The Big Picture: body

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The Soul: Bridging the Physical Outward Man and the Spiritual Inner Man

To understand how we are designed to function, we must understand the position of the soul. The scriptures show us that man is a triune being. In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes:

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Thess.5:23)

These three parts—spirit, soul, and body—make up your complete and entire being. Yet, they are so distinct that they can be divided into separate parts, which is exactly what happens at physical death.

The Body is of the earth and returns to the dust. As it is written: "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was" (Eccl.12:7).
The Spirit is from God and returns to Him. The scripture continues: "...and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Eccl.12:7).
The Soul is the personal, individual "you" that must go to its designated spiritual destination. In the resurrection of Christ, Peter quotes David, saying: "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Acts.2:27).

The Soul’s Strategic Position

Your soul does not exist in isolation; it sits directly between the physical and the spiritual realms. It acts as the bridge.

   [ SPIRIT ]  <--->  [ SOUL ]  <--->  [ BODY ]
   (Inner Man)       (The Bridge)    (Outward Man)

The soul’s connection to the physical body is what the Bible refers to as the outward man. Through the body, your soul can discern, experience, and interact with the physical world.

Conversely, the soul’s connection to the spirit is what the Bible refers to as the inner man. Through the spirit, your soul has the capacity to discern, commune with, and receive from the spiritual realm.

Because the soul is positioned between these two distinct worlds, it must choose which direction it will look and where it will draw its life. The core struggle of the Christian walk is determined by which way the soul is facing.

1. The Outward-In Walk (The Carnal Mind)

When the soul draws its primary direction, identity, and comfort from the physical body, it operates from the outside inward. This is the carnal mind. The carnal mind judges its spiritual standing and relationship with God based entirely on outward, physical circumstances.

If a carnal person gets sick or faces financial trouble, they assume God is angry with them. If they achieve physical prosperity, they assume they are spiritual. This is what Paul warns against when he describes men of corrupt minds:

"...supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." (1Tim.6:5)

Because the outward man is constantly bombarded by the physical senses, worldly media, and social noise, an outward-in life is easily deceived, unstable, and led into sin.

2. The Inward-Out Walk (The Spiritual Mind)

God created man to work from the inside outward. A spiritual mind does not look to physical circumstances or sensory experiences but operates from the inner man outward. This walk is anchored entirely in the spirit and the word of God. The scriptures show that true spiritual strength and life are ministered strictly through the hearing of faith, as Paul asks:

"He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Gal.3:5)

This inward-out operation is fueled by the words of Christ, which are the very source of life. Jesus declared:

"...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John.6:63)

When we believe the bible, these words perform an effectual work in the inner man, producing genuine godliness that we do not have to perform or fake through the flesh. As Paul notes:

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1Thess.2:13)

By letting the word of God renew our knowledge, our inner man is established. This enables the soul to discern spiritual realities rather than physical ones. The believer is then strengthened in the inner man to walk after the spirit, as it is written:

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;" (Eph.3:16)

Conclusion

Your soul is the deciding factor. It is the bridge between the earthen vessel of your body and the eternal spirit of God. If you try to live from the outside in, you will remain trapped in carnal defeat. But when you quiet the noise of the world, sit down with the word of God, and allow His written words to get inside your heart, God's written word will perform its designed, effectual work to strengthen your inner man. Stay in the word; it is the hand to your glove, the only true source of spiritual knowledge, and the power that renews your soul into the image of Christ.

Understanding the Heart, Soul, and Spiritual Transformation

To understand the difference between the heart and the soul, one cannot look at them in isolation. Instead, we must view them through the lens of the complete biblical structure of a human being: spirit, soul, and body. By understanding how these parts function together, we can see the distinction between the "outer man" and the "inner man" and how the Word of God transforms a believer.

The Tri-Part Structure

According to Genesis 2:7, God formed man of the dust of the ground (the body) and breathed into him the breath of life (the Spirit). When this divine Spirit animated the lifeless flesh, the person became a "living soul".

The Body: This is the physical, inanimate container or "outer shell".
The Spirit: This is the breath of life from God, the animating force that makes the body a living entity.
The Soul: The soul is the resulting entity produced when the body is animated by the Spirit. It serves as a container—initially a "blank slate"—that is filled over time with character, personality, and knowledge.

The Soul, The Heart, and The Two Minds

The Quest for True Godliness

Paul writes,

“For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

What is godliness? It is not mere morality, nor the polish of discipline. Godliness is the life of God reflected in man—the reverent devotion that springs from faith in Christ, shaping both heart and conduct. It is the soul’s alignment with God, not through ritual or regimen, but through relationship with His Son.

Consider the athlete. His body is trained to perfection, muscles honed through sweat and sacrifice. Yet his strength cannot lift him into heaven. His discipline may win medals, but it cannot win eternal life.
Consider the monk. His mind is trained to silence, thoughts subdued by meditation. Yet his stillness cannot reconcile him to God. His discipline may bring peace of mind, but it cannot bring peace with God.
Consider the scholar. His intellect is vast, his knowledge deep. Yet wisdom of the world cannot unlock the mystery of salvation. His books may fill libraries, but they cannot fill the soul with godliness.

All these pursuits—bodily, mental, intellectual—profit for a season. They shape life on earth, but they cannot secure life eternal. Godliness, however, is profitable in every way, because it is rooted in Christ.

Godliness is not achieved by human effort. It is received by faith. It is Christ living in us, His Spirit shaping our desires, His Word guiding our steps. It is the believer’s daily walk, not in the strength of flesh or brilliance of mind, but in the power of grace.

Paul’s contrast is vivid:

Exercise of the body strengthens for a moment.
Discipline of the mind calms for a season.
Godliness in Christ secures both now and eternity.

True godliness is not found in the gym, the monastery, or the library. It is found at the cross. It is found in surrender, in faith, in Christ alone.

So the quest is clear: seek not merely the strength of the body or the mastery of the mind, but the life of God in the soul. Desire godliness, and desire it in the right place—in Christ, who is our righteousness, our peace, and our eternal life.

The measure of faith and gifts in the Body of Christ

A good friend of mine asked me the following excellent questions. These questions generate some great material which is too valuable to keep under wraps.

Questions:

Romans 12:3 speaks about God giving us a “measure of faith.” Can you expound on what this means? Is it addressed only to believers? How does this measure work—do some receive a greater ability than others? In verse 4, Paul explains that the Body of Christ has different gifts according to the grace given to us. Does this mean some receive more than others, and how do we know what our gifts are? The passage also mentions prophecy as a gift, exercised according to the proportion of faith given. How should we understand that today?

Answers:

The Measure of Faith Defined

The “measure of faith” in Romans 12:3 is not a feeling and it is not saving faith, for all believers receive the same salvation by believing the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Rather, it is the portion of faith God assigns to each believer for their role in the Body of Christ. Think of it as God’s provision for service: just as the body has many members with different functions (Romans 12:4-5), each believer has a measure of faith that matches their function.

This measure is not primarily a feeling, since feelings can mislead, and it is not simply natural ability, though God may use your abilities. It is a God-given capacity to trust Him in service, exercised in proportion to the gift He has given you. You recognise it as you walk in obedience, renew your mind (Romans 12:2), and serve. Over time, you see where God’s grace works through you effectively. It channels your service into the area God has equipped you for—whether teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, or showing mercy (Romans 12:6-8). You identify it by testing your service against Scripture—does it edify the Body and align with sound doctrine?—and by observing fruit, seeing where your service consistently builds up others in Christ.

Why Compare to the Talents?

Living From the Inside Out: A Spiritual Blueprint

Through faith, we grow and mature into love for all the saints. Once we reach this point, we are ready to receive the spirit of wisdom, revelation, and the knowledge of Him. However, this wisdom does not come passively—it is not something we merely receive. Paul wrote these words, and his prayer, having fulfilled his part in revealing them, is that through this revelation, believers may receive the spirit and have the eyes of their understanding enlightened.

Now, let’s consider this understanding:

Man is a three-part being—body, soul, and spirit. But at his core, man is a living soul. As Scripture says:

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

The soul possesses both a body and a spirit. Through the body, the soul comprehends the physical world—it sees, tastes, hears, and experiences the material realm. But just as the body allows the soul to perceive the physical, the soul can only understand spiritual truths through the spirit part of his three-part being.

This is how a person receives understanding—through the spirit, not the body. Many people attempt to operate in the wrong order, seeking spiritual truths in a physical manner. But this is backward; we must operate as God designed us—spirit first.

The one true church of God

Adapted from a teaching by Paul Lucas

The true Church of God is defined in Scripture as a congregation of believers set apart for God's purposes through their faith in Jesus Christ. This Church transcends denominational labels or physical gatherings and is grounded in God's eternal plan, as stated in 2 Timothy 1:9: "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."

God's calling is described as holy and purposeful, and those who are part of His Church are sanctified in Jesus Christ. As mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:2, the Church consists of "them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." This sanctification implies that believers are set apart to walk in God's will, fulfilling the divine purpose established before the foundation of the world.

While there are many churches and religious groups globally, not all are part of the true Church of God as described in Scripture. Being part of the true Church requires being in Christ and living according to God's holy calling. Simply joining a physical church does not guarantee membership in this spiritual body. As Romans 8:1 reminds us, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Believers who are in Christ are called to understand and fulfill this divine purpose. Ephesians 4:1 exhorts us, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." It is the duty of every believer to align their lives with God's plan, striving to live in obedience to His calling while growing in their faith and understanding. Only through such a commitment can one truly walk in accordance with the holy calling God has extended to His Church.

Start this lesson series here:
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 14 - Psychology 101)

THAT YE SHOULD BE MARRIED TO ANOTHER

Rom.7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (2) For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. (3) So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

This passage from Romans 7:1-3 uses an analogy of marriage to illustrate the relationship between the law and believers. The key message is that the law has authority over a person only as long as they are alive. Just as a woman is bound by the law to her husband while he lives, but is free to remarry if he dies, similarly, believers are bound to the law until a death takes place. The important thing to learn from this analogy is who are the role players?

Though Paul provides context to the marriage analogy from verse 4, and before we look into it, let us consider this analogy and work out for ourselves who the role players are.

The Inner and Outer Man

Paul teaches us in 1Thess.5:23 that every person has a spirit, a soul, and a body. The body is the lifeless outer shell that connects us to the earth and allows us to interact in this realm. The spirit is the breath of God within us that gives life and makes us a living soul, 1Cor.15:45. This means that the soul, according to Gen.2:7 and Mrk.8:36, is truly what you are. The body goes back to the dust, the spirit goes back to God who gave it, and the only part that remains of man is his soul.

Present your Bodies (Part 2)

Until you get that glorified body, God wants your current one! What?? Why? What would God want with this weak, corrupt, vile, sinful body? The aim of this little study is to find this out.

Rom.12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

If you have read, understood, and received what Paul has taught you in the first 11 chapters of Romans, concerning God’s righteous wrath and what He did through Jesus Christ to justify you and quicken your spirit, you will know that the only proper, and personal response you can make to His grace and love, is to present your body as a living sacrifice to God. But what good is our flesh body to God? Paul, in Romans 3 to 8, has informed you that your flesh is corrupt and sinful and that God’s work to save you was not achieved in your flesh, but judicially in His Son. So, why is Paul appealing to you to give God your futile body? Well God has a use for it, and it is for the glory of His Son.

Present your Bodies (Part 1)

The Start: Justification

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

When we believe the gospel of God’s Son, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ. There is NOTHING that can change or threaten that peace we have! It is not dependent on us! That peace is through Christ. Justification is a legal word dealing with one’s judicial standing before God, the Judge. Biblical justification equates to the ungodly sinner being declared righteous, blameless, and innocent, being set free of all charges before God’s throne. Justification = just as if I never sinned.

The End: Adoption and glorification

Rom 8:23-24 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

How does Romans 5 to 8 work in a Human Being? (Part 1 - One Human, Three Parts)

The following post is a personal interpretation of my understanding of the tri-part structure of a human being, and how the living Word (or Spirit) of God works within these parts. The focus of the extended study is not so much on the different parts of the human, but rather to investigate how the Word of God works within the human, and which part of them it affects most. There is an interesting twist in the study, as Paul also introduces two lives, or two 'laws' within the human, that is of greater significance, and to which this study will invest more time to understand.

The Tri-part Structure of a Human Being

The Bible tells us that every human is a tri-part being. Spirit, soul, and body. Let's see what the Word has to say about this.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 4 - The Two Natures of a Believer in Christ

As we progress in this journey, we need to keep two things in mind,

First, to provide us hope, strength, and passion to continue, we must know what our destination is. We are making our way to that destination of being adopted sons of God and being glorified beyond measure in our Head, Jesus Christ. The vehicle to get us there is the Word of God, and our fuel is studying the Word so that it becomes part of us, quickening us in spirit and energizing us to growth.

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