Spirit, Soul, & Body

HOW TO DISCERN THE DIFFERENCE

 

The difference in “who” is talking to you and how all of this operates. 

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We are a Spirit, we have a Soul, and we live in a Body.

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You will at different times hear from your Spirit, Soul, and Body, and from the devil. 

Learn how to hear each. 

Learn how to take authority over your soul. 

Learn how to be disciplined. 

In this, you will learn how to walk with the Lord and

  re-train yourself.

 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be mature thoroughly furnished until all good works.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - 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.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

   

CHAPTER ONE: LET’S BEGIN WITH THE BASICS    

CHAPTER TW0: LEARNING TO WALK WITH GOD    

CHAPTER THREE: FURTHER DETAILS ON THE BODY    

CHAPTER FOUR: FURTHER DETAILS ON THE SOUL    

CHAPTER FIVE: MORE ON THE SPIRIT    

CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION    

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES  

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE - LET’S BEGIN WITH THE BASICS

SPIRIT, SOUL, & BODY - we will do this in reverse: Body, Soul, & Spirit because that is how we think of it in the world:

 

The Body: It is our “outer layer” and speaks according to the 5 senses - what you can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch.  It is the part of us that touches the world around us. Helps us interact with the physical world. To know if it’s hot or cold, to know when to cross the street, or when we are thirsty or hungry, and so on. Some people are controlled by their Body. How their Body feels with its sensations at any moment takes precedence over Spirit or Soul. 

 

The Soul: It speaks according to our intellect (mind), free will, emotions (feelings), and personality. This is the next layer inward within our bodies - in our heads and emotions (or heart). In the Bible when it says “heart” most often it is referring to our Soul. Like Psalm 64:6 NIV - “They plot injustices and say, ‘We have devised a perfect plan!’ Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.” You can tell by the context of that verse which one, Soul or Spirit, is being referred to, it is the Soul. We can see this is why our heart needs to be circumcised - Romans 2:29. 

 

The Spirit and Soul are connected according to Hebrews 4:12 -  For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing between soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intent of the heart. 

 

Soul and Spirit. What can be divided means it is connected. But until we receive Jesus into our heart we are unable to understand what is happening with us. We can’t distinguish the difference. Our heart can only be circumcised by Him, cutting away the “old man” from our Spirit. The Soul has to be renewed - it is the “renewing of our mind” Romans 12:2. 

 

And in our daily life interacting with this world the Soul typically has priority over our Spirit man with the Body as the second in command. Both the Soul and Body have not been renewed yet until we choose to do it. This is why they cause such trouble when we haven’t learned how to take authority over those parts of us in the Name of Jesus. 

 

The Spirit: this is the part that has been renewed by accepting Jesus into our hearts and is in contact with God. He speaks to us through our Spirit and only the word of God and things pertaining to the word of God come through our Spirit. Jesus is the word made flesh. God and His word are the same thing and this is how He speaks, things that go in line with His word.

 

Our Spirit is what is called the “inward man” - or the “inner part of the belly” - Proverbs 20:2; Ephesians 3:16; & Psalm 51:6. It’s deep down within us. If you place your hand on your upper belly, the soft area at the opening of the rib cage, deep within that region. This is where you get those “gut feelings.” That’s where your Spirit is. 

 

When you “get” an unction, a revelation, from the Holy Spirit through your Spirit there is a quality to it…it’s “good.” You think: “Man, that’s good!” There is a sweetness to it. And there’s peace to it. Your belly is just so, so, good and likes what it “heard.” Totally satisfied, like you ate a really good meal.

 

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Be aware of “naming” things of your Soul with the same terms used for the Spirit. You are deceiving yourself. You are buying into a con game either from your own thinking or from the devil to hoodwink you into thinking or “reasoning” is coming from your Spirit, when it is not. A person will always be deceived when this happens - James 1:22. You can’t be hood winked for long. You can always tell by the fruit of your life, what do you have. If you don’t like what you see, talk with the Lord. Ask for His correction. Repent when He shows you. And make the changes He tells you to make. 

 

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We can see that our bodies will be rebellious and need to keep them into subjection to the Word. They are not re-created yet. So they will be disobedient. You can count on it. This is the reason why it is important to fast. To keep our bodies under and not rebellious. To take charge, on purpose, what you allow your body to eat and when. This is telling your body “who” is in control. Because the enemy is in this realm. This helps our spiritual ears to hear the Lord more clearly when our bodies aren’t fussing. Now you don’t need to do long fasts. They may be for one meal. Go as the Lord leads. And with that time that you would eat, instead pray and stay in the word. Always follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in ALL things. 

 

We discipline our Bodies by not allowing it to rule us. Instead we give God the priority and allow Him to rule us through our Spirit. We have to give one part priority. This is the way our system works. And until we learn how to do this from God’s word, we are either ruled by our Bodies or ruled by our Souls. We then follow whichever one we are giving credence to and speaking along those lines and doing actions along those lines we are bringing the things to pass by “speaking” and “doing” what is ruling us. You can always tell what is ruling you by listening to what comes out of your mouth. Then you will know what is in your heart and what is ruling you. But we can’t change this until we know what God says to do about it. 

 

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks - Matthew 12:34.

 

It is sobering to observe what comes out of our mouths. Whatever is in our heart. If it’s contrary to the word of God it is coming from our Soul or from the devil and we need to change it. Yes, the devil throws thoughts at our heads and if we take that thought and start speaking it, we will bring that word to pass. Because the things we speak are what we have. Genesis 1 - God spoke and it was so. We are made in His image. 

 

Instead let’s choose to have God rule from our Spirit. We are one Spirit with Him. 

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1 Corinthians 6:17 - Whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.

 

Hebrews 4:12 - For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing between soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intent of the heart. 

 

We see from what the Lord has said in these scriptures that we are ONE with HIM in our inner man, our Spirit! It may not “feel” like it but we are. We also see that If you can divide Spirit and Soul, then that means they are together. Which shows us we can’t tell “what” or should I say “who” is speaking unless we use the word. The Word is the only way to discern who is “talking” and what you are being motivated by: Spirit or Soul, or Body, or the devil. They each have a “voice” and a particular way of speaking to us. And we can discern what part is “talking” to us with thoughts when we dive into the word and believe what He says about us! When you ask the Holy Spirit for insight He will let you know whether that “thought” was from your intellect, emotions, five senses, the devil, or from Him.

 

As we do this the Holy Spirit “shows” us things…I call them “a-ha” moments. These are times when we get the “a-ha” about a particular situation we are wondering about. Our eyes “see” what is happening. That’s called: revelation knowledge (Ephesians 1:17-18), which we get from the Holy Spirit. He IS revelation knowledge. The more you “hang out” with Him the more revelation knowledge you get. Yes He is always with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

 

What I mean is that you “choose” to spend time with Him and listening for His leading. The more you do this, the more revelation you’ll have…if you are willing to receive it. We always have to be willing to receive. Sometimes that can be challenging. But bless God, we can do it because we “choose” to. 

 

As we spend time with Him we begin to notice when we are being “just us,” being weird, “fleshly” - in our carnality; or if we are “seeing” through the lens of the Holy Spirit. This only happens as we talk with the Lord about it and stay in the word about the situation and do what He reveals and tells us to do. 

 

A friend said to me once, “Discernment is not knowing right from wrong but knowing right from almost right.”  Huge insight to her statement! (That’s the Holy Spirit operating through someone else to give the word that is needed! I thank God for that.)

 

We need to press into the Holy Spirit to “see” what is right from almost right with everything and in this case from “what” or “who” is speaking to us: Spirit, Soul, Body, or the devil. Each speaks differently. You know if you have a friend who is from another country - they have a certain way of speaking, catch phrases, subject matter they like to discuss, metaphors, and so on. It’s the same here. Spirit, Soul, Body, and the devil, all speak differently and come at you from places: 

 

• Spirit - God deep inside your being speaking in line with the word of God; 

• Soul - occurs in your thinking or emotions, or personality; 

• Body - things of the 5 senses which are needed for this physical world, bear in mind your Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit so how we treat our Bodies is important; 

• devil - from outside of your body to your head as thoughts coming from the outside pretending at being “you” (most often) talking to yourself. Sometimes pretending to be God - Isaiah 14:13-14. Always saying bad things about you, to you, so that you think it is “yourself” - he has been running con jobs, always a liar and skilled liar of which he is the father of lies, hides the lies within truth, he even knows scripture and will quote it to you just like he did with Jesus in the temptation in the wilderness, always speaks about bad things you’ve done in the past of which God already forgave you of and has no memory of it - He has removed it as far as the east is from the west - Psalm 103:12, and the devil always comes from the five sense realm or emotions because the senses and emotions can “drive” someone. Whenever you are being “driven” - “pushed” to do something and you can’t control it the devil is always behind it.  

 

Until we learn how to operate with the Spirit, through our Soul, and to our Body it’s a free for all. One of them has priority and is in control. Because of this material world it will either be Body or Soul… and yes, someone can be controlled by the devil, especially unbelievers but that is enacted through the Body realm. The devil and his hordes are always looking for a body.

 

The Spirit is the enigmatic part of us that most born again brothers and sisters have no idea how to operate from; and people who are not saved have no idea at all. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 - 9 But as it is written:“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

 

Whatever He tells you to do, do. So if He says you need to eat vegetables for a few days, do it. Or if He tells you to get more rest, do it. We do this no matter what our Bodies want. We give God the priority and do what He says. He always has a good reason, and the reason is for our benefit.

 

But it is up to us to discipline our flesh when it rears its ugly head and wants to do things contrary to the spirit. 

 

How do we do that?

 

It is the same whether it is for our flesh/Body or our Soul:

 

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 - 

    For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

    4. For the weapons or our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 

    5. Casting down vain imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 

    6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

 

This is a great scripture for step by step instruction of “how” to deal with the unruly flesh/Body, as well as our Soul, or the devil, when they is causing havoc.

 

What is a “strong hold”? It is a belief system that we have. We identify with it. We think it’s “the truth.” But it is simply a thought we were taught somewhere along our life and have treated it “as truth.” We do this, it defines us. BUT we can tear it down through casting down the thought in Jesus Name. (We will get into this more in later paragraphs.) 

 

Verse 5 can be phrased another way for seeing the order of what we are to do: “By casting down vain imaginations, and every high (or lofty) thought that exalts itself over the word, or speaks contrary to the word…and being ready to revenge all disobedience from our Bodies, Souls, or the devil.” 

 

Many times the common Christian phrase that is used is: “rebuke that thought” for a thought that comes up contrary to God and His word. But this is only half of what needs to be done. The next part is to replace that thought with the appropriate scripture that contradicts that thought. Or in common writing terms when you are using a word processor, you use the key for “find and replace.” That’s what we want to do with the word. Find the appropriate scripture on a situation and replace your previous “ingrained” thought(s) - or “strong hold” - cancel them out in Jesus Name and replace it with what the word says. 

 

For example: a thought comes to your mind that you have no will power to eat healthy. You may even make a statement to someone along those lines. As soon as you realize it (even if it’s hours later), speak out loud to yourself. Say: “I refuse that thought in Jesus Name, and cast it out! I HAVE the will power because I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. Old things are gone away and ALL has become new!! (2 Corinthians 5:17.) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13.)”

 

This is what you do with thoughts and words that come up from your heart or into your mind and out of your mouth, to take authority over them. When you first do this you will feel like you’re are lying to yourself because you always thought that negative thought, and it was a “strong hold.” But now you are replacing the “you” with God. It’s His thought of who you are and you are making it yours. On purpose. He’s right. Always. 

 

This first day you will have to do it a lot. It may seem like every 10 seconds you’re having to cast down thoughts and replace them with the word. But as you stay persistent it will get easier. Even the next day will be easier. By the third day it will be even easier. By the fourth day you’re doing a victory dance because it’s over. There will be times here and there of the flesh rearing its ugly head or the devil tryin to jump in, but it’s laughable when it happens and you treat it the same as you did at the start: cast down that thought in the Name of Jesus and replace it with the Word. 

 

We can also ask the Holy Spirit for His help, always. He is our Helper. Psalm 141:3 - Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.

 

There’s another in Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

 

As you do this He will highlight to you when something has come out of our mouth, or thought, or action that is contrary to the Word of God. Then take action on what He is telling you to do. And as you start this process the first thing to watch: what comes out of our mouths.

 

There’s one more part to all of this, and that is understanding the “gateways” to our heart. These are the openings to our heart and what goes into them is what gets planted in our heart. We are told to “guard our heart” which means to guard the entrances to the heart. The gateways or entrances are: eye gate; ear gate; mouth gate. 

 

What goes into our eyes and our ears can get into our heart. Mouth is a two way gate. We speak out of the abundance in our heart, that’s how we know what is in it; and we can speak the word out loud to change what is planted in our heart. This is our Body and Soul working together. That is how we are made. And the Lord gave us scripture for this:

 

Take a look at Proverbs 4:20-27 - Berean Study Bible:

20 My son, pay attention to my words;

incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Do not lose sight of them;

keep them within your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them,

and health to the whole body.

23 Guard your heart with all diligence,

for from it flow springs of life.

24 Put away deception from your mouth;

keep your lips from perverse speech.

25 Let your eyes look forward;

fix your gaze straight ahead.

26 Make a level path for your feet,

and all your ways will be sure.

27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;

turn your feet away from evil.

 

 

In verse 20-21 we see that the word(s) that we hear causes “images” to come up. We see what was said. This happens no mater what is spoken. This is why we have to be careful what we “hear”. It causes images in our mind. If we keep thinking on it, it will come out of our mouth. If we are “inclining our ear” to the word of God we will be storing it in our heart and have life and health. Out of our heart springs life. But if we are storing things contrary to the word of God, then we are springing up death from our heart and those words we speak will be “death” types of words. Like when someone constantly has negative things to say. They are hard to be around because they are so negative. That is a heart issue, a heart filled with sickness, death, disease, destruction. And we know who is the instigator of that - John 10:10 the devil has come to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came to give life and that more abundantly. 

 

The remainder of the verses are about staying focused on God’s word and doing it. The steps are simple. The “doing” of it is initially a challenge due to our “feelings” but the Lord also changes our “feelings” when we do this and He is with you every step of the way and will help you.

 

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I’m going to repeat myself, I am choosing to do that in this article because this is important: Watching our words is the first thing to notice and when something comes out, we say something that is contrary to the word, immediately repent of it. Not just ask forgiveness. “Repent” - which means to change our way of thinking about that situation. Then cancel those words out in Jesus Name, because they create. AND then replace them with what the word says about that situation. 

 

STOP yourself when you realize you said something contrary to the word - even if its hours later. Then say: “Sweet Heavenly Father, forgive me for saying that. I change my thinking with what Your word says about me. I forbid my body to have control over me in Jesus Name! I keep my focus on You in my Spirit through the Holy Spirit in charge of my physical Body and Soul, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It’s not my strength, it’s Yours! And I thank You for giving it to me.” (Philippians 4:13.)

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CHAPTER TW0 - LEARNING TO WALK WITH GOD

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Now that you know the basics you can begin or renew your relationship with God. 

 

And we do all of what was mentioned on the previous pages because we love the Lord and want to clearly hear Him and be directed by Him. It’s about our intimate relationship with Him. He is closer than a brother. He is always on our side and wants to help us.

 

Spending time with the Lord is the most important thing. Any relationship needs time with that person. Our relationship with the Lord is no different. The more you read His word the more you learn how He talks. Where most people miss His voice is when they think they hear themselves rather than Him. For example: At work, discipline yourself to ask for His help. Ask: “Okay, Lord, how do I do this?”  An idea or hunch will come from deep within your being to your head as a thought. You check that “thought” this way: a.) Do you have “peace’ about it? b.) Do you have joy about it? If you have peace and joy, it’s Him. Especially joy. (Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Psalm 16:11.) Love, joy, peace are all results of hearing from Him, they are Him and He exudes them. When He speaks to you they are always present. Even when He is correcting us! There is peace and love. While it’s sobering there is liberty - freedom in taking His correction, never bondage. If there is “confusion” - that is not God. He is not the author of confusion but of peace - 1 Corinthians 14:33.

 

As an example, you know that friend or associate you have that is so great to be around. You feel great about yourself when you’re with them. You laugh. Have a good time. Enjoy each others’ company. This is what it’s like with the Lord! Even more so because He is the creator of all that exists - and you are a friend of God and His love for you is everlasting. 

 

This is what we all aspire to, a high quality of life with an intimate relationship with the Lord.

 

We will unpack this further in the nitty-gritty of things in the following pages.

 

 

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CHAPTER THREE - FURTHER DETAILS ON THE BODY

 

Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 

In this Ephesians scripture we can see the relationship between the devil and the flesh. They are symbiotic. This world is where he roams and attacks come in the material world and will affect our bodies. All ways, and always. Attacks can also come to our minds as “Thoughts.” They come from the outside into our heads. Usually that’s his mess. Sometimes thoughts from other people come. Thoughts come from the outside from whatever we are giving our attention to, like books, movies, music, and conversation. But this is where we need to control what comes into our “gateways.” We have to guard our heart.

 

And in the flesh realm is where we see the devil roams in scripture. Look at Job 1:6-7 and Job 2:1-2. He is roaming the earth. And we see in 1 Peter 5:8-10 he is roaming the earth to seek someone to devour. And devouring was on his mind with Job. God wouldn’t allow him to devour Job but He allowed the devil to do it to Job’s family. I have heard people ask why did God allow that. When you read the first couple of chapters you see that his kids were in sinful behavior, his wife was in sinful behavior (complaining about God, like Israel did in the desert), and we see Job was in fear because of the sacrifices he offered continually for his kids because of their sin. A parent or whomever is led to intercede for someone in sinful behavior is only allowed for so long. God expects the people (person) to make it right. God had to allow it by His very own truth, law. Job was supposedly the first book written, before the law but God’s law is forever. God is forever. His truth is forever. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And being disobedient to Him knowingly or unknowingly, although they had no understanding, allowed the devil to pounce. The only way the devil can do that is if someone allows him by their thoughts, words, and actions. 

 

We have Authority over him as Jesus told us in Luke 10:17-19. We are to use that Authority that Jesus gave us in His word as He said and do honor to His blood that was spilt for us. He upholds all things by the Word of His power! (Hebrews 1:3.) And when someone is in sin there is always a result for the sin. Repentance sometimes  voids the result or outcome, sometimes it does not. There are times when people in the Bible had to go through the result of their sin even though they got their hearts right with God. I believe Adam and Eve were the first; Abraham - yes, he brought Lot with him who was family and Abraham was called God’s friend and Jesus was able to come to the earth because of Abraham’s faith for God to raise his son from the dead. Abraham’s faith was more important than the sin of taking his nephew Lot with him on his journey. But who knows how that would have happened if Abraham didn’t take Lot. 

 

James 4:7 - Submit yourself to God…..resist the devil and he will flee.

Consciously submit and yield ourselves to God!! Do this first. Then as we resist the devil by casting down his thoughts and accusations he will flee, but we have to resist. Resist the thoughts he throws into our heads and the drives of our Bodies.

 

Take Authority over our flesh through Jesus and His Word. It keeps our Body under. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27 - “but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

 

Romans 13:14 - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires o the flesh.

 

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 I.  Matthew 26:41-  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

 

We are to keep “watch” and pray. “Pray” in straightforward terms means: in conversation with the Lord. We can do this all throughout the day. This is what Paul means by “pray without ceasing” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17. As we keep our hearts in tune with the Holy Spirit, He warns us of what is coming. He then leads us to pray against it to stop it or decrease the severity of it (John 14:26 and Romans 8:26-27).

 

The next part is key: our Spirits are willing. This born again part of us is in union with Christ, as 1 Corinthians 6:17 says, and they are willing. We are one Spirit with Him. But our flesh, which is in two parts: physical body and the flesh nature (or sin nature, or sometimes called “human nature”) is what needs to be crucified:

 

Galatians 5:16-17, 24 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

In verse 24 for us to “belong to Christ Jesus” is a choice…after we are born again. If we take this scripture and compare it to Romans 7:14, 25 and Chapter 8 and Galatians 5 we see that there is a “struggle” between our flesh and Spirit. And we all know brothers and sisters who “got their life insurance.” Meaning they received Jesus into their heart but they are not submitted to Him. Yielded. We have to yield to Him to “belong” to Him. They are saved. They will go to heaven. But they won’t receive a crown. There are 5 crowns that believers can achieve. Not all who run the race will receive the reward - meaning all who get saved won’t do what it takes to receive a crown. It’s a reward. I know believers who do not submit and do not yield to the Lord. Walking in the Spirit is a constant choice.

 

We must walk in the Spirit in order to have crucified the flesh - Romans 8. It’s an “if”/“then” statement. Even if we walk according to the flesh our inner man, the Holy Spirit though our Spirit will be grieved because we are not doing what He says. He will give that inward feeling of “discomfort” but if we continue to disobey He will stop warning us and let the result of the sin come upon us. And there are many brothers and sisters who do not walk in the Spirit and their flesh isn’t crucified, and going through turmoil. How do you know? Their fruit. You can always tell by what inhabits and surrounds a person’s life. BUT all we have to do is repent. Sometimes we still have to go through the result of that sin, like David with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12) but the sin is forgiven. Repenting doesn’t always get rid of the result but it does make your hearing from the Lord, intimacy with Him, get back on track. 

 

Ephesians 2:3 - All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

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Romans 6:6,16- For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin….Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

 

We are always obeying somebody. Either the flesh and sin, or God. 

 

We have a choice. Choose you this day life or death, blessing or cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live: That you may love the Lord your God and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cleave unto Him: for He is your life and the length of your days… - Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

 

The Holy Spirit in our inner man has to have priority over our flesh. The two - flesh and spirit are against one another: Galatians 5:17 - For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do what you want. Romans 7:14, 25 (part, in my words) - Thank God because He delivers me through Jesus Christ my Lord! I myself in my mind serve God, but in my sinful nature am a slave to the law of sin.  

 

What that means as born again believers is we are constantly presented with a choice. Choosing to abide by the sinful nature or choosing to abide by God’s word. He gives us the choice. He never forces it upon us. 

 

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II.  The word “death” in Strong’s means: Greek- #2288 separation from the life of God. 

 

Before we were born again we were in “death”- in sin.  We were separated from God. Genesis 2:17 -“But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 

 

When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit they died immediately in the Spirit-Soul-Body. They were separated from God in all three areas. Notice God didn’t know where they were…He asked, “Where are you?” They had been separated. It was hundreds of years until their bodies learned to die. Yes, their bodies had to learn to die. They were not created to do so. 

 

The natural man or flesh, or one who is separated from God cannot spiritually discern because they are spiritually dead - the Spirit is separate from God, the Soul is separate from God, and the Body is separate from God. Our outer man is perishing but the inward one is renewed day by day - 2 Corinthians 4:16. (This is a great confession to do each morning!) This is why 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 is so important. Our bodies need to be recreated in their original, un-fallen state. Immortal. We won’t have blood running through our veins, instead it will be the glory of God. Just imagine what that will be like!! (Luke 24:39; Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 1:21)

 

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and receive His sacrifice for us, that brings us into union with Him.  No longer separate in our Spirit from the Spirit of God. But our Soul and Body are not changed. Originally we were intended to be entirely a part of God - Spirit-Soul-Body. Like Adam when he was first created before the fall.  

 

But now that we have received Jesus our Spirit is alive unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 18 Amplified- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (new species of being), old things are passed away and all things are become new. And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 

 

The first Adam and the last Adam - Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:45 “It is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being,’ the last Adam, a life-giving Spirit.” This is why when we receive Jesus into our hearts we have life the moment we say “yes” to Him. You know something happened. You now have life in your Spirit. Adam at first was entirely one with the Father - Spirit-Soul-Body. Imagine what that must have been like?? We will soon get to experience that for eternity!! When the fall happened he was entirely separated Spirit-Soul-Body. Imagine what that must have been like for Adam and Eve to experience both. Jesus too, when He was on the cross and said, “Father, why have you forsaken Me?” Jesus had always been one with the Father and then at the cross He was entirely separated from the Father, and the Father had to turn His back on His Son because He was laden with all of our sins. (Habakuk 1:13; Exodus 33:18-23.) That was devastating to Jesus to have His loving Father have to turn His back to Him. Scripture says Jesus gave His Spirit up to death. It was not taken. I believe He died of a broken heart and gave up His Spirit. 

 

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We are to take authority over our Bodies: 1 Corinthians 9:27- But I keep under my body (make it my slave) and bring it under subjection….  (Look at TPT) and our Souls (thoughts, emotions, personality:

 

1 Corinthians 10:10-13 TPT - And we must not embrace their ways by complaining-grumbling with discontent, as many of them did, and were killed by the destroyer! All the tests they endured on their way through the wilderness are a symbolic picture, an example that provides us with a warning so that we can learn through what they experienced. For we live in a time when the purpose of all the ages past is now completing its goal within us. So beware if you think it could never happen to you, lest your pride becomes your downfall.

 

We all experience times of testing which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust Him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape, that will bring you out of it victoriously. 

 

Praise God, He is with us through all tests and trials and provides a way out. These tests and trials come in this material world, like the parable of the rain that beats upon the house. Much of the time tests and trails come through our own bodies. Sometimes through the soul - thinking and emotions. And we are warned not to grumble and complain spoken words against God. They create. And it killed them. A very sobering warning. 

 

One thing of note: when you are in the midst of a test/trial, notice that is when you do not hear the voice of God. Like when you took examinations in school, the teacher was there in class. He or she was at their desk. Never said a word. They waited until the test was finished. This is important to know. You will still have unction/knowing from the Holy Spirit. Stay highly tuned to His direction during the test. Whether you obey or not will either decrease the time of the test, or increase the length of time of the test.

 

And important to realize there is difference between a test/trial and a temptation. The Lord does test - Abraham with Lot for example versus Jesus in the wilderness tempted by the devil (Jesus had to deal with His soul while in prayer and fasting). Temptations do not come from God as James 1:12-16 - we encounter them because of our flesh and Soul: “Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive that crown of life, with the Lord has promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted  with evil, neither does He tempt anyone; but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished brings forth death.”  

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IT ALL COMES DOWN TO WHAT WE FOCUS ON:

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:14 - But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth, to believers.

 

Another scripture that is imperative to read is Romans 8. The entire chapter is about focusing on the Holy Spirit or focusing on the flesh, and the outcome of both. 

 

Here’s another aspect to be aware of with the body: CRAVINGS -  any “impulse” from the body that is hard to control or you have no control comes from a demon. Many times it is attached because of unforgiveness and/or fear. Sometimes it’s a family curse. If this is the case, as always, ask the Lord how to go about it. It requires repentance either for yourself, or in the case of a family curse repenting for your forefathers and foremothers of all agreements, oaths, contracts, and such like, known and unknown. Tell the Lord you receive forgiveness; and cancel out all family curses. Stamp the spiritual contract with the Blood of Jesus because you are redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13-14) and the Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2) is in you, on you, and has permeated your life. You are free, in Jesus Name. And cut all cords to the curse or whatever it is, in the Name of Jesus (Proverbs 5:21-23) and burn them up with the Fire of God (Hebrews 12:29 and 1 Kings 18: 38-39 [23-39].)

 

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REVIEW:

John 6:63 - It is the Spirit that quickens (or that gives life); the flesh profits nothing; the Words that I speak unto you are Spirit and they are life.

 

Very clear distinction between Spirit and Body in this scripture. We can see the outcome of being focused on one or the other. Our Spirit is new, born again, and one with Jesus. There is light and life with what He speaks. This is where God talks to us and what He says always agrees with His word. His word is life to us! The more you read it the more you have life and light on the situation. It makes you “feel” energized…I know, it’s a feeling and the word affects our feelings in the right way. Did you know God has feelings? But He’s not ruled by them.

 

Our Body, called “flesh” or “carnal” is 2 parts: physical body with the 5 senses - see, hear, smell, taste, and touch; and our sin nature - also called “human nature”, or “beast like nature” - Daniel 5:21; 2 Pet. 2:12; Jude 1:10; Ps. 49:12, 20; James 1:23-26; Romans 8.

 

Don't waste even a moment's thought on your former identity to awaken its selfish desires. Instead fully immerse yourselves into the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. - Romans 13:14 TPT

 

Paul says 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 

 

We see that even when moving in the Spirit preaching, because Paul constantly had the flow of the Holy Spirit with miraculous signs following, if he didn’t keep his body “under”- discipline his thoughts and emotions, he would loose the crown!!!!

 

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CHAPTER FOUR - FURTHER DETAILS ON THE SOUL

 

We discussed much of how to do this already. How we retrain our Flesh/Body is the same as retraining our Soul. There are only a few things to add here. 

 

Soul: mind, will, emotions, and personality.

 

1. I’m going to do this out of order above. Let’s go to the “WILL”.  Will power is your “chooser” - the will can only work properly when you have enough word in you. You know the phrase: “I have no will power…I have to eat the entire cake.”  They don’t have enough Word to resist that temptation.  This is the only way our “will” can properly work: with the Word.  

 

  2. Our Soul - mind (thoughts), FEELINGS, personality are not always         right, although we believe they are. Every thought we have is not accurate. Every feeling we have is definitely not accurate and can get you in trouble. Feelings can kill and being ruled by “feelings” will make one’s life absolute hell. They are up one minute and down the next. A roller coaster that always leads to confusion, and God is not the author of confusion but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33.) Feelings (Emotions)- is huge. At times they can seem overwhelming. This is where we stumble the most. We think we “are” our emotions. But no. We have feelings…they are not who we are.  Feelings can kill you! Talk with anyone who has attempted suicide. They will tell you how they “felt.”  ‘Hopeless. No way out. People are better off without them.’ The person has their identity in their feelings. And nothing could be further from the truth. 

 

Another example: when someone is ill - people because of “feelings” can be detrimental to the person who is sick, because they “feel sorry” for them. “Feeling sorry” is only an emotion. It has no “action” to help the person. Then the person who “feels sorry” for them speaks words of illness and death over them. Not words of life. Words create. The power of life and death is in the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. - Proverbs 18:21.

 

Instead of emotion, Jesus moved with COMPASSION. Notice the verb. “Moved”. Compassion “does” something about the situation. So when you hear of someone who is not well, pray for them! Pray how the Lord leads. Each situation is different. Speak words of life to them…which means speak scripture to them. Put it in layman's terms, don’t “christian-ize” the words straight out of King James Version…that can turn many people off. For people who are in the hospital, sleeping, in and out of consciousness, or coma - that’s when to play the word in their room, it changes things!!

 

 

    3.    more on the MIND: 1 Corinthian 8:1 - Knowledge (head knowledge) puffs up but Love builds up. 

 

This word gives us a key! Are we puffed up by what we are saying or thinking? Or does it benefit someone else. Results are the key! By the result we know what was the motivator and if actions are needed to be taken like casting down thoughts and replacing with the word. This is why our focus needs to be on the love of God and what He wants. Not what we want. And we can always tell by the end result.

 

God is very specific about the thoughts of our Soul (mind) and what it leads to, like the scripture above, and the ones below:

 

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 NIV - Do not deceive yourselves, if any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”. And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” (Job 5:13, Psalm 94:11.)

 

Romans 12:2 NIV - Be not conformed to the world’s way of working: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind - THAT we we may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.  

 

And I like to use this scripture with this, Philippians 4:8 NASB- Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 

One translation says “if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.”

 

These are the things to think about on purpose. Not on our automatic thinking from our minds when it is contrary to the word. 

 

We renew our minds by reading the word and confessing the word, and guard what we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and speak with our mouth. It’s a simple equation but it takes work. And by doing this we prove what is the perfect will of God in our lives. Fruit. We will bear good fruit. (Matthew 12:33; John 15:2.) We can tell what is happening in our lives by the fruit we are bearing. In other words, look at what you got. If you don’t like what you see, then things need to change within you. And this is how you do it. Refocus. Put your sights on the Lord - intimacy with Him IS key. Take time every day to be with Him in prayer and the word. Ask Him to help you, to show you where to go in the word. Then get quiet for a few minutes and see where you are led to go in the Bible. You may hear His still, small voice coming up from deep inside of you; or you will get a “knowing” of where to go; sometimes from deep within you will come a picture of the title of the book, like John or Isaiah and a chapter number; or sometimes a thought will come up from within you of the place to go. Whichever way He chooses to tell you, do it. Continue to nurture your “hearing” of Him.You already do whether you know it or not. You are His sheep and you hear His voice (John 10:27), it’s simply strengthening the “learning” how to hear. Continue to follow His promptings and leadings. If you follow one that wasn’t right, then you know it wasn’t Him. It was either your Soul or your Flesh, or the devil. Just because you found it wasn’t the Lord isn’t a bad thing. It is part of teaching you what is what. When the devil chimes in he typically starts with bringing thoughts to your mind that “you are worthless; you can never do anything right; people think your an idiot; you don’t have what it takes” etc. Never fails, he will always talk bad to you, about you, and make you think it is “yourself” that is talking this way. The more you keep doing this he will eventually be his ugly self and tell you he’s going to kill you. Laugh at him. He can’t touch you. Psalm 91:16 with long life will God satisfy you and show you His salvation. The difference is satan will condemn you; while the Holy Spirit will convict you in order to help you to grow in the Lord. 

 

There are some Soulish ways of thinking, ways we were raised, what we heard from our parents or family, or friends that is negative - these are “strong holds.” We took on these thoughts as our “identity.” But it’s not who we are. All of these thoughts can be changed just the way God told us in 1 Corinthians 10:3-6 and Proverbs 4:20-23. Casting down those thoughts in Jesus Name and replacing them with what the word says about us; and guarding our hearts by careful watch of what goes into our eyes, ears, and out of our mouth.  Be sure to cut the cords to that way of thinking - Proverbs 5:21-23. Strong holds always have cords. It’s what creates the bondage - Isaiah 5:18; Psalm 107:13-14; Psalm 140:5; Psalm 129:4. 

 

Plus, with all of this the Lord also gave us His mind. We have that in our inner man, the Spirit, that is one with Jesus. (1 Corinthians 2:16.) This is the part of us that knows deep down what is right and what is wrong. Our moral compass. We call it our “conscience”. Keep on track with the conscience. Don’t violate it by not doing what you are led to do. Following our conscience will keep you on the right track. 

 

1 Timothy 1:19 NIV - Holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

 

As we do all of this we know as Philippians 4:7 says, The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

 

Always follow your “peace”. If you don’t have peace about something, don’t do it! Don’t allow yourself to be pushed to make a decision. Colossians 3:15 Classic Amplified says, “Let the peace of God [the umpire of peace, the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling with all finality all questions that arise in your mind]. To this peace you were called to live as members of Christ’s one body. And be thankful [to God always].” 

 

And if you still don’t have peace about a situation, ask the Lord about it. There’s something He is trying to tell you. Don’t make any decisions about a situation until you have peace about that situation. Stay in the word and prayer until you get the answer from Him and you know how to proceed. 

 

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THOUGHTS & EMOTIONS ARE CONNECTED.  One causes the other.  We don’t ever think of them as separate, because they are not. Thought causes emotions; and emotions cause further thoughts. We are separating them in this study as a matter of study. And if we continue ruminating on a thought it creates a pattern, a “habit”, in our mind to continue thinking on those things which stirs up powerful feelings.

 

Scientifically it has been proven (https://qz.com/1569158/neuroscientists-read-unconscious-brain-activity-to-predict-decisions) - that if you take a thought for 10-11 seconds a pattern is created in the brain and a decision is made, thus an action and words occur next. This is why it is so crucial to be aware of our thoughts BEFORE a pattern is created in the brain. A habit. A proverbial “groove” if you will, like a groove in a record. When we stop the thought that is contrary to the word of God before 11 seconds, we stop the pattern from ever forming. 

 

It’s much easier to deal with thoughts quickly. It takes more time to uproot and change patterns in the brain. No matter which way we have to go, we got the victory through Christ Jesus. And it is the same simple way of casting down the thought in Jesus Name and replacing that thought with the word of God that pertains to the situation.

 

As we take authority over our emotions and thoughts when they are out of line with the Word our mind gets more and more renewed, so does the emotions.  We won’t be an emotional rollercoaster but on a steady, even keel that is hard to get flustered or flare out in situations. For example: in an emergency, a crisis situation - people either become paralyzed, or cry, or scream and yell profanity. This is the common reaction and is evidence that those people do not have any word in them. It is the Spirit man that is supposed to take over. But they have nothing in their spirit, no word. Their mind shuts down and they don’t know what to do and their emotions get flustered and flare. 

 

Another aspect for renewing our minds and emotions is that it is crucial for healing emotional scars. This is where being “hurt” comes from. Our “hearts hurt” because of an emotional scar because we “see” ourselves as our emotions. But we are not. That’s what the phrase means: “Don’t take it so personally.” Taking the emotional hurt personally - as if it is us. It is simply an emotion we have. This is why we have to renew our minds, how we think of ourselves and “see” ourselves. 

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The way we think about that situation will create a bigger groove of hurt in our emotions and causes us to not forgive. We are new creatures. Old things have passed away and ALL has become new!  And we forgive because Jesus told us to. It keeps us in contact with the Lord. If we harbor unforgiveness we separate ourselves from the love of God. He can’t get to us because there is a “barrier” in between us and Him and we were the ones that put it there…and we can “take it down” too, simply by forgiving…on purpose - Mark 11:25-26. We have to retrain our thoughts by be disciplined in forgiving that person instead of harboring resentment, pray for them, bless them in Jesus Name. This will take a few days just like any retraining of our thinking. It is the same process. If we will change our tendency to see ourselves as our emotions we won’t be so flighty; instead more stable, consistent. 

 

Plus we are commanded to forgive: Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

When we don’t control our emotions we will 100% of the time get “off”.  It’s the realm the enemy uses a lot. It’s one of the major fields he attacks. Attacks our minds, attacks our emotions, attacks our personalities, attacks the will power.

 

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