experiences (Job 30:25; Psalm 43:5; Jeremiah 13:17). Whenever the word "soul" is used, it can refer to the whole person, alive or after death.
Only believers, those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, are said to be "spiritually alive".
(1 Corinthians 2:11; Hebrews 4:12; James 2:26).
Unbelievers are "spiritually dead" (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13).
2007-10-26 09:28:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
In Scripture, only believers, those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, are said to be "spiritually alive" (1 Corinthians 2:11; Hebrews 4:12; James 2:26). Unbelievers are "spiritually dead" (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13). In Paul's writing the "spirit" was pivotal to the spiritual life of the believer (1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:1; 15:45; Ephesians 1:3; 5:19; Colossians 1:9; 3:16). The spirit is the element in man which gives him the ability to have an intimate relationship with God. Whenever the word "spirit" is used, it refers to the immaterial part of man including his soul.
The word "soul" refers not only to the immaterial part of man but the also material part. Unlike man having a "spirit," man is a soul. In its most basic sense the word "soul" means "life." However, the Bible moves beyond "life" and into many areas. One of those areas is to man's eagerness to sin (Luke 12:26). Man is naturally evil and his soul is tainted as a result. The life principle is removed at the time of physical death (Genesis 35:18; Jeremiah 15:2). The "soul" as with the "spirit," is the center of many spiritual and emotional experiences (Job 30:25; Psalm 43:5; Jeremiah 13:17). Whenever the word "soul" is used, it can refer to the whole person, alive or after death.
2007-10-26 09:39:26 · answer #2 · answered by Freedom 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
What is the difference between the spirit and the soul? The word "spirit," refers only to the immaterial facet of man. Mankind has a spirit, but we are not a spirit. However, in Scripture, only believers, those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, are said to be "spiritually alive" (1 Corinthians 2:11; Hebrews 4:12; James 2:26). Unbelievers are "spiritually dead" (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13). In Paul's writing the "spirit" was pivotal to the spiritual life of the believer (1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:1; 15:45; Ephesians 1:3; 5:19; Colossians 1:9; 3:16). The spirit is the element in man which gives him the ability to have an intimate relationship with God. Whenever the word "spirit" is used, it refers to the immaterial part of man including his soul.
The word "soul" refers not only to the immaterial part of man but the also material part. Unlike man having a "spirit," man is a soul. In its most basic sense the word "soul" means "life." However, the Bible moves beyond "life" and into many areas. One of those areas is to man's eagerness to sin (Luke 12:26). Man is naturally evil and his soul is tainted as a result. The life principle is removed at the time of physical death (Genesis 35:18; Jeremiah 15:2). The "soul" as with the "spirit," is the center of many spiritual and emotional experiences (Job 30:25; Psalm 43:5; Jeremiah 13:17). Whenever the word "soul" is used, it can refer to the whole person, alive or after death
The "soul" and the "spirit" are similar in the manner in which they are used in the spiritual life of the believer. They are different in their reference. The "soul" is man's horizontal view with the world. The "spirit" is man's vertical view with God. It is important to understand that both refer to the immaterial part of man, but only the "spirit" refers to the man's walk with God. The "soul" refers to man's walk in the world, both material and immaterial.
2007-10-26 08:50:56 · answer #3 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I've heard it explained that we are a spirit, we have a soul, and our flesh is our earthly dwelling vessel.
1 Cor. 5:5 tells how Paul told the church at Corinth to "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (to me this says our spirit is what lives with the Lord for eternity). Our flesh will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:52-54).
However...when I looked up the actual Greek meaning in my Strong's Concordance, I found this...
Spirit=a current of air, breath or breeze. The rational soul. Vital principle, mental disposition, etc. An angel or demon or God.
Soul=breath, spirit, the rational and immortal soul. Heart, life, mind, soul.
It sounds as if they are closely intertwined, and I'm now wondering if we can even consider them separate?
Please tell me, Bible scholars, what you think?
2007-10-26 10:30:46 · answer #4 · answered by Answer Annie 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hewbrews 4: 12-13. "See, the word of GOD is alive! It is
at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword-
it cuts right through to where the soul meets spirit and
joints meet marrow,and it is quick to judge the inner
reflections and attitudes of the heart. 13: Before GOD,
nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and
open to the eyes of HIM to whom we must render an
account."
the mind (soul) meets our inner spirit. to me i think there
is a bridge ( so to speak) between souls and spirit. what
we feed our minds links us to the spirit.
i have worked on the cleaning of my soul and it is hard work.
but the fruit of the SPIRIT is easier to reach when i shed
the garbage of the world. it is hard though. but the more
meat of the word i find, the easier it is to get caught up with
the Spiritual.
i hope that makes sense. my spirit is willing but my flesh
is pathetic!!!
2007-10-26 10:06:22 · answer #5 · answered by Judy E. T 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Soul is the breath of life - the act of breathing hence the life thing.
The spirit is what drives the man.
Mind is what is formed from experiences.
2007-10-26 08:39:34 · answer #6 · answered by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
we became living, when GOD gave us the breath of life, it is alot like water.. hydrgen and oxygen properly blended makes water, but take one and the water does not exist.
Funny how GOD made that so obvious for us.
2007-10-27 01:26:05 · answer #7 · answered by spotlite 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The innerspirit is that which nurishes the soul, and helps grow it into a mature entity. The spirit cannot abide sin and especially sensual defilement. When the soul enjoys these things, our spirit hides from us.
The soul is that which starts as a seed. It interacts with matter by utilizing the mind and body to explore the world and those in it. The soul constantly seeks to find distinction between itself and between the body. The soul sometimes misidentifies itself as being the mind, and so it thinks 'I am material'. Rather, the soul utilizes the mind. The soul faces a battle between seeking material enjoyment for the body or seeking spiritual growth for communion with the spirit.
No one can serve two masters, for if one serves his body, how can one serve his spirit. This inner battle defines a person. The spirit in everyone is there to guide us, but we must choose to seek it.
Take Saul of Tarsus. Jesus appeared to him on the road, and gave Saul a choice. Saul chose to follow Jesus' instruction, and seek the help of Christians. Saul was taught the teachings of Jesus, and tested in faith before he was given the seal of babtism. As it is with everyone: First we must grow, then we can be harvested. Thereby Saul became Paul the Apostle. Saul could have disobeyed Jesus, yet he chose his spirit, over worldly dominion.
This is our choice: Do we listen to our inner spirit, or do we ignore it. When we listen, we come closer to the spirit. When we serve our excessive flesh desire, we distance ourself from the spirit. Only when one has proved one's devotion to the spirit and withdrawn one'self from material defilement can one seek communion with the spirit.
When Christians speak of resurrection, they mean that the soul sacrifices the material flesh body that clothes it, and matters of the flesh which are of concern to the body. We must give up these things in sacrifice to the spirit, so that we may enter the bridal chamber with the spirit and be given a new body.
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The words beneath are of the Apostle Philip and are instructions to Christians upon distinction between the soul, the spirit and the body
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*******Those who say that the Lord died first and then rose up are in error, for he rose up first and then died. If one does not first attain the resurrection, he will not die. For the fishermen harvest the fish from the nets, but return the small fish to the sea, retaining only the large fish. Yet if the large fish are diseased, they are burned.
One will hide a large valuable object like the soul in something valuable, but many a time one has tossed things worth countless thousands into a thing worth a penny. Compare the soul. It is a precious thing and it came to be in a contemptible body.
Some are afraid lest they rise naked. Because of this they wish to rise in the flesh, and they do not know that it is those who wear the flesh who are naked. It is those who desire to unclothe themselves who are not naked. They say: "Flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Co 15:50). ---->What is this which will not inherit? This which is on us. ----->But what is this, too, which will inherit?
A: It is that which belongs to Jesus and his blood. Because of this he said "He who shall not eat my flesh and drink my blood has not life in him" (Jn 6:53).
----->What is it?
A: His flesh is the word, and his blood is the Holy Spirit. He who has received these has food and he has drink and clothing.
I find fault with the others who say that it will not rise. Then both of them are at fault. You say that the flesh will not rise. But tell me what will rise, that we may honor you. You say the Spirit in the flesh, and it is also this light in the flesh. But this too is a matter which is in the flesh, for whatever you shall say, you say nothing outside the flesh. It is necessary to rise in this flesh, since everything exists in it. One must find salvation in the flesh. One can not be resurrected in the flesh if one is dead. Therefore Jesus first rose, and then died.
In this world, those who put on garments are better than the garments. In the Kingdom of Heaven, the garments are better than those that put them on.
Jesus took them all by stealth, for he did not appear as he was, but in the manner in which they would be able to see him. He appeared to them all. He appeared to the great as great. He appeared to the small as small. He appeared to the angels as an angel, and to men as a man. Because of this, his word hid itself from everyone. Some indeed saw him, thinking that they were seeing themselves, but when he appeared to his disciples in glory on the mount, he was not small. He became great, but he made the disciples great, that they might be able to see him in his greatness.
He said on that day in the thanksgiving, "You who have joined the perfect light with the Holy Spirit, unite the angels with us also, as being the images." Do not despise the lamb, for without it, it is not possible to see the king. No one will be able to go in to the king if he is naked.
"The Father" and "the Son" are single names; "the Holy Spirit" is a double name. For they are everywhere: they are above, they are below; they are in the concealed, they are in the revealed. The Holy Spirit is in the revealed: it is below. It is in the concealed: it is above.
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As for the spirit and the soul: Upon babtism, the spirit and the soul can commune as one. That is why Jesus says: To enter the kingdom of God one must make the two become one. For the soul and spirit to commune, the soul must accend whilst it is in the flesh. That is why they say "may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete".
Blessed is the one who knows he will die soon: For he can await the thief and be ready for him. Those whom die in communion with the spirit will find rest within Gods kingdom.
For all lessons learnt in the body as images and words will be preserved if they accend with the spirit and soul.
Yet if the body dies before one has joined with the holy spirit, then one's soul has lost all its aquired nurishment. Such a person's soul does not die (but like the small fish, they are returned to the sea), but the life which the soul lived is lost with the body's demise, as it was not raised into a spiritual body during its life. As such a soul has no spiritual body, it cannot enter the kingdom of God and it cannot commune with God the father.
2007-10-26 13:08:01 · answer #8 · answered by Yoda 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋