SPIRIT, SOUL and BODY Part One - Defined and Clarified
Next to God Himself, man must be the greatest mystery. For he was made in His image (Gen. 1:26). Ignorance about man’s constitutional makeup is not God’s fault, however, for the Bible is full of the words, "mind," "heart," "soul" and "body." In fact the Hebrew and Greek words (leb, lebab, and kardia) for "heart" are used exactly 1,000 times.
What importance is all this? There are many benefits gained by such an understanding. A car driver, if a mechanic, benefits when his own car is in trouble. Perhaps one main benefit comes by knowing what set of verses apply to the spirit, to the soul, and to the body. The "Armenians" and "Calvinists" would all be one, fulfilling Christ’s prayer for unity (John 17:23). Instead of one group fighting the other with their set of verses showing an "eternal standing" and the other with the verses dealing with a daily need for salvation, they would rightly-divide and see where both sets are like two sides to the nickel. They substantiate each other. However "Part One" of this series deals not so much with that aspect as it does the defining of who we are. Of course we are not presumptuous to think that anything said will really define us exactly but at least God will give us a glimpse into ourselves.
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps. 139:14). Once God showed that as dividing the atom is important to man’s material progress so this dividing, in the scriptures (and applying it) of our being is equally important to spiritual progress. For centuries man existed without this atom knowledge but look at the potentials opened up through understanding it.
Aren’t spirit and soul the same? No, they come from entirely different words in both Hebrew and Greek. The words for "spirit" (ruach, Hebr., and pneuma, Grk.) suggest a strong blast of wind, while "soul" (nephesh, Hebr., and psuche, Grk.) suggest a gentle breath. We get the word "pneumatic" tires from "pneuma." Often they are contrasted, see 1 Thess. 5:23 and Heb. 4:12, Luke 1:46. If the two words are synonymous then there is not difference between this corruptible body and the glorified incorruptible one. For, "It is sown a natural (same word as ‘soulish’) body; it is raised a spiritual body" (1 Cor. 15:44).
Also the difference is seen in Christ’s own ministry, particularly in his death where they are divided, the body laying in the grave, the soul descending into "the lowest pit" of hell, and His Spirit, that He committed into the Father’s hand, going into Paradise, all at the same time. (Isa. 53:10, 11, Ps. 88, Acts 2:27 are only a few of the verses about His soul in hell for us, it having became the sin offering for us.) "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise," he told the dying thief. There were ranks in paradise just as there were different cities of refuge in the O.T., themselves a picture of paradise. They had to abide in captivity in these cities until the death of the high priest and then they were liberated (Num. 35). God, Who is rich unto all that call upon Him, must have had many to call upon Him in death-bed repentance like the thief when Noah’s flood swept over them. It could be that they formed one of those compartments in paradise, for Christ’s spirit went and ministered unto them (1 Peter 3:18, 19). Christ had to divide spirit, soul and body on his death to fulfill the three different types He must fulfill in the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16). For His body must be the sin offering goat that shed its blood on the altar. His soul must be the scape-goat that carried the sin away into the lonely desert, where it died a lonely death. And His spirit must be the High Priest part of Him that offered up these sacrifices. Literally Heb. 9:14, speaking of Him as our high priest, reads, "... Christ, who thru HIS eternal spirit offered himself without spot unto God..." The fact that His soul died for us too is seen in Isa. 53:9 where, literally, "deaths" is in the plural. What love!
The body is world-conscious. The soul basically is self-conscious. And thru the spirit (when such approach is not blocked by unbelief) it is God-conscious. The Bible shows that there is the "carnal" (fleshly), "natural" (soulish), and "spiritual." But the natural (soulish) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). Does this leave the soul completely out of God’s plan then? Not necessarily. For it is like a plot of ground. "Ye are God’s tilled land" (1 Cor. 3:9, lit.). The natural underbrush was on it until it was tilled. then the seed - the Word in our case - was planted, and the rain - the Spirit - descends. And with the cultivation of the cross in our lives, up comes a fragrant garden spot for God to dwell.
There are two words for "life" in the Bible. One means natural life, nephesh, in Heb. and psuche, in Grk. The other is eternal life, chaiyim and zoe. While the physical body only has natural (psuche) life (Rom. 8:10), the spirit only has, or is capable of having, "zoe" life. there is no place where the Bible says that personal spirit either sins or goes to hell. It is always the immortal soul and body (Job 33:28, Isa. 38:17.
When God made man He placed the personal spirit room within him to be reserved only for Himself. Not even demons enter the spirit room, they savour "not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Matt. 16:23), or the soulish realm. God will not enter in unless requested and if so He will engrace the whole house with His presence. If some of these statements seem a bit challenging, it is desired that the reader pateintly puts off judgment until he is thru reading the whole.
"Thou shalt love the Lord ... with all they HEART... SOUL... STRENGTH... and MIND (Luke 10:27, Matt. 22:37, Mark 12:30). We are to be so in love with God that we are like the burnt offering placed upon the altar (Lev. 1:3,9). Its whole being, the "fat" (heart it pictures. Ps. 119:70), "inwards" (soul), "legs" (strength) and "head" (mind) were offered.
Let us notice the above words.
The HEART is the center, and "springboard" of Life’s Principles (including the "laws" of Rom. 6-8).
The SOUL is the Personality of one’s life (one’s unique will, intellect and emotions, his "ego" and its individual traits). The word often refers to individual persons ("eight souls..." 1 Peter 3:20). Notice that it has a set of five senses all its own, as seen in the rich man’s soul in hell (Luke 16:23, 24). It has desire and basic "drives" (for security, attention, etc.). It is possessive in nature (Luke 12:19). While man has "psychology," the study of the psuche or soul, he is ignorant concerning the "sub-conscious" part of man which, besides including the deeper part of the soul, also includes the spirit. God offers the best study for He made man and has had much experience with man.
The MIND consists of the faculties of life or Life’s Practice. This particularly includes the five soul senses of conscience, memory, reason, imagination, and affection. In Eph. 4:17, "vanity of their mind" means "uselessness of their mind." God counts this as a terrible sin. "Dianoia" or "mind" is a contraction of "nous," mind, will, and "dia." This prefix denotes a channel of an act. So it should be "something thought thru," which would involve faculties.
The STRENGTH is the character produced by all the rest. It is Life’s Product.
The heart is, like a treasure box, what one has.
The soul is who he is.
The mind is what he does.
The strength is what is produced.
The heart is compared to the earthly heart, and a core of center (by its name), also to the making of cakes (by its original Hebr. word). It is likened to an "observatory or covered place" (Job 38:36), the reins (Ps. 7:9, Rev. 2:23), the fat (because of its richness (Ps. 119:70, Lev. 1:18), a well (Prov. 20:5, John 4:14), breasts (Nah. 2:7), a treasure (Matt. 12:35), ground (Matt. 13:19), a dwelling place (Eph. 3:17), and a writing tablet (Heb. 8:10).
The soul is compared as a gentle breath (by its original words), a bird (Ps. 11:1; 124:7), the belly (Ps. 31:9, Prov. 26:22, "chambers of the belly" -- the soul has unlimited possibilities, chambers). It is like a panting hart (Ps. 42:1), a weaned child (Ps. 131:2), a thirsty land (Ps. 143:6), a goat (Isa. 53:10), sheep (1 Pet. 2:25), and a ship (Heb. 6:19).
There are six words used for "man." Four are in the O. T. and two are in the N. T.
God is a most excellent teacher, so uses most excellent object lessons. We are not taking too much liberty of we compare the individual believer to the tabernacle (or temple) because repeatedly the scriptures do this (John 2:21, 1 Cor. 3:16, 2 Cor. 5:1-4, 2 Pet. 1:14). After all the purpose of the tabernacle was to be a sanctuary for God to dwell within. So actually it can picture whatever is His sanctuary, in the N. T., which includes Christ and also the Chruch.
The tabernacle is a trinity. There is the outer court, an oblong sanctified yard, with an east entrance. Whithin it is the tabernacle with its two rooms. The first (twice as large as the inner one) is called by Paul the "sanctuary," while the four-square inner room is the "holy of holies" (Heb. 9:2,3). The outer, earthly court would compare to our "outer man," the body. While the tabernacle building itself, being in the "heart" of the court, would, roughly speaking, compare to our "heart." But we said it has two rooms, Yes, the "inner man" of our heart consists of our soul, which is like the "sanctuary" room, and also of our spirit, the holy of holies. For in it only the high priest (type of Christ) could come.
In fact he could only come on the annual Day of Atonement. Paul tells us that this represents a "once for all" event (Heb. 9:12). Christ dwells in the holy of holies of heaven, and also within His inner holies within us. By spirit He can be both places.
Our "once for all" day of atonement was when He entered our hearts. And just as no flesh could work that feast day, so neither could we for salvation, "Not of works lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:9).
Three things in the holy of holies picture Christ in our spirit. We understand, in writing this, that one cannot build doctrines upon O. T. types. But they are illustrations of N. T. truth. This is valid (Rom. 15:4, 1 Cor. 10:11, Gal. 4:24, Col. 2:17, Heb. 10:1). So what are these pictures of Christ? Firstly, we have seen the high priest picture Him. Secondly, the ark of the covenant pictures Him. Thirdly, within the pillar of the cloud which rested over the mercy seat of the ark (Lev. 16:2) was the angel of the Lord which was Christ in the O. T. (Ex. 14:19, Can. 3:25, Acts 27:23, 1 Cor. 10:4). "A threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ec. 4:12). God’s love cord that binds our spirit with Him is a threefold one.
What practical truth can we apply from the above? Christ in us, like the high priest, has "once for all" given us since our "day of atonement," a positional relationship. The ark with its valuables picturing the riches of Christ available to us (mentioned in 1 Cor. 1:30) shows that Christ in us gives us a provisional heirship. (Our soul will have no lack if it will appropriate the hidden riches of Christ’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, pictured by the manna, Aaron’s rod, the law, and the mercy seat). And thirdly, as pictured by the angel of God within the pillar of the Holy Spirit cloud, Christ in us, "the hope of glory," gives us also personal fellowship.
Contrast the ministry in the two rooms and you will see a picture of the ministry of God within your spirit and your soul. In the one the high priest entered and just stood before God. It was His responsibility and, well, "It is finished." Our justification before God is. Justification means "declared righteous" ("declared" signifies a legal, judicial sentence pronounced in our behalf, not an experience based on our feelings). But we are responsible to cooperate, and walk daily with the high priest in our sanctuary or soul room. For daily the high priest walked with his sons -- it pictures a cross, incidentally -- as they placed on the daily sacrifice, and ministered to the sanctuary furniture. they trimmed the candlesticks, placed fresh incense on the altar of incense (not to be confused with the brass altar in the outer court), and weekly placed fresh bread on the table.
While justification, a finished work on Christ’s part, is pictured by the inner holies’ ministry, sanctification, which means "set apart" and "made clean," is pictured by the daily walk in the sanctuary room. To be "set apart" involves a walk. If you are at one place and want to set yourself apart to another place you ordinarily walk to it. While justification gives us eternal life, a permanent standing in the house of God, sanctification gives us an inheritance, something that is more than a gift (Rom. 6:23, Col 3:24, Acts 20:32, 26:18). It develops our state of growth. There are three words incidentally, that denote stage of growth in God’s family. they are teknon, usually translated "little children," paidion or adolescents, and buies, matured sons. Around the table they all have the same standing, but look at their different states.
We must qualify the statement that the high priest’s holy of holies ministry pictures justification. For although that is true, yet there are three phases to sanctification, and one of them was incorporated into that justification. for we are sanctified by the blood -- set apart as for our standing. We are sanctified by the washing of the Word (John 17:17), and this is usually what generally is meant by "sanctification." It sets us apart as far as our state is concerned. But then there is that of being sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:16, etc.) Who separates us apart as far as service is concerned. In the normal experience this is when one, as in Acts, receives the Holy Spirit after salvation. (The O. T. priests could not serve until the oil was placed on them.) But by Christ’s offering Himself for us, shedding His blood, and by our accepting this as the new birth, "we are sanctified thru the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Heb. 10:10, 14). We might add that it was not just our spirit that was sanctified once for all. For the high priest pictures a complete sanctification when he sprinkled not just the mercy seat but the tabernacle and all the furniture therein, our complete being, judicially stands "complete in Him" (Col. 2:10). Of course once the high priest placed the oil also over all the tabernacle parts, picturing when we were baptized by the Spirit it was a complete baptism." (Baptism means to become "wet all over.") Later there were many times perhaps when the glory of the Spirit either fell upon the sacrifice or filled the sanctuary. yes, there is "one baptism: but many fillings. Paul wrote to the Corinthians who seemed very unsanctified in their walks but calls them "sanctified in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. 1:2).
A glance at the tabernacle shows the outer court is surrounded by a white linen wall seven and a half feet high. Yes, our actions should be so white and pure that they lift Christ up high. The bride is adorned by "fine linen, clean and white: for the fine line is the righteous acts of the saints" (Rev. 19:8, Weym.). The only entrance into the outer court is the east one. We are always to be facing the east, the sunrising, that is in a position to receive more light from God.
The brass altar is the first thing one comes to, once inside the outer court. This was for sacrifices. Next one comes to the brass laver with its foot, made of the mirrors of the woman. It held the water that the priests washed in on serving.
Next is the tabernacle building itself with its four coverings, the top being made of badger skin. (God has a habit of housing His greatest treasures in obscure appearances. This was true of Christ, born in a manger, and of His ministry now who do not lift themselves up. Also it is true of His churches, where He is the head, for they want all the glory to go to Him.) Within the eastern entrance, only door, of the tabernacle you see the table of shewbread to your right, on the north side, and the seven lamps protruding from the candlestick to your left, and the golden incense altar before you, just this side of the veil. We have already mentioned the ark within the holiest of holies.
This article is to be continued and next time, God willing, we will examine each of the parts of the tabernacle and see how they picture us individually. Such questions as "what pictures the mind with its five senses?" or "where are the laws of one’s being?" will be searched out then.
When God showed Moses the pattern it was in the mount. Any subject like this that sees God’s patterns for us, whether collectively or individually, should also be shown us while "in the mount." May the reader take these lines seriously and before reading this series on spirit, soul, and body, make sure first that he is "in the mount" and prepared to receive them by the Spirit.
SPIRIT, SOUL and BODY, Part Two
In the last article we described minutely the tabernacle pieces but since some may read who missed that, we will list the parts in the chart. The tabernacle was in an open "outer court" (see no. 3) which faced east always. In this outer court were two items, the brass altar (see F) and the brass laver (E). The priests washed their hands and feet therein before and after ministering at the altar where sacrifices were laid. Then the first room, called the "holy house" had five pillars holding the front door screen. In this room (no. 2) were the table of shewbread (B) upon which twelve unleavened loaves rested till each sabbath when they were eaten by the priests, Aaron and his sons. On the south side (C) was the seven-fold candlestick which was trimmed and shoe mightily. Number (D) shows the incense altar which belonged in the inner back room but (according to the Hebrew Mishna) which was loaned to the holy house due to its daily use. This fact is verified by Paul in Hebr. 9:2-4 where "golden censer" is called "golden altar" by reliable scholars. "Wherein was the candlestick, and the table" Paul says of these two in the front room. But concerning the last room (no. 1), or "holy of holies" it says "which had the golden altar..." "Wherein" denotes location but "which had" denotes possession. It belonged to the inner holies. Four pillars held up the veil that separated the two rooms. A fifth, heavenly pillar protruding from the cloud of the Spirit above rested over the mercy-seat which was the lid over the ark (A). Also there were four coverings overlaying the tabernacle which overlapped the walls. Forty-eight boards, ten cubits high (a cubit is one and a half feet) overlaid, like the furniture pieces, with gold. Only the outer court pieces were brass, the laver pure brass, and the candlesticks within were of pure gold.
That the tabernacle (and its sequel, the temple) are types of truths that concern us today is beyond question to anyone who knows the Bible; that they can picture the individual is seen in their purpose (Ex. 25:8), that is to be "a sanctuary that I may dwell among them." That places it as a type not only of Christ, nor the Church, but also of us individually. Paul, Peter, and Christ bear witness to this (Jn. 2:19, 1 Cor. 3:16, 2 Cor. 5:1-4, 2 P. 1:14).
If the tabernacle pictures Christ and if "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (Jn. 1:17) we can expect to see these balanced therein. We do: For there are three sets of twins as far as furniture. These each are "grace and truth" twins. The brass altar where the sacrifices’ blood was shed pictures grace. The laver pictures the cleansing of the truth. Christ cleanses His Church by (literally) "the laver of water by the Word" (Eph. 5:26). Then the table of shewbread, inside, balances with the candlesticks. In contrast to the brass altar where grace is shown as "unmerited favor" here it is pictured as "divine sufficiency" for the oil supply continued daily. Then we see the ark of the covenant wherein was the law and manna - truth - and in contrast the golden altar picturing prayer or praise by which grace is stored up.
In fact let us see Christ Himself in the tabernacle since He is in the believer and such is pictured by it. John lists Christ as being seven "I AMs." "I AM the Bread of Life" (Jn. 6:35). He is our "shewbread" or "Presence bread" that we as priests eat. "It is most holy... of the offerings... made by fire" (Lev. 24:9). It was taken from the people (v. 8). It was covered up in golden dishes until time to eat; yes, we minister truth one to another and it must come by revelation, be uncovered.
"I AM the light of the World" but now He says "Ye are the light of the world" (Jn. 9:5, Matt. 5:14). There is no contradiction, only now He shines thru us. This is pictured by the candlesticks.
"I AM the Door" (Jn. 10:9). He is the rent veil that we may come boldly unto the throne of grace (Heb. 10:20).
"I AM the Good Shepherd" (Jn. 10:11). Aaron the high priest pictures His as such.
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn. 11:25). He is seen as the Angel of God who stood in the pillar over the mercy-seat, and Who, on rising up with the pillar, caused
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (Jn. 14:6); for He is seen by the ark which led
"I AM the true Vine" (Jn. 15:1). A true vine shelters. We are to abide in Him. Here we see Him pictured by the four coverings. The outer badger skin pictures His body (actually made of many dead badgers who once lived in the earth). When He gave His personal body it multiplied into many more. Next, we see the rams skins dyed red; this pictures His Blood. "It is the blood that maketh a covering for the soul" (Lev. 17:11). Next we see the 11 curtained goats hair covering or a picture of His soul given to us. Goats speak of humanity. Remember it was the scapegoat that pictured His soul’s death in the time of Atonement. Lastly, as if both a foundation for all other coverings, and the ceiling of the tabernacle, is the 10 curtained white embroidered linen one, with colored cherubim therein. It was, in fact, called "the tabernacle." We "are complete in Him" because He has given His complete self for us. If He had withheld back one part of Himself then that particular part of us would not have had its surety before the Father. Since the Father sees the final end, as if we’re already glorified (Rms. 8:29, 30), it is no strain for Him to reckon Christ’s life as ours (Col. 3:4).
There are three pictures each of our spirit, soul and body in the tabernacle. One of these three sets has just been mentioned, for the Father sees us "accepted in the beloved"; now for the next two sets. The world sees us as just a foreigner would have seen the tabernacle and its rooms as it passed by or as the passed by. Of course they could not have seen inside the rooms, but the could tell that there was an "outer court" - this would picture the body, and they could merely see the upright walls that housed the two rooms. The front "holy house" pictures our soul, and the inner holies our spirit. Neither can the world today, looking from the outside of God’s creations, divide thru human wisdom between spirit and soul. But the triune lay-out of the whole structure pictures the world’s limited picture of us individually. How do we see ourselves, as a trinity? Is this shown in the tabernacle? Yes, for we are recognized by our triune ministries.
The brass altar upon the brass grating pictures our body upon the cross (brass speaks of judgment). Since the altar itself is basically wood which speaks of humanity, that necessitates it representing some part of us; and being in the outer court, itself a picture of our body, that is what it must picture. Our bodies have a ministry of sacrifice too.
The soul, in its ministry and as we see it, is pictured by the candlesticks; and the spirit, in its ministry of worship is seen pictured by the golden altar. This is no contradiction to the usual way of explaining that, in this front or "soul" room, the table of shewbread represents our intellect, which is to hold God’s unleavened bread; that the candlesticks represent our will, and that the altar represents our emotions. To the contrary, it is more of an enlargement of understanding on these three.
Since a look at the soul’s ministry as pictured by the candlesticks will be more detailed, let us notice first the golden altar. It is not hard to believe that our spirit has a ministry of teaching the soul how to worship, but what may be new is that the incense altar pictures this. Would this contradict the view that the personal spirit itself does not sin: that it is the "attitude" in the soul, often termed "spirit," that is liable to sin? No, for "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Jn. 3:6), and "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; because he is born of God" (1 Jn. 3:9). In fact he "keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not" (1 Jn. 5:18). And that seed is incorruptible, produced by the incorruptible Word (1 P. 1:23). Paul speaks of our spirit praying when we pray in tongues. This is some of that sweet incense, when it is Christ centered, that arises from the incense altar (1 Cor. 14:14, Eph. 6:18, Rev. 8:3). Since God is love and "he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit" (1 Cor. 6:17), there is deep emotion in the regenerated spirit. That the spirit is a rational being and, by its link with divine union, tapped to the infinite, is seen in the literal rendering of 1 Cor. 2:11. "For what man knoweth the things of a man except the spirit of (that) man in him?" By the five spirit senses of faith, hope and love, fear and reverence, and thru the nine gifts of the Spirit, God provides channels to benefit our soul from the spirit’s limitless storehouse.
The soul’s ministry as seen in the candlesticks is an intricate ministry. Look at the twenty-two "bowls made like almonds" (Ex. 25:33). The Word shows that we are to have the "fullness" of twenty-two things. There are nine "knops (ornamental columns) and their flowers." Space prohibits saying too much. But this gold was once mixed with alloy and so was our soul until it became renewed to be as His soul (gold speaks of the divine nature). There are special vessels with it. They are tongs-- (...tweezers, snuffdishes, to hold the trimmings apparently) and oil vessels. God give us love tongs that we do not pick up the other brother’s fallen testimony with critical finger; give us hope that we may carry our tests patiently, and faith that will lay hold of the oil.
But if there were no lamps the purpose of the candlesticks would be void. This is where the picture of the will is seen. For the will is not single faculty in itself; it is, on the one hand, the expression of ones desire, and then it is the carrying out of this purpose (Eph. 1:9). We have seen that the word for the complete mind, which constitutes all our intellect ("nous"), the five senses of reason, our mental faculties, is "dianoia." This consists of memory, imagination, conscience, affections, and also emotions. The will of the soul is expressed in that phrase, "put your mind together" or "make up your mind." For when the soul does this it has the above collection of seven faculties to carry out its desires. The soul itself grows. Look at the base of the candlestick. As it gets higher, it is like a tree growing up, it enlarges and starts branching out. There are basic "drives," desires (for security, attention, etc.) that make these branches. But they can never find full satisfaction until they end up, as the lamps on the end, full of the Holy Spirit, shining for Christ. In fact it is He shining thru them, and performing His will. We must train our will by the Spirit to line up with the Word. Authority is invested in our will. What we will to do, we set our whole mental machine in motion to perform. Satan’s five "I wills" reveal himself so God cast him out (Isa. 14:12-14). So while our "will" is this sevenfold mental machine - the lamps _ it originated from the soul - the candlestick; "doing the will of God from the (psuche) soul" (Eph. 5:5).
The soul’s sense of touch, the affection, is the activity of the emotions. (Of course the flesh can substitute false emotions too.) The soul’s sense of taste, reason, is the intellect operating itself upon our soul. (The Hebrew word "taam" is used interchangeably for "taste" and "reason.") The soul’s smell sense, conscience, is, when not substituted by Satan or some church group, the Holy Spirit operating upon our soul to give us discernment between good and bad. Memory is the ear of the soul that picks up voices, in our soul, from the past. Imagination is the eye of the soul. Unlike our limited definition of it, the old Hebrew and English words alike carry its true meaning. It visualizes unseen objects for the soul and forms the soul and forms the soul’s desires into definite purposes and inspires one until these are realized. Since imagination is the soul itself operating upon itself to fashion it and the mental faculties like it desires, imagination can be compared to the central shaft of the candlesticks that all the others come out from. David foresaw the Lord always before Him that he should not be moved (Ps. 16:8).
This combined activity of the soul just mentioned is "the law of the mind." But when the soul submits to sin’s nature it is called "the law of sin and death"; or to Christ’s nature, then it becomes "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus"; or to the supernatural Word, then it is "the law of faith."
Sometimes a civil war rages in the members (Rms. 7:23). This comes when one is "weakwilled" concerning the things of god and does not set all his faculties firmly towards the goal of his purpose, which should be to follow Christ. In fact, although we’ve already mentioned that "onus" means intellect, and that "Diana" means the complete mind, still there is a third main word for "mind"; and it suggests this very thought, that of setting ones mind, inclining it to do a definite act. The "onus" acts like conscious thoughts that it considers unimportant and to put the other into the soul.
The combined activity of our mental faculties, when armed together, gives "strength." That is why, along with our heart, soul and mind we are to also love God with al our "strength." This also is the impersonal "spirit" or attitude that needs cleansing (2 Cor. 7:1).
The law of our mind, consisting of our intellect, will, and emotions, varies in different races. Some have a strong intellect, but lack in emotions, and others have the opposite. When God made His ancient people He made them the most well-rounded of all people. "This people have I formed for myself" (Is. 43:21). But what has its advantages also has its advantages; for it takes more consecration to keep the whole mind dedicated to God when we have more of it.
Where are the four laws pictured in the tabernacle? Aaron, the high priest, pictures the "law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus." Eleanor, his son, had "oversight of all the tabernacle" and furniture (Num. 4:16) so pictures the "law of the mind"; for while it is responsible to Christ, still it has responsibility over our daily walk. Ithamar means "Coast of
When the law of sin operates upon the candlestick lamps of our being, upon our seven mental faculties, we have the sins listed in Prov. 6:16-19, which "are an abomination of His soul." But when the law of the spirit of life starts playing the strings of life’s heart we have the harmony of 2 Pet. 1:5-7.
In closing, life is like a garden, we are the keepers. God furnishes the right seed, the Word, and the rain, the Spirit, and the cross in our life with which to plow. But what are the garden instruments? Here again is where the five soul senses are important. For the five senses in their relation to
Part I dealt with the definition of spirit, soul, and body. Part II dealt with picturing us in God’s photo album, the O.T. tabernacle. Now let us see the practical benefits that such understanding gives. If the reader has not read the series before, he still should get something out of this. The others will gladly be sent upon request.
What are some of the practical benefits derived from such a study? REST is one. How many scores of people (not to mention our own experience) have we seen enter into rest just by receiving these basic truths. Is it any wonder that, as the crescendo is in music, we find Heb.4:12 finishing up the message of rest? "For the Word of God is... dividing asunder of soul and spirit..."
EFFICIENCY is another practical benefit. A mechanic is efficient because he saves much time as he knows what makes the engine "tick." Human psychology deals with human behavior in an attempt to help solve the basic problem of all, man himself. God’s Word gives the full answer to this however. We discussed previously the ministries of our five soul senses. Sometimes there is warfare in the soul members (Rom.7:23). If we see what member is out of God’s will, then we can efficiently deal with that. Some allow Satan to borrow their imagination and if they knew what was going on they could quickly stop it. Imagination (ability to visualize), reason, affection, conscience and memory should all pull together.
UNITY is a result of seeing these truths. Christ’s prayer in John 17, "that they all may be one," is answered when, by unity of the Spirit, we are drawn together, but then by unity of Truth we are kept together. "How can two walk together except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). Truth always lies in balance. The so-called Arminianists and Calvinists are looking at two sides of the same great truth of "Salvation." One looks at justification and says with Christ, "It is finished," or with Paul, "Ye are complete in Him" (Col. 2:10). The other looks at the daily sanctification of our soul and sees that we are being finished; or as Paul also in Colossians wrote of Epaphras, that he was praying "that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (4:12). Such seemingly contradictory verses suddenly fit into place, one with the other, when this truth is understood. Later we will deal further on that.
UNDERSTANDING with its by-product of "full assurance" (Col. 2:2) comes when one sees the overall picture. Also this makes us understanding of one another. The "legalistic" believer will lose, not his convictions but his condemnation, when grace gives him a gracious attitude toward the weak on in the faith. Nor will Satan keep him under condemnation, altho He still will be subject to the Spirit’s conviction. As it has been, one extreme has been so critical of the other extreme.
Understanding in the Word is like roots that will tide you thru the storm and cause you to grow, maybe for the first time in your life, instead of being always a babe.
We could mention many more results of this balanced teaching. But let us delve into some of this "understanding" that was just mentioned. As has been said, the Word divides between spirit and soul. Since we are made in God’s image, we must be triune too. Paul prayed that we might be "sanctified," which means "set apart," in our "spirit and soul and body..." unto Christ’s coming (1 Thess. 5:23). We are not to be like the cook that blindfoldedly goes to the pantry and makes a "hodge-podge" of just anything he casually picks up; because even if it comes from an A-1 store it will give indigestion. But many ministers fail to heed the call to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" (2 Tim. 2:15) and wonder why the people get indigestion.
As I passed thru
"Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us" (2 Cor. 1:10). Justification, sanctification, and glorification describe the three-fold deliverance just mentioned. For we were delivered, once for all, from the eternal penalty of sin (1 Thess. 1:10); that was justification and it came by the Blood, which, of course, is basis for it all. We are being delivered from the power of sin (habits, temptations) thru our daily holy walk; that is sanctification. But one day we shall yet be delivered from the presence of sin; that will be glorification at His coming.
"Justification" is a judicial or legal term. The pardoned party who has been acquitted may or may not have feelings. But "sanctification" means "set apart" which usually involves a walk. If you are in one door and desire to be "set apart" unto the other door, you must walk. "Walk" denotes our daily experience and stepping out by faith. Previously - "sanctification" has been seen to be by the Blood - it "set apart" us as far as our eternal standing, and the phase of sanctification was incorporated in justification, is also "once for all," and leaves us, spirit, soul, and body, standing perfect in Christ (Heb. 10:10, 14). Also "sanctification" was seen to be by the truth. "Sanctification" was seen to be by truth. "Sanctify them thru thy truth: they word is truth" (John 17:17). This sets us apart as far as our daily state is concerned, and is what is generally referred to as "sanctification." then the Spirit sanctified us when on being baptized with Him, we were set apart for service (Rom. 15;16), as the Levites were set apart when they were anointed with oil. When Paul wrote the saints to be wholly sanctified, including their spirit in 1 Thes. 5:23, he knew that altho they had, by the new birth, a perfect spirit, still it needed to be set apart for service and not lie dormant. "...I serve (God) with my spirit" (Rom. 1:9). Faith, hope, and love are keys to this "so great salvation." "Therefore being justified by faith..." (Rom. 5:1). We are purified or sanctified by hope, 1 John 3:3. Love polishes us up for His coming, 1 Cor. 16:22. Of course these are like building blocks, one upon the other, so that divine hope includes faith (Rom. 4:18) and love includes the other two (1 Cor. 13:7).
"Salvation," both in the O.T. and N.T. has the thought of being "set in a safe place." Many saved people need to be "saved" in that sense. You can usually tell by its past, present or future tenses whether or not it is speaking of, respectively, justification, sanctification or glorification. Examples of this are Titus 3:5-7, Phil. 2:12,13, and Rom. 13:11.
Nor is it to be supposed that the words, "spirit, soul, and body" are mentioned every time the Word refers to them. An example of this is 1 John 3:2,3 and 4:17, where by contrast it says that "we shall be like Him"; we are being like Him and, in so many words, that we have already been made like Him. "Because as (kathos is used, denoting ‘alike in every particular’) He is, so are we in this world." Physically we shall be like Him, at glorification. Now our soul is being like Him if it is being purified by hope, But "He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit" and our spirit, born of God’s Spirit (John 3:6), is already like Him. A full-grown High Priest is within our holy of holies.
It is sinless too, nor can even the wicked one touch it. 1 John 3:9 and 5:18 are powerful verses to show this. But "Whosoever is born of God... that cannot sin" is speaking of even more than just the spirit alone. For it speaks of Christ and the divine nature, to a babe to begin with (1 Pet. 2:2); that divine nature is taking root in the areas of our soul life that we submit to Him.
In fact the soul is compared to "tilled land." "Ye are God’s tilled land" (Cor. 3:9, literal). Three things make a good garden. They are cultivation (hoeing and fertilizing) which speaks of the cross in our lives, and there is the seed, like the Word, and the rain which is like the Spirit that refreshes dry land. The ground was natural vegetation before it was cut back. Our soul is "soulish" or "natural" and "the natural man receiveth no the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Cor. 2:14). Sometimes poisonous plants creep into it and it becomes more than just "natural"; it becomes carnal, fleshly. But on submitting to the Divine Gardener, He makes it fruitful and spiritual. God grant that the Word of God divide between, or show up (for what it is worth), the spiritual from the soulish. Whether it is high liturgy or vase jazzy religious music, while it may deceive the sensual man, it cannot deceive the Spirit of God.
We are like a camera that is focused upon and object, in this case Christ. The camera must be still. If we stop working for salvation and pull the trigger of faith, we find a full-grown replica of Christ stamped upon the negative, in this case our spirit. But it must go thru the dark room and one photographer said he had six liquids in his room that developed it before he could frame it. yes, our soul is in the dark room of life and as noted in a previous article there are seven calls to the throne, the seventh being when Christ comes and we will be "framed," as it were, in our glorified body.
Justification is the Father’s reckoning of divine life to us. Sanctification is our receiving the life of the Son. Daily this continues. Glorification is the Spirit’s revealing this life thru us, not only now (John 15:8) but when He changes our bodies to be like unto Christ’s glorious body.
There are three judgments that particularly concern the individual believer. The first was at
We saw in Part II that "grace and truth" were balanced together in our lives. How do they relate together? Truth points us to the right way, but grace is God’s sufficiency (2 Cor.9:8) to get us there. Also we saw that the tabernacle pictures our "heart" and that the two rooms in it picture our soul and spirit. The tabernacle consisted of 32 main items, also made up of 32 provisions. Its wilderness journey consisted of 32 stops. Since it pictures the heart we aren’t surprised to know that the numerical value, in Hebrew for heart, "leb," is 32. The two consonants "l" (lamed) and "b" (beth) mean in Hebrew "to teach" and "house, tent." The "heart" is the house where God reveals His will to man. Allegorically we can say that the Hebrew word "leb" pictures the heart as a house where we are taught. Jeremiah saw the heart as a house or tabernacle for he dais, "I am pained at the walls of my heart" (Jer. 4:19, literal).
We are like a minute universe. Is it wrong to say that we are pictured by the universe? Would not our bodies be pictured by the earth-ball? Would not our spirits be pictured by the limitless heavens above earth’s atmosphere? After all, our spirits are made to have contact with the infinite. the Hebrew word "ruach," spirit, can also mean "a region" of the sky. In this case our soul would be pictured by the atmospheric heavens ozone around the earth. Yes, our soul is subject to the clouds of life and can become quite moody. Sometimes storms brew in it too. Nimrod’s spirit is alive today for again we see man trying to build his towers of
Our spirit has three functions habitation (for Christ dwells in it), revelation (for it’s the link between God and the soul), and respiration (James 2:26).
Our spirit was created, for God breathed His creative breath into Adam. Our soul was "made" in the sense that "man became a living soul," and "became" and "made" (Isa. 57:16) involves a process that doesn’t stop till death. But physically he was "formed... of the dust of the ground" (Gen.2:7). Isaiah sums it all up when he says, "for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him" (43:7).
Our spirit yearns to worship God. Our soul yearns to walk with God. Our body, if under subjection to the Spirit, will work for God. Altogether they unite to become a witness for God.
Our spirit originated from above. Our body originated from below. Our soul is caught in the middle and becomes a battleground. The outposts that guard the soul are its five senses. Sometimes the soul "has a mind of its own" but it is too weak to hold out against two strong forces so ends up as a vassal state to one or the other. When the enemy has built its structure there it must be torn down and cleansed. This process we call "sanctification" for only then is it "set apart" unto God’s use. But also there must be a building up of the new life, which process is called "consecration." The O.T. word for "consecration" comes from the word "to fill, or be full of." And as God builds His structure of faith within us we become a mighty bulwark filled with the fullness of God. The O.T. word for "faith," "faithfulness," and "truth" (emunah) is synonymous, and comes from the word "aman" which means "to build up." Amen comes also from "aman." (Then that little boy mentioned previously who combined "in," the first word, with "Amen," the last word, to show that the Bible was to be placed "in a man" was not so mistaken after all! God give us more childlike receptivity!) Each new truth that God, not just our intellect, sets in our soul, fills us a little more with the new creation. The first of all truth stones that was set in was heart faith that God "is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). God wants His faith structure, His new creation, to fill our whole soul.
If in this atomic age such wonders can be done by applying natural laws, why not let God make us wise to apply His spiritual laws, Instead of ending in destruction, which man’s wisdom does, this will end in the mighty Church coming forth upon the last great battlefield before Christ comes. The two forces are marshaling all the strength they have. Satan knows that his time is short. Daniel looked forward to now and said "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament" (12:3). The trumpet call is about to sound. When it seems things cannot get better, we are going home. "even so come Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20).
Separating the Spirit and the Soul
Article "SEPARATING THE SPIRIT AND THE SOUL" Originally published in THE TEXAS GRACE COUNSELOR in March-April 1973, Glen W. Ewing, editor
Early churches leaders’ failure to divide the man’s SPIRIT and SOUL caused the great visible body of Christ to be divided into two schools of thought, known as the Calvinists and the Arminianists. The former group major on the SPIRIT of man and the scriptures dealing with justification. The latter group major on the soul needs of man and the scriptures dealing with sanctification. The Apostle Paul in both scriptures of Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23, divided the human soul from the human spirit. In the Hebrews scripture he wrote, "For the Word of God is quickening, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of SOUL and SPIRIT..." God gave a sinless nature or habits of life to every creation, but sin entered Adam and Eve and changed human sinless nature to a sinful nature. Thus the Christian, at the new birth, has Christ and His righteous nature formed in his spirit, to contend with Adam’s sinful nature, in his soul. With the entrance of sin into the human race man found sin entering his Triune life of spirit, soul and body, and in a need of a threefold salvation or deliverance. Man’s SOUL with its sovereign will to choose good from evil has a constant contact with God his Maker, thru his sinless spirit, and at the same time also has a constant contact with the world thru his physical or natural life. Until we can separate our SPIRIT and SOUL we cannot draw a line of demarcation between God’s scriptures dealing with justification and sanctification, thru which He ministers.
Let us notice the different meanings in the Bible of the SPIRIT and the SOUL. In the Old Testament Hebrew the word for SPIRIT is RUACH and for SOUL it is NEPHESH. In the New Testament Greek the word for SPIRIT is PNEUMA and for SOUL it is PSYCHE. It is well to note also the word "spirit" throughout the Bible has a duel meaning, yet using the same word. It refers to our personal spirit and also to our nature or character of soul. People speak of others having a proud, or haughty or humble, even deceiving, "spirit" or attitude of mind. Now let us look at our SOUL or MIND and its organs and faculties that is responsible for our life. The word MIND or SOUL uses the same Greek word PSYCHE, as also our INTELLECT, WILL, and HEART. Thus we can see that our soul or mind has three organs of intellect, will, and heart. To protect our life, God has given five natural senses, namely, our hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling and feeling. Our mind or soul also has five mental members or senses of faculties to protect it from all soul hazards of life. These five soul faculties seen in numerous scriptures, are the IMAGINATION, AFFECTION, CONSCIENCE, MEMORY and REASON. Romans, chapter 7, pictures a confused frustrated man whose senses or mental members are divided between God and Satan. In 7:23 one sees warfare in these members. Our SOUL is therefore an intricate mental machine that only Christ within can properly balance with His ordered life for us. We should not confuse the above SENSES with the MENTAL SINS of anger, fear, hate, envy, jealousy, greed, etc.
JUSTIFICATION is God’s ministry to our SPIRIT, as we repent and confess Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. This new birth thru the merits of our Lord’s shed blood and Christ entering our spirit seal us until the day of translation. Eph. 4:30, Rom. 8:30 and 1 Cor. 12:13. Since this redemption is God’s obligation it is eternal and gives the blood-washed believer an eternal STANDING in the family of God, even as our natural birth gave us an eternal standing as a child in our family. These scriptures concerning JUSTIFICATION are UNCONDITIONED and largely in the PAST TENSE, making it legal, and delivers us from the GUILT of Adam’s sin. Among the many scriptures and 30 unconditioned promises of eternal life, we read 1 John 3:8, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God." Christ cannot sin and indwelling our regenerated SPIRIT, sin cannot enter. But it is different with the SOUL, which is our responsibility and privilege of choice. Its need of daily deliverance from the distempers of life is met by the Holy Spirit ministry of SANCTIFICATION, as we allow Him. The provision of the Holy Spirit for every believer, as in Acts 2:4, is needful if we are to see Christ revealed in us in an overcoming life of dominion. As the Holy Spirit washes our minds or souls with God’s holy Word many times a day, He is able to sanctify or set us apart unto God. These scriptures of SANCTIFICATION are CONDITIONED and in the PRESENT TENSE and deliver us from the POWER of sin or sinful habits. Our obedience or disobedience to God’s commands determine our STATE of spiritual growth and also our REWARDS. Christ’s seven-fold redemption at
All thru the Bible one sees these TWO POSITIONS of the believer’s standing and his STATE of consecration, and God’s responsibility to the former and man’s responsibility to the latter, even tho the believer is eternally redeemed by the shed blood of
Calvary’s redemption is seen in a study of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, in Exodus 25th chapter, and in Hebrews 9th chapter. The outer courtyard speaks of the physical life that lives in contact with the world, and where God’s brazen altar was for the sin and peace offerings. Then the Inner Court of Sanctuary speaks of the soul of man, with its candlestick, shew table, and golden altar for incense. Then the Holy of Holies or innermost Court speaks of the spirit of man. The High Priests and Chief Priests entered the
Article, "SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY," Part Three, Practical Application By Robert Ewing, Published in the Texas Grace Councilor, January, 1964
The Lord has revealed the basic structure of the soul, that we will call "The Soul Set," this structure will show us the different faculties that our soul is made of, and as we identify them and understand the way they should behave according to God's Word, submitting each one of them to teh Lordship of Christ our spiritual life will develop into maturity.
When we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our human spirit was regenerated, or born again, and a full grown Christ came in to dwell forever in it. Now, as our spirits are totally perfect since the very first day of our salvation, it's in the soul that we have to grow and to be transformed into Christ's likeness, that's why most of the New Testament writings deal with the process of raising spiritual babies into mature Christians, teaching them to submit every member of this "Soul Set" to a specfic role of Christ. The essence of our Christian life is summed up in allowing Christ to fill each one of our soul faculities so we could grow to become real and true Christians.
Every time we surrender ourselvs to obey God's Word by the works of the Holy Spirit, our spiritual life will grow stronger and the flesh weaker. Since this is also true the other way around, we need to be very careful in not giving place to the devil and his clever devices, through which he's all the time trying to make us walk in the lust of the flesh, that he may devour us.
Our human bodies will then get the benefits of the Prince of Peace ruling in our soul and the covenant of divine healing, health and resurrection life will freely and continually flow from the spirit, where our Lord in His full power dwells, through our sanctified soul members, or faculties, to the needy part of our body. Every Christian carries within their spirit the Mighty Healer, but the unbelieving soul hinders the flow of God's covenmants to the sick.
God, in order to make us overcomers so we may recieve that double portion of inheritance in His kingdom, is far more interested in healing our eternal souls than our mortal bodies. Thus, through the Father's disciplines and the conviction of the Holy Spirit by the Word of truth, we will learn how to control our Soul Set, bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ, the stirring up the healing process of our souls.
Space here doesn't permit to look in a more detailed way every soul member with all its bibical reference, stories, charcters, and relationships that would reveal the vast extent of this beautiful subject, but for the purpose of the present study we aer outlining on the following chart what role of Christ will be needed for each faculty of our soul, and as long as we learn and experience them in our daily walk, with Paul we will be able to testify "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Inner Court twice each day, as Christ must enter our soul life daily to minister, but only the High Priest alone could enter into the Holiest of Holies once each year on the Day Of Atonement. And then he must enter with the blood of the sin offering. This speaks of our spirit where Christ our High Priest entered but once, to sanctify us forever,
Christ was the divine tabernacle in which deity dwelled. "And the Word was made flesh and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) In the last article we described minutely the tabernacle pieces but since some may read who missed that, we will list the parts in the chart. The tabernacle was in an open "outer court" (see no. 3) which faced east always. In this outer court were two items, the brass altar (see F) and the brass laver (E). The priests washed their hands and feet therein before and after ministering at the altar where sacrifices were laid. Then the first room, called the "holy house" had five pillars holding the front door screen. In this room (no. 2) were the table of shewbread (B) upon which twelve unleavened loaves rested till each sabbath when they were eaten by the priests, Aaron and his sons. On the south side (C) was the seven-fold candlestick which was trimmed and shoe mightily. Number (D) shows the incense altar which belonged in the inner back room but (according to the Hebrew Mishna) which was loaned to the holy house due to its daily use. This fact is verified by Paul in Hebr. 9:2-4 where "golden censer" is called "golden altar" by reliable scholars. "Wherein was the candlestick, and the table" Paul says of these two in the front room. But concerning the last room (no. 1), or "holy of holies" it says "which had the golden altar..." "Wherein" denotes location but "which had" denotes possession. It belonged to the inner holies. Four pillars held up the veil that separated the two rooms. A fifth, heavenly pillar protruding from the cloud of the Spirit above rested over the mercy-seat which was the lid over the ark (A). Also there were four coverings overlaying the tabernacle which overlapped the walls. Forty-eight boards, ten cubits high (a cubit is one and a half feet) overlaid, like the furniture pieces, with gold. Only the outer court pieces were brass, the laver pure brass, and the candlesticks within were of pure gold.
That the tabernacle (and its sequel, the temple) are types of truths that concern us today is beyond question to anyone who knows the Bible; that they can picture the individual is seen in their purpose (Ex. 25:8), that is to be "a sanctuary that I may dwell among them." That places it as a type not only of Christ, nor the Church, but also of us individually. Paul, Peter, and Christ bear witness to this (Jn. 2:19, 1 Cor. 3:16, 2 Cor. 5:1-4, 2 P. 1:14).
If the tabernacle pictures Christ and if "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (Jn. 1:17) we can expect to see these balanced therein. We do: For there are three sets of twins as far as furniture. These each are "grace and truth" twins. The brass altar where the sacrifices’ blood was shed pictures grace. The laver pictures the cleansing of the truth. Christ cleanses His Church by (literally) "the laver of water by the Word" (Eph. 5:26). Then the table of shewbread, inside, balances with the candlesticks. In contrast to the brass altar where grace is shown as "unmerited favor" here it is pictured as "divine sufficiency" for the oil supply continued daily. Then we see the ark of the covenant wherein was the law and manna - truth - and in contrast the golden altar picturing prayer or praise by which grace is stored up.
In fact let us see Christ Himself in the tabernacle since He is in the believer and such is pictured by it. John lists Christ as being seven "I AMs." "I AM the Bread of Life" (Jn. 6:35). He is our "shewbread" or "Presence bread" that we as priests eat. "It is most holy... of the offerings... made by fire" (Lev. 24:9). It was taken from the people (v. 8). It was covered up in golden dishes until time to eat; yes, we minister truth one to another and it must come by revelation, be uncovered.
"I AM the light of the World" but now He says "Ye are the light of the world" (Jn. 9:5, Matt. 5:14). There is no contradiction, only now He shines thru us. This is pictured by the candlesticks.
"I AM the Door" (Jn. 10:9). He is the rent veil that we may come boldly unto the throne of grace (Heb. 10:20).
"I AM the Good Shepherd" (Jn. 10:11). Aaron the high priest pictures His as such.
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn. 11:25). He is seen as the Angel of God who stood in the pillar over the mercy-seat, and Who, on rising up with the pillar, caused
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (Jn. 14:6); for He is seen by the ark which led
"I AM the true Vine" (Jn. 15:1). A true vine shelters. We are to abide in Him. Here we see Him pictured by the four coverings. The outer badger skin pictures His body (actually made of many dead badgers who once lived in the earth). When He gave His personal body it multiplied into many more. Next, we see the rams skins dyed red; this pictures His Blood. "It is the blood that maketh a covering for the soul" (Lev. 17:11). Next we see the 11 curtained goats hair covering or a picture of His soul given to us. Goats speak of humanity. Remember it was the scapegoat that pictured His soul’s death in the time of Atonement. Lastly, as if both a foundation for all other coverings, and the ceiling of the tabernacle, is the 10 curtained white embroidered linen one, with colored cherubim therein. It was, in fact, called "the tabernacle." We "are complete in Him" because He has given His complete self for us. If He had withheld back one part of Himself then that particular part of us would not have had its surety before the Father. Since the Father sees the final end, as if we’re already glorified (Rms. 8:29, 30), it is no strain for Him to reckon Christ’s life as ours (Col. 3:4).
There are three pictures each of our spirit, soul and body in the tabernacle. One of these three sets has just been mentioned, for the Father sees us "accepted in the beloved"; now for the next two sets. The world sees us as just a foreigner would have seen the tabernacle and its rooms as it passed by or as the passed by. Of course they could not have seen inside the rooms, but the could tell that there was an "outer court" - this would picture the body, and they could merely see the upright walls that housed the two rooms. The front "holy house" pictures our soul, and the inner holies our spirit. Neither can the world today, looking from the outside of God’s creations, divide thru human wisdom between spirit and soul. But the triune lay-out of the whole structure pictures the world’s limited picture of us individually. How do we see ourselves, as a trinity? Is this shown in the tabernacle? Yes, for we are recognized by our triune ministries.
The brass altar upon the brass grating pictures our body upon the cross (brass speaks of judgment). Since the altar itself is basically wood which speaks of humanity, that necessitates it representing some part of us; and being in the outer court, itself a picture of our body, that is what it must picture. Our bodies have a ministry of sacrifice too.
The soul, in its ministry and as we see it, is pictured by the candlesticks; and the spirit, in its ministry of worship is seen pictured by the golden altar. This is no contradiction to the usual way of explaining that, in this front or "soul" room, the table of shewbread represents our intellect, which is to hold God’s unleavened bread; that the candlesticks represent our will, and that the altar represents our emotions. To the contrary, it is more of an enlargement of understanding on these three.
Since a look at the soul’s ministry as pictured by the candlesticks will be more detailed, let us notice first the golden altar. It is not hard to believe that our spirit has a ministry of teaching the soul how to worship, but what may be new is that the incense altar pictures this. Would this contradict the view that the personal spirit itself does not sin: that it is the "attitude" in the soul, often termed "spirit," that is liable to sin? No, for "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Jn. 3:6), and "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; because he is born of God" (1 Jn. 3:9). In fact he "keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not" (1 Jn. 5:18). And that seed is incorruptible, produced by the incorruptible Word (1 P. 1:23). Paul speaks of our spirit praying when we pray in tongues. This is some of that sweet incense, when it is Christ centered, that arises from the incense altar (1 Cor. 14:14, Eph. 6:18, Rev. 8:3). Since God is love and "he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit" (1 Cor. 6:17), there is deep emotion in the regenerated spirit. That the spirit is a rational being and, by its link with divine union, tapped to the infinite, is seen in the literal rendering of 1 Cor. 2:11. "For what man knoweth the things of a man except the spirit of (that) man in him?" By the five spirit senses of faith, hope and love, fear and reverence, and thru the nine gifts of the Spirit, God provides channels to benefit our soul from the spirit’s limitless storehouse.
The soul’s ministry as seen in the candlesticks is an intricate ministry. Look at the twenty-two "bowls made like almonds" (Ex. 25:33). The Word shows that we are to have the "fullness" of twenty-two things. There are nine "knops (ornamental columns) and their flowers." Space prohibits saying too much. But this gold was once mixed with alloy and so was our soul until it became renewed to be as His soul (gold speaks of the divine nature). There are special vessels with it. They are tongs-- (...tweezers, snuffdishes, to hold the trimmings apparently) and oil vessels. God give us love tongs that we do not pick up the other brother’s fallen testimony with critical finger; give us hope that we may carry our tests patiently, and faith that will lay hold of the oil.
But if there were no lamps the purpose of the candlesticks would be void. This is where the picture of the will is seen. For the will is not single faculty in itself; it is, on the one hand, the expression of ones desire, and then it is the carrying out of this purpose (Eph. 1:9). We have seen that the word for the complete mind, which constitutes all our intellect ("nous"), the five senses of reason, our mental faculties, is "dianoia." This consists of memory, imagination, conscience, affections, and also emotions. The will of the soul is expressed in that phrase, "put your mind together" or "make up your mind." For when the soul does this it has the above collection of seven faculties to carry out its desires. The soul itself grows. Look at the base of the candlestick. As it gets higher, it is like a tree growing up, it enlarges and starts branching out. There are basic "drives," desires (for security, attention, etc.) that make these branches. But they can never find full satisfaction until they end up, as the lamps on the end, full of the Holy Spirit, shining for Christ. In fact it is He shining thru them, and performing His will. We must train our will by the Spirit to line up with the Word. Authority is invested in our will. What we will to do, we set our whole mental machine in motion to perform. Satan’s five "I wills" reveal himself so God cast him out (Isa. 14:12-14). So while our "will" is this sevenfold mental machine - the lamps _ it originated from the soul - the candlestick; "doing the will of God from the (psuche) soul" (Eph. 5:5).
The soul’s sense of touch, the affection, is the activity of the emotions. (Of course the flesh can substitute false emotions too.) The soul’s sense of taste, reason, is the intellect operating itself upon our soul. (The Hebrew word "taam" is used interchangeably for "taste" and "reason.") The soul’s smell sense, conscience, is, when not substituted by Satan or some church group, the Holy Spirit operating upon our soul to give us discernment between good and bad. Memory is the ear of the soul that picks up voices, in our soul, from the past. Imagination is the eye of the soul. Unlike our limited definition of it, the old Hebrew and English words alike carry its true meaning. It visualizes unseen objects for the soul and forms the soul and forms the soul’s desires into definite purposes and inspires one until these are realized. Since imagination is the soul itself operating upon itself to fashion it and the mental faculties like it desires, imagination can be compared to the central shaft of the candlesticks that all the others come out from. David foresaw the Lord always before Him that he should not be moved (Ps. 16:8).
This combined activity of the soul just mentioned is "the law of the mind." But when the soul submits to sin’s nature it is called "the law of sin and death"; or to Christ’s nature, then it becomes "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus"; or to the supernatural Word, then it is "the law of faith."
Sometimes a civil war rages in the members (Rms. 7:23). This comes when one is "weakwilled" concerning the things of god and does not set all his faculties firmly towards the goal of his purpose, which should be to follow Christ. In fact, although we’ve already mentioned that "onus" means intellect, and that "Diana" means the complete mind, still there is a third main word for "mind"; and it suggests this very thought, that of setting ones mind, inclining it to do a definite act. The "onus" acts like conscious thoughts that it considers unimportant and to put the other into the soul.
The combined activity of our mental faculties, when armed together, gives "strength." That is why, along with our heart, soul and mind we are to also love God with al our "strength." This also is the impersonal "spirit" or attitude that needs cleansing (2 Cor. 7:1).
The law of our mind, consisting of our intellect, will, and emotions, varies in different races. Some have a strong intellect, but lack in emotions, and others have the opposite. When God made His ancient people He made them the most well-rounded of all people. "This people have I formed for myself" (Is. 43:21). But what has its advantages also has its advantages; for it takes more consecration to keep the whole mind dedicated to God when we have more of it.
Where are the four laws pictured in the tabernacle? Aaron, the high priest, pictures the "law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus." Eleanor, his son, had "oversight of all the tabernacle" and furniture (Num. 4:16) so pictures the "law of the mind"; for while it is responsible to Christ, still it has responsibility over our daily walk. Ithamar means "Coast of
When the law of sin operates upon the candlestick lamps of our being, upon our seven mental faculties, we have the sins listed in Prov. 6:16-19, which "are an abomination of His soul." But when the law of the spirit of life starts playing the strings of life’s heart we have the harmony of 2 Pet. 1:5-7.
In closing, life is like a garden, we are the keepers. God furnishes the right seed, the Word, and the rain, the Spirit, and the cross in our life with which to plow. But what are the garden instruments? Here again is where the five soul senses are important. For the five senses in their relation to
SPIRIT, SOUL and BODY, By ROBERT
PART III, PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Knowledge can supply facts but only wisdom can apply them. May the reader ask God then for His Spirit of wisdom. Part I dealt with the definition of spirit, soul, and body. Part II dealt with picturing us in God’s photo album, the O.T. tabernacle. Now let us see the practical benefits that such understanding gives. If the reader has not read the series before, he still should get something out of this. The others will gladly be sent upon request.
What are some of the practical benefits derived from such a study? REST is one. How many scores of people (not to mention our own experience) have we seen enter into rest just by receiving these basic truths. Is it any wonder that, as the crescendo is in music, we find Heb.4:12 finishing up the message of rest? "For the Word of God is... dividing asunder of soul and spirit..."
EFFICIENCY is another practical benefit. A mechanic is efficient because he saves much time as he knows what makes the engine "tick." Human psychology deals with human behavior in an attempt to help solve the basic problem of all, man himself. God’s Word gives the full answer to this however. We discussed previously the ministries of our five soul senses. Sometimes there is warfare in the soul members (Rom.7:23). If we see what member is out of God’s will, then we can efficiently deal with that. Some allow Satan to borrow their imagination and if they knew what was going on they could quickly stop it. Imagination (ability to visualize), reason, affection, conscience and memory should all pull together.
UNITY is a result of seeing these truths. Christ’s prayer in John 17, "that they all may be one," is answered when, by unity of the Spirit, we are drawn together, but then by unity of Truth we are kept together. "How can two walk together except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). Truth always lies in balance. The so-called Arminianists and Calvinists are looking at two sides of the same great truth of "Salvation." One looks at justification and says with Christ, "It is finished," or with Paul, "Ye are complete in Him" (Col. 2:10). The other looks at the daily sanctification of our soul and sees that we are being finished; or as Paul also in Colossians wrote of Epaphras, that he was praying "that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (4:12). Such seemingly contradictory verses suddenly fit into place, one with the other, when this truth is understood. Later we will deal further on that.
UNDERSTANDING with its by-product of "full assurance" (Col. 2:2) comes when one sees the overall picture. Also this makes us understanding of one another. The "legalistic" believer will lose, not his convictions but his condemnation, when grace gives him a gracious attitude toward the weak on in the faith. Nor will Satan keep him under condemnation, altho He still will be subject to the Spirit’s conviction. As it has been, one extreme has been so critical of the other extreme.
Understanding in the Word is like roots that will tide you thru the storm and cause you to grow, maybe for the first time in your life, instead of being always a babe.
We could mention many more results of this balanced teaching. But let us delve into some of this "understanding" that was just mentioned. As has been said, the Word divides between spirit and soul. Since we are made in God’s image, we must be triune too. Paul prayed that we might be "sanctified," which means "set apart," in our "spirit and soul and body..." unto Christ’s coming (1 Thess. 5:23). We are not to be like the cook that blindfoldedly goes to the pantry and makes a "hodge-podge" of just anything he casually picks up; because even if it comes from an A-1 store it will give indigestion. But many ministers fail to heed the call to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" (2 Tim. 2:15) and wonder why the people get indigestion.
As I passed thru
"Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us" (2 Cor. 1:10). Justification, sanctification, and glorification describe the three-fold deliverance just mentioned. For we were delivered, once for all, from the eternal penalty of sin (1 Thess. 1:10); that was justification and it came by the Blood, which, of course, is basis for it all. We are being delivered from the power of sin (habits, temptations) thru our daily holy walk; that is sanctification. But one day we shall yet be delivered from the presence of sin; that will be glorification at His coming.
"Justification" is a judicial or legal term. The pardoned party who has been acquitted may or may not have feelings. But "sanctification" means "set apart" which usually involves a walk. If you are in one door and desire to be "set apart" unto the other door, you must walk. "Walk" denotes our daily experience and stepping out by faith. Previously - "sanctification" has been seen to be by the Blood - it "set apart" us as far as our eternal standing, and the phase of sanctification was incorporated in justification, is also "once for all," and leaves us, spirit, soul, and body, standing perfect in Christ (Heb. 10:10, 14). Also "sanctification" was seen to be by the truth. "Sanctification" was seen to be by truth. "Sanctify them thru thy truth: they word is truth" (John 17:17). This sets us apart as far as our daily state is concerned, and is what is generally referred to as "sanctification." then the Spirit sanctified us when on being baptized with Him, we were set apart for service (Rom. 15;16), as the Levites were set apart when they were anointed with oil. When Paul wrote the saints to be wholly sanctified, including their spirit in 1 Thes. 5:23, he knew that altho they had, by the new birth, a perfect spirit, still it needed to be set apart for service and not lie dormant. "...I serve (God) with my spirit" (Rom. 1:9). Faith, hope, and love are keys to this "so great salvation." "Therefore being justified by faith..." (Rom. 5:1). We are purified or sanctified by hope, 1 John 3:3. Love polishes us up for His coming, 1 Cor. 16:22. Of course these are like building blocks, one upon the other, so that divine hope includes faith (Rom. 4:18) and love includes the other two (1 Cor. 13:7).
"Salvation," both in the O.T. and N.T. has the thought of being "set in a safe place." Many saved people need to be "saved" in that sense. You can usually tell by its past, present or future tenses whether or not it is speaking of, respectively, justification, sanctification or glorification. Examples of this are Titus 3:5-7, Phil. 2:12,13, and Rom. 13:11.
Nor is it to be supposed that the words, "spirit, soul, and body" are mentioned every time the Word refers to them. An example of this is 1 John 3:2,3 and 4:17, where by contrast it says that "we shall be like Him"; we are being like Him and, in so many words, that we have already been made like Him. "Because as (kathos is used, denoting ‘alike in every particular’) He is, so are we in this world." Physically we shall be like Him, at glorification. Now our soul is being like Him if it is being purified by hope, But "He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit" and our spirit, born of God’s Spirit (John 3:6), is already like Him. A full-grown High Priest is within our holy of holies.
It is sinless too, nor can even the wicked one touch it. 1 John 3:9 and 5:18 are powerful verses to show this. But "Whosoever is born of God... that cannot sin" is speaking of even more than just the spirit alone. For it speaks of Christ and the divine nature, to a babe to begin with (1 Pet. 2:2); that divine nature is taking root in the areas of our soul life that we submit to Him.
In fact the soul is compared to "tilled land." "Ye are God’s tilled land" (Cor. 3:9, literal). Three things make a good garden. They are cultivation (hoeing and fertilizing) which speaks of the cross in our lives, and there is the seed, like the Word, and the rain which is like the Spirit that refreshes dry land. The ground was natural vegetation before it was cut back. Our soul is "soulish" or "natural" and "the natural man receiveth no the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Cor. 2:14). Sometimes poisonous plants creep into it and it becomes more than just "natural"; it becomes carnal, fleshly. But on submitting to the Divine Gardener, He makes it fruitful and spiritual. God grant that the Word of God divide between, or show up (for what it is worth), the spiritual from the soulish. Whether it is high liturgy or vase jazzy religious music, while it may deceive the sensual man, it cannot deceive the Spirit of God.
We are like a camera that is focused upon and object, in this case Christ. The camera must be still. If we stop working for salvation and pull the trigger of faith, we find a full-grown replica of Christ stamped upon the negative, in this case our spirit. But it must go thru the dark room and one photographer said he had six liquids in his room that developed it before he could frame it. yes, our soul is in the dark room of life and as noted in a previous article there are seven calls to the throne, the seventh being when Christ comes and we will be "framed," as it were, in our glorified body.
Justification is the Father’s reckoning of divine life to us. Sanctification is our receiving the life of the Son. Daily this continues. Glorification is the Spirit’s revealing this life thru us, not only now (John 15:8) but when He changes our bodies to be like unto Christ’s glorious body.
There are three judgments that particularly concern the individual believer. The first was at
We saw in Part II that "grace and truth" were balanced together in our lives. How do they relate together? Truth points us to the right way, but grace is God’s sufficiency (2 Cor.9:8) to get us there. Also we saw that the tabernacle pictures our "heart" and that the two rooms in it picture our soul and spirit. The tabernacle consisted of 32 main items, also made up of 32 provisions. Its wilderness journey consisted of 32 stops. Since it pictures the heart we aren’t surprised to know that the numerical value, in Hebrew for heart, "leb," is 32. The two consonants "l" (lamed) and "b" (beth) mean in Hebrew "to teach" and "house, tent." The "heart" is the house where God reveals His will to man. Allegorically we can say that the Hebrew word "leb" pictures the heart as a house where we are taught. Jeremiah saw the heart as a house or tabernacle for he dais, "I am pained at the walls of my heart" (Jer. 4:19, literal).
We are like a minute universe. Is it wrong to say that we are pictured by the universe? Would not our bodies be pictured by the earth-ball? Would not our spirits be pictured by the limitless heavens above earth’s atmosphere? After all, our spirits are made to have contact with the infinite. the Hebrew word "ruach," spirit, can also mean "a region" of the sky. In this case our soul would be pictured by the atmospheric heavens ozone around the earth. Yes, our soul is subject to the clouds of life and can become quite moody. Sometimes storms brew in it too. Nimrod’s spirit is alive today for again we see man trying to build his towers of
Our spirit has three functions habitation (for Christ dwells in it), revelation (for it’s the link between God and the soul), and respiration (James 2:26).
Our spirit was created, for God breathed His creative breath into Adam. Our soul was "made" in the sense that "man became a living soul," and "became" and "made" (Isa. 57:16) involves a process that doesn’t stop till death. But physically he was "formed... of the dust of the ground" (Gen.2:7). Isaiah sums it all up when he says, "for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him" (43:7).
Our spirit yearns to worship God. Our soul yearns to walk with God. Our body, if under subjection to the Spirit, will work for God. Altogether they unite to become a witness for God.
Our spirit originated from above. Our body originated from below. Our soul is caught in the middle and becomes a battleground. The outposts that guard the soul are its five senses. Sometimes the soul "has a mind of its own" but it is too weak to hold out against two strong forces so ends up as a vassal state to one or the other. When the enemy has built its structure there it must be torn down and cleansed. This process we call "sanctification" for only then is it "set apart" unto God’s use. But also there must be a building up of the new life, which process is called "consecration." The O.T. word for "consecration" comes from the word "to fill, or be full of." And as God builds His structure of faith within us we become a mighty bulwark filled with the fullness of God. The O.T. word for "faith," "faithfulness," and "truth" (emunah) is synonymous, and comes from the word "aman" which means "to build up." Amen comes also from "aman." (Then that little boy mentioned previously who combined "in," the first word, with "Amen," the last word, to show that the Bible was to be placed "in a man" was not so mistaken after all! God give us more childlike receptivity!) Each new truth that God, not just our intellect, sets in our soul, fills us a little more with the new creation. The first of all truth stones that was set in was heart faith that God "is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). God wants His faith structure, His new creation, to fill our whole soul.
If in this atomic age such wonders can be done by applying natural laws, why not let God make us wise to apply His spiritual laws, Instead of ending in destruction, which man’s wisdom does, this will end in the mighty Church coming forth upon the last great battlefield before Christ comes. The two forces are marshaling all the strength they have. Satan knows that his time is short. Daniel looked forward to now and said "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament" (12:3). The trumpet call is about to sound. When it seems things cannot get better, we are going home. "even so come Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20).
Separating the Spirit and the Soul
Article "SEPARATING THE SPIRIT AND THE SOUL" Originally published in THE TEXAS GRACE COUNSELOR in March-April 1973, Glen W. Ewing, editor
Early churches leaders’ failure to divide the man’s SPIRIT and SOUL caused the great visible body of Christ to be divided into two schools of thought, known as the Calvinists and the Arminianists. The former group major on the SPIRIT of man and the scriptures dealing with justification. The latter group major on the soul needs of man and the scriptures dealing with sanctification. The Apostle Paul in both scriptures of Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23, divided the human soul from the human spirit. In the Hebrews scripture he wrote, "For the Word of God is quickening, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of SOUL and SPIRIT..." God gave a sinless nature or habits of life to every creation, but sin entered Adam and Eve and changed human sinless nature to a sinful nature. Thus the Christian, at the new birth, has Christ and His righteous nature formed in his spirit, to contend with Adam’s sinful nature, in his soul. With the entrance of sin into the human race man found sin entering his Triune life of spirit, soul and body, and in a need of a threefold salvation or deliverance. Man’s SOUL with its sovereign will to choose good from evil has a constant contact with God his Maker, thru his sinless spirit, and at the same time also has a constant contact with the world thru his physical or natural life. Until we can separate our SPIRIT and SOUL we cannot draw a line of demarcation between God’s scriptures dealing with justification and sanctification, thru which He ministers.
Let us notice the different meanings in the Bible of the SPIRIT and the SOUL. In the Old Testament Hebrew the word for SPIRIT is RUACH and for SOUL it is NEPHESH. In the New Testament Greek the word for SPIRIT is PNEUMA and for SOUL it is PSYCHE. It is well to note also the word "spirit" throughout the Bible has a duel meaning, yet using the same word. It refers to our personal spirit and also to our nature or character of soul. People speak of others having a proud, or haughty or humble, even deceiving, "spirit" or attitude of mind. Now let us look at our SOUL or MIND and its organs and faculties that is responsible for our life. The word MIND or SOUL uses the same Greek word PSYCHE, as also our INTELLECT, WILL, and HEART. Thus we can see that our soul or mind has three organs of intellect, will, and heart. To protect our life, God has given five natural senses, namely, our hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling and feeling. Our mind or soul also has five mental members or senses of faculties to protect it from all soul hazards of life. These five soul faculties seen in numerous scriptures, are the IMAGINATION, AFFECTION, CONSCIENCE, MEMORY and REASON. Romans, chapter 7, pictures a confused frustrated man whose senses or mental members are divided between God and Satan. In 7:23 one sees warfare in these members. Our SOUL is therefore an intricate mental machine that only Christ within can properly balance with His ordered life for us. We should not confuse the above SENSES with the MENTAL SINS of anger, fear, hate, envy, jealousy, greed, etc.
JUSTIFICATION is God’s ministry to our SPIRIT, as we repent and confess Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. This new birth thru the merits of our Lord’s shed blood and Christ entering our spirit seal us until the day of translation. Eph. 4:30, Rom. 8:30 and 1 Cor. 12:13. Since this redemption is God’s obligation it is eternal and gives the blood-washed believer an eternal STANDING in the family of God, even as our natural birth gave us an eternal standing as a child in our family. These scriptures concerning JUSTIFICATION are UNCONDITIONED and largely in the PAST TENSE, making it legal, and delivers us from the GUILT of Adam’s sin. Among the many scriptures and 30 unconditioned promises of eternal life, we read 1 John 3:8, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God." Christ cannot sin and indwelling our regenerated SPIRIT, sin cannot enter. But it is different with the SOUL, which is our responsibility and privilege of choice. Its need of daily deliverance from the distempers of life is met by the Holy Spirit ministry of SANCTIFICATION, as we allow Him. The provision of the Holy Spirit for every believer, as in Acts 2:4, is needful if we are to see Christ revealed in us in an overcoming life of dominion. As the Holy Spirit washes our minds or souls with God’s holy Word many times a day, He is able to sanctify or set us apart unto God. These scriptures of SANCTIFICATION are CONDITIONED and in the PRESENT TENSE and deliver us from the POWER of sin or sinful habits. Our obedience or disobedience to God’s commands determine our STATE of spiritual growth and also our REWARDS. Christ’s seven-fold redemption at
All thru the Bible one sees these TWO POSITIONS of the believer’s standing and his STATE of consecration, and God’s responsibility to the former and man’s responsibility to the latter, even tho the believer is eternally redeemed by the shed blood of
Calvary’s redemption is seen in a study of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, in Exodus 25th chapter, and in Hebrews 9th chapter. The outer courtyard speaks of the physical life that lives in contact with the world, and where God’s brazen altar was for the sin and peace offerings. Then the Inner Court of Sanctuary speaks of the soul of man, with its candlestick, shew table, and golden altar for incense. Then the Holy of Holies or innermost Court speaks of the spirit of man. The High Priests and Chief Priests entered the
Article, "SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY," Part Three, Practical Application By Robert Ewing, Published in the Texas Grace Councilor, January, 1964
The Soul Set
We find in the Scripture that the soul is the battle ground between the Spirit and the flesh so we can't do the things that we would (Gal. 5:17). The outcome of that is going to define if we become either spiritual or carnal Christians.
Being such an important subject that could affect our eternal life and rewards in heaven, we'd like to put a strong emphasis in understanding how the "soul system" works in order to obtain victory in every area of our lives. The Lord has revealed the basic structure of the soul, that we will call "The Soul Set," this structure will show us the different faculties that our soul is made of, and as we identify them and understand the way they should behave according to God's Word, submitting each one of them to teh Lordship of Christ our spiritual life will develop into maturity.
When we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our human spirit was regenerated, or born again, and a full grown Christ came in to dwell forever in it. Now, as our spirits are totally perfect since the very first day of our salvation, it's in the soul that we have to grow and to be transformed into Christ's likeness, that's why most of the New Testament writings deal with the process of raising spiritual babies into mature Christians, teaching them to submit every member of this "Soul Set" to a specfic role of Christ. The essence of our Christian life is summed up in allowing Christ to fill each one of our soul faculities so we could grow to become real and true Christians.
Every time we surrender ourselvs to obey God's Word by the works of the Holy Spirit, our spiritual life will grow stronger and the flesh weaker. Since this is also true the other way around, we need to be very careful in not giving place to the devil and his clever devices, through which he's all the time trying to make us walk in the lust of the flesh, that he may devour us.
Our human bodies will then get the benefits of the Prince of Peace ruling in our soul and the covenant of divine healing, health and resurrection life will freely and continually flow from the spirit, where our Lord in His full power dwells, through our sanctified soul members, or faculties, to the needy part of our body. Every Christian carries within their spirit the Mighty Healer, but the unbelieving soul hinders the flow of God's covenmants to the sick.
God, in order to make us overcomers so we may recieve that double portion of inheritance in His kingdom, is far more interested in healing our eternal souls than our mortal bodies. Thus, through the Father's disciplines and the conviction of the Holy Spirit by the Word of truth, we will learn how to control our Soul Set, bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ, the stirring up the healing process of our souls.
Space here doesn't permit to look in a more detailed way every soul member with all its bibical reference, stories, charcters, and relationships that would reveal the vast extent of this beautiful subject, but for the purpose of the present study we aer outlining on the following chart what role of Christ will be needed for each faculty of our soul, and as long as we learn and experience them in our daily walk, with Paul we will be able to testify "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
The Soul Set: The Roles of Christ
The Soul Set 1. The heart 2. The 5 Soul Senses 3. The 4 laws: a. The law of the mind with it's 7 stages of attention, attraction, decision, action, possession, nature, and set direction. b. The law of faith c. The law of sin and death d. the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. 4. The 7 soul drives: a. Self-persevation b. Self-expression c. Security d. Loyalty e. Control f. Knowledge by: experience, reason,revelation g. Acceptance by: identity, right criteria, friendship, destiny. 5. The directive faculties: intellect, will and emotions. 6. The life: a. Nature b. Character c. Influence 7. The 4 temperaments a. Outgoing b. Goal oriented c. Introspective d. Visionary. | The Roles of Christ 1.The Lamb, the heart of God's redemptive work. 2. Is. 9:6 He shall be called: a.Wonderful b. Mighty God c. Counselor d. Prince of peace e. Everlasting Father 3. 1 Co.1:30, Christ is made unto us: Wisdom with it's 7 pillars. Righteousness Ro.3:25-28 Sanctification. Redemption Ro.8:23. 4.The 7 I AM's in John's gospel: I am the Bread of Life: Jn. 6:35, I am the Light of the world 8:12, I am the Door of the sheep 10:7,9, I am the Good Shepherd 10:11, I am the Resurrection and the Life 11:25, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life 14:6, I am the True Vine 15:1. 5. The Lordship of Christ Phil.2:11. Christ as Lord is the driver behind the steering wheel. Our control faculty is the sterring itself, people have wrecks when the ydon't allow Christ to the driver behind the wheel. 6. Three main ministries of Christ as: Prophet (Deut. 18:15) He showed to us the divine nature and at the cross He gave it to us. Priest Sanctifying His people. Kind extending His dominion through us all over the world. 7. The four living creatures of Ezekiel and Revelation showing Christ's fourfold Glory. The Lion, seen in the Matthews gospel: The Ox, Mark: The Man, Luke: The Eagle, John. |
The Christ Mirrored Soul
"And God said, let us make man in our image and after our likeness: and let them have dominion over..." Gen 1:26. In this pre-race covenant God sets forth His divine purpose in creating man. When Adam and Eve with their own election on privilege of choice, sinned, they fell from their sinless estate. Satan's sinful nature was imparted to their race through physical generation. Then God the Father offered up God the Son, by faith in a coming Calvary, to provide fallen man with a redemption, that would restore Christ to the soul life. At that appointed time Jesus Christ the Lamb of God was offered up that His pure Life Blood might pay the redemption price for all who would receive him as their Substitute. He also gave His life and His divine nature through regenerationto the believer and teh born again one found himself with two natures. Man thus became God's only creation with two natures. By the acts of our human will, we choose good or evil and our character and personality is formed and our destiny decided.
Man-made delicately balanced and intricate computing machines are as nothing to the intricate and perfectly balanced mental machine of man. This marvelous soul-system or mind of man is set in millions of tiny brain cells of th head, closely timed and balanced with another intricate systems of nerves that move the muscles of our body. Our mind has three primary faculties, namely the intellect, the human will, and the heart of center of our being. What the human will deems important is stored in our storehouse or seedbed, the heart. "Out of the heart are the issues of life." Prov. 4:23. Our human will is the directive part of our mind. God strives with Satan each day through each of these conflicting natures, and often through the laws of suggestion to influence the acts of our human will. What our mind allows to enter our mental organs and remain there, is either of God or Satan and what feeds on enature starves the other and habits good or evil are formed.
Triune man lives on three planes of life, namely that of the spiritual, mental or physical. Each of these phases of our life have five roots each which are set in our triune life as outposts of defense against evil. Let us look at these five roots or faculties or senses. In our physical or natural life we'll have the senses of faculties of Sight, Hearing, Tasting, Smelling and Feeling. And in our Spiritual life we have the five senses of Faith, Hope, Charity, Fear or respect of God shown by true Worship and Revelation. Let's examine more closely the five soul senses or faculties since through them our body acts and our character is formed, often changing from time to time. At the moment of our salvation or new birth, God restores Christ to our soul consciousness and mirrors His Life nature fully in our minds and our delicate and in harmony with God again.
Often evil spirits oppress and possess the minds of weak willed people whose intellects have been given over to carnal worldy habits as the their, drunkard, gambler, etc. But our souls and soul-consciousness is eternal and must spend eternity somewhere. In hell the rich man of Lk.16:19-31 still retained all of these five senses and faculties. The first sine entered into Lucifer's mind in highest heaven, Isa.14:14 and the Church was conceived in the sufferings of Christ Soul in lowest hell. Ps.139:15-16. Small children's immature sould life is often blighted and diseased by the proud parents spoiling them through over indulgence or by careless undisciplined words and actions in the home. The television has filled our small children's mind with worldiness, and puts guns on the kids that ride the sidewalks on tricycles. Christian homes need to restor the old famly altar, and teach obedience to God's Word and practice self-denial. A deep consecration saves the soul from mental distempers of worry, fear, etc.
An illustration of a stronger will controlling a weaker or yielded human will, is seen in the case of hypnotism. This often happens withour our own mental faculties when we have carelessly loaned one or more of these five mental faculties to Satan in worldly pleasure, etc., find a warfare within our own mind members or faculties. This brings our minds into a state of indecision, or uncertainty that ends in confusion and frustration. Often we do not find the deep seated cause or know what is the matter. The Bible contrasts good and evil, in life experiences. In the 7th abd 8th chapters of Romans, the Apostle Paul contrasts the believer with warfare in his senses or member of his mind, and the Spirit-filled believer at rest. The worldly weak willed believer in the 7th chapter having lost the power of his will to resist the Satan controlled sense or faculty or member of his soul-life, is terribly frustrated and defeated. Lets examine more closely theses five senses, faculties, or members of our mind. They are Imagination, Affection, conscience, Reason and Memory.
What does the Bible say concerning each of the above faculties that minister life or death to you and others, and are the roots of your trouble? The word Imagination is in scripture 19 times, and has a minstiry of inspritation to your love, faith and obedience towards God. It helps you to imagine God answering your prayer and need. But Satan gains control and makes it evil in imaginations of fear, doubts, etc. In 2 Cor.10:5 we read, "Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and brining into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
The next of the five senses in that of Affection, through which Christ ministers His love. There are nine scriptures concerning it. When Satan-controlled it turns to a passion to defeat you. The Apostle Paul gives his advice in Col.3:2, "Set your afflictions on things above and not on things of the earth." Pure affection is seen in the unspoiled life of any small child.
The next faculty of our soul is consciousness is Conscience which ministry is to warn and cry against sin and convict our heart of evil that is allowed to enter. Its in the scripture 23 times. We read in Heb. 9:14, "...purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God".
The next of our five faculties of the mind is Reason. Its a ministry of selectin imporant things for our life and establishing our intellects with proven things. In the training of our intellects with the wisdom and knowledge of men which is essential we should guard against our sense of reasoning being allowed to be based on the testimonies of our five human senses rather than on the promises of Almighty God. Human reasoning neutralizes spiritual faith and causes the truth to become but a dead letter. In Isa. 1:18 we read, "Come let us reason together, saith the Lord. Through your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool".
The last of the five senses or members of our mind is Memory. It has a wonderful ministry of retaining knowledge the intellect has gained. It's set25 times in scripture. If one will examine each of the sciptures concerning each of these faculties, you will gain a perfect knowledge and instruction as to their proper exercises to our mind the wonderful promises of God, and also reminds us of God's faithfulness and the surety of His immutable Word. the Apostle Paul gives us special teachings on the subject of mental members. the builders of our character, in a number of scripture using the word "members" instead of the word "senses" or "faculties." Lets examine some fo these. In Romans 6:13 we read, "Neither yield yourselves unto God, as those alive from the dead; and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
Paul continued in Rom.6:19 "....for as you have yielded your members (faculties)servants unto righteousness and unto holiness." Then in Rom. 7:5 he continues, "For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sin, which by th eMosaic Law, did work in our members (senses) to bring forth fruit unto death". Then again in Rom. 7:23 Paul continues, "But I see another law in my members (mental faculties) bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members (senses)." In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he likens the church body and its members to that of the human body and its members. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he likens the church body and its members to that of the human body and its members. In 1 Cor.12:12-27 Paul mentions these "members" 14 times. This body of scripture is primarily concerned with the church body and its mental members. Again in Col.3:5 Paul said, "Mortify (bring forth a death state) therefore your members which are upon earthly things," then named six terrible sins that God's corrective wrath to purify our minds.
When we discover our five senses have brought sin into our mind, we should confess the sins to our Lord Jesus and in repentance and godly sorrow turn away and discipline our mind with washing it with the Word of God. Unjudged sins cause by soul harzards overlooked, and allowed to remain, are our adversaries of righteousness and God promises in Heb. 10:27 to destroy them of our minds and life through firey testing and trials. The apostle wrote again in Heb. 5:14, "but strong meat belongeth to them that are matured, even those by reason of us have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Lastly we read in James 5:1 the reason of the carnal Christian's division and warfare. "from whence come wars and fighting among you? Come they not from your lusts that war in your members?" How can we locate a rebellious sense, faculty or member of our mind or soul system? One or more that Satan has captured and turned against us? By our thoughts and the acts of our human will.
We should seek afresh each day, the righteousness of Christ, until using these our five soul senses. He is "Made unto us WIsdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption." 1 Cor1:30. Then will our five mental senses be rooted in His ministry of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. Gal.5:22. Then we have the spiritual bondaries of the seven hundred commands of the New Testament. The last sums up the others, in Jude vs.23, "Keep yourself in th elove of God." All of the bible heroes of faith, with disciplined minds and controlled faculties, all confessed truth under the circumstances. Paul confessed, "I can do do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phil. 4:13. The Prophet Isaiah in Isa.53:5 confessed, "The chastisement of our peace is on Him." The Apostle Matthew in Matt.8:17 when threaten with sickness confessed, "Himself took our infirmity and bare our sickness." The Psalmist David, who also knew this way of victory for trained intellect and disciplined senses, in Ps.23:3 gives us the remedy, for restoring and mirroring again the Christ Image in our minds, "He restoreth in soul."
Man-made delicately balanced and intricate computing machines are as nothing to the intricate and perfectly balanced mental machine of man. This marvelous soul-system or mind of man is set in millions of tiny brain cells of th head, closely timed and balanced with another intricate systems of nerves that move the muscles of our body. Our mind has three primary faculties, namely the intellect, the human will, and the heart of center of our being. What the human will deems important is stored in our storehouse or seedbed, the heart. "Out of the heart are the issues of life." Prov. 4:23. Our human will is the directive part of our mind. God strives with Satan each day through each of these conflicting natures, and often through the laws of suggestion to influence the acts of our human will. What our mind allows to enter our mental organs and remain there, is either of God or Satan and what feeds on enature starves the other and habits good or evil are formed.
Triune man lives on three planes of life, namely that of the spiritual, mental or physical. Each of these phases of our life have five roots each which are set in our triune life as outposts of defense against evil. Let us look at these five roots or faculties or senses. In our physical or natural life we'll have the senses of faculties of Sight, Hearing, Tasting, Smelling and Feeling. And in our Spiritual life we have the five senses of Faith, Hope, Charity, Fear or respect of God shown by true Worship and Revelation. Let's examine more closely the five soul senses or faculties since through them our body acts and our character is formed, often changing from time to time. At the moment of our salvation or new birth, God restores Christ to our soul consciousness and mirrors His Life nature fully in our minds and our delicate and in harmony with God again.
Often evil spirits oppress and possess the minds of weak willed people whose intellects have been given over to carnal worldy habits as the their, drunkard, gambler, etc. But our souls and soul-consciousness is eternal and must spend eternity somewhere. In hell the rich man of Lk.16:19-31 still retained all of these five senses and faculties. The first sine entered into Lucifer's mind in highest heaven, Isa.14:14 and the Church was conceived in the sufferings of Christ Soul in lowest hell. Ps.139:15-16. Small children's immature sould life is often blighted and diseased by the proud parents spoiling them through over indulgence or by careless undisciplined words and actions in the home. The television has filled our small children's mind with worldiness, and puts guns on the kids that ride the sidewalks on tricycles. Christian homes need to restor the old famly altar, and teach obedience to God's Word and practice self-denial. A deep consecration saves the soul from mental distempers of worry, fear, etc.
An illustration of a stronger will controlling a weaker or yielded human will, is seen in the case of hypnotism. This often happens withour our own mental faculties when we have carelessly loaned one or more of these five mental faculties to Satan in worldly pleasure, etc., find a warfare within our own mind members or faculties. This brings our minds into a state of indecision, or uncertainty that ends in confusion and frustration. Often we do not find the deep seated cause or know what is the matter. The Bible contrasts good and evil, in life experiences. In the 7th abd 8th chapters of Romans, the Apostle Paul contrasts the believer with warfare in his senses or member of his mind, and the Spirit-filled believer at rest. The worldly weak willed believer in the 7th chapter having lost the power of his will to resist the Satan controlled sense or faculty or member of his soul-life, is terribly frustrated and defeated. Lets examine more closely theses five senses, faculties, or members of our mind. They are Imagination, Affection, conscience, Reason and Memory.
What does the Bible say concerning each of the above faculties that minister life or death to you and others, and are the roots of your trouble? The word Imagination is in scripture 19 times, and has a minstiry of inspritation to your love, faith and obedience towards God. It helps you to imagine God answering your prayer and need. But Satan gains control and makes it evil in imaginations of fear, doubts, etc. In 2 Cor.10:5 we read, "Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and brining into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
The next of the five senses in that of Affection, through which Christ ministers His love. There are nine scriptures concerning it. When Satan-controlled it turns to a passion to defeat you. The Apostle Paul gives his advice in Col.3:2, "Set your afflictions on things above and not on things of the earth." Pure affection is seen in the unspoiled life of any small child.
The next faculty of our soul is consciousness is Conscience which ministry is to warn and cry against sin and convict our heart of evil that is allowed to enter. Its in the scripture 23 times. We read in Heb. 9:14, "...purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God".
The next of our five faculties of the mind is Reason. Its a ministry of selectin imporant things for our life and establishing our intellects with proven things. In the training of our intellects with the wisdom and knowledge of men which is essential we should guard against our sense of reasoning being allowed to be based on the testimonies of our five human senses rather than on the promises of Almighty God. Human reasoning neutralizes spiritual faith and causes the truth to become but a dead letter. In Isa. 1:18 we read, "Come let us reason together, saith the Lord. Through your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool".
The last of the five senses or members of our mind is Memory. It has a wonderful ministry of retaining knowledge the intellect has gained. It's set25 times in scripture. If one will examine each of the sciptures concerning each of these faculties, you will gain a perfect knowledge and instruction as to their proper exercises to our mind the wonderful promises of God, and also reminds us of God's faithfulness and the surety of His immutable Word. the Apostle Paul gives us special teachings on the subject of mental members. the builders of our character, in a number of scripture using the word "members" instead of the word "senses" or "faculties." Lets examine some fo these. In Romans 6:13 we read, "Neither yield yourselves unto God, as those alive from the dead; and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
Paul continued in Rom.6:19 "....for as you have yielded your members (faculties)servants unto righteousness and unto holiness." Then in Rom. 7:5 he continues, "For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sin, which by th eMosaic Law, did work in our members (senses) to bring forth fruit unto death". Then again in Rom. 7:23 Paul continues, "But I see another law in my members (mental faculties) bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members (senses)." In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he likens the church body and its members to that of the human body and its members. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he likens the church body and its members to that of the human body and its members. In 1 Cor.12:12-27 Paul mentions these "members" 14 times. This body of scripture is primarily concerned with the church body and its mental members. Again in Col.3:5 Paul said, "Mortify (bring forth a death state) therefore your members which are upon earthly things," then named six terrible sins that God's corrective wrath to purify our minds.
When we discover our five senses have brought sin into our mind, we should confess the sins to our Lord Jesus and in repentance and godly sorrow turn away and discipline our mind with washing it with the Word of God. Unjudged sins cause by soul harzards overlooked, and allowed to remain, are our adversaries of righteousness and God promises in Heb. 10:27 to destroy them of our minds and life through firey testing and trials. The apostle wrote again in Heb. 5:14, "but strong meat belongeth to them that are matured, even those by reason of us have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Lastly we read in James 5:1 the reason of the carnal Christian's division and warfare. "from whence come wars and fighting among you? Come they not from your lusts that war in your members?" How can we locate a rebellious sense, faculty or member of our mind or soul system? One or more that Satan has captured and turned against us? By our thoughts and the acts of our human will.
We should seek afresh each day, the righteousness of Christ, until using these our five soul senses. He is "Made unto us WIsdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption." 1 Cor1:30. Then will our five mental senses be rooted in His ministry of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. Gal.5:22. Then we have the spiritual bondaries of the seven hundred commands of the New Testament. The last sums up the others, in Jude vs.23, "Keep yourself in th elove of God." All of the bible heroes of faith, with disciplined minds and controlled faculties, all confessed truth under the circumstances. Paul confessed, "I can do do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phil. 4:13. The Prophet Isaiah in Isa.53:5 confessed, "The chastisement of our peace is on Him." The Apostle Matthew in Matt.8:17 when threaten with sickness confessed, "Himself took our infirmity and bare our sickness." The Psalmist David, who also knew this way of victory for trained intellect and disciplined senses, in Ps.23:3 gives us the remedy, for restoring and mirroring again the Christ Image in our minds, "He restoreth in soul."
Inner Court twice each day, as Christ must enter our soul life daily to minister, but only the High Priest alone could enter into the Holiest of Holies once each year on the Day Of Atonement. And then he must enter with the blood of the sin offering. This speaks of our spirit where Christ our High Priest entered but once, to sanctify us forever,
The chart above of the tabernacle may seem very simple, but it rebounds with boundless riches because, in one sense of the Word, Christ’s photo is in it. Not only His but also the believer’s who is to be like Him may also see his picture therein. We could say, yes, the Church too, but since presently we are concerned with the individual we will limit these lines to the believer’s picture.
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