Body, Soul, and Spirit -- What is "Life"?

I've got a "deep" one for you today, so take your time reading and let it all soak in. This is basic stuff we should all know, but it is rarely taught. It's not that it's controversial--it's that most people don't understand how we're made, so they avoid the subject. Nevertheless, God does understand how you're made--He's the One who did it!

Today's blog post comes from scripture by revelation of the Holy Spirit and time-tested proof. None of this is theory--it has all been proven time and again; so let it soak in (though I do welcome questions, open discussion, and additional insights).
--Art--

You have a body, a soul, and a spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The body is the physical "you"--we seem to all understand this one, so I won't really spend any time on it, except to say that it largely consists of your physical form, your impulses, and your perception. Then there's your soul, which consists of your mind, will, and emotions. Finally is your spirit, which is the part of you that is meant to have communion with God and thereby be the epicenter of authority and life.

The soul (mind, will, and emotions) seems to be the result of your body and spirit coming together. Think about it: ask a doctor where the soul exists, and they will say that it exists in biochemical reactions and nerve cells throughout your body. Ask many Christians, and they will often observe that the soul is primarily immaterial. Who's right? Both. When God made Adam, the Bible says that He formed him from the dust of the ground (BODY) and breathed into His nostrils the spirit of life (SPIRIT), and man became a living being (SOUL).

God's intention is that our "life" would flow from the spirit He placed within us. But when mankind fell into separation from God (a.k.a. “sin”), it was because we had chosen to put the desires of our body and soul ahead of the Truth in our spirit.

This is how most people live on a daily basis. Rather than “life” springing forth from one’s spirit, the person begins to define “life” as being “the experiences of one’s body and soul.” Therefore, we say things like, “My life is a wreck,” or, “Why is life so hard?”

But if real “life” is something God-given that comes from the spirit He placed within you, then how can you say your life is a wreck or that it’s difficult? The truth is actually that your circumstances are a wreck and your situation is difficult; and if you DID have “life,” you would be able to rise up and overcome those struggles!

Before we come to know Christ, we have a backwards way of living. Our understanding of “life” is purely external and relates directly to the body and soul. How do I feel right now? Am I happy? Am I hungry? Are my needs being met? Are my wants being fulfilled? Am I intellectually satisfied? Am I able to make good decisions? Am I healthy? Pretty? Handsome? Ugly? Fat? Depressed? Angry?

But when Jesus enters the scene, He gives us His Holy Spirit to awaken our own slumbering spirits and bring us to new life! Suddenly, life is AWESOME no matter what the circumstances are! And as we allow ourselves to be fueled by the Holy Spirit and our own unique, God-given spirit, it begins to affect our soul! We start to have peace in our emotions. We start to make better decisions with our will. Even our intellect (mind) is opened up to understand things the devil had been keeping us blind to. And from there, our bodies even get affected. Even secular doctors have observed the so-called “mind-body connection” in which most diseases are directly linked to negative thoughts and emotions. Jesus saves you—body, soul, and spirit—from the inside-out!

So ask Him today to give you His Holy Spirit and awaken the personal spirit He placed in you. Ask Him to give you the “abundant life” Jesus promised. Ask Him to transform your soul and body by helping you to live according to the “life” in your spirit.

Do not let your life be defined by your trials. Let your trials be impacted by your life! Are you going to be shaken by this world? Or are you going to be a world-shaker?

Jesus said, “In this world you will have troubles, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world!”