Spirit, Soul and Body

1. You Are a Three-Part Being: Spirit, Soul, and Body

Even though God's Word clearly teaches that we are three-part beings, very few Christians practice a functional understanding of spirit, soul, and body in their everyday lives!

Understanding the Tripartite Nature. Humans are composed of three distinct parts: spirit, soul, and body. The body is the physical part, the soul is the mental, emotional, and volitional part (mind, will, and emotions), and the spirit is the innermost part, the seat of our connection with God. Many Christians only acknowledge the physical and emotional aspects, neglecting the crucial spiritual dimension.

Distinguishing Spirit and Soul. The soul, often confused with the spirit, is the seat of our personality, including our mind, will, emotions, and conscience. It interacts with both the physical world through the body and the spiritual realm through the spirit. The spirit, however, is the part of us that is reborn and transformed at salvation, becoming the dwelling place of God's Spirit.

Accessing the Spirit Realm. Unlike the body and soul, which can be accessed through natural senses and introspection, the spirit cannot be accessed in any natural way. Spiritual truth is discerned through the Bible, God's Word, which acts as a spiritual mirror, reflecting who we are in the spirit. Understanding this distinction is key to unlocking the power and potential within us.

2. Your Spirit Is Perfect and Complete at Salvation

At this very moment, your born-again spirit is as perfect and complete as it'll ever be throughout all eternity.

Instant and Complete Transformation. At the moment of salvation, your spirit undergoes an immediate and total transformation, becoming as perfect, mature, and complete as Jesus Himself. This change is not a gradual process but an instantaneous reality. The body and soul, however, are impacted by salvation but not totally or completely.

Renewing and Releasing. The Christian life is not about trying to get something from God but about renewing your mind to the truth of what has already happened in your spirit and releasing that reality into your soul and body. As your soul aligns with your spirit, you experience the benefits of your salvation.

The Pivot Point. The soul acts as a valve between the spirit and the body. When the soul agrees with the spirit, the life of God flows freely into the physical realm, bringing healing, deliverance, and power. However, when the soul aligns with the body and the natural realm, the flow of life is shut off, hindering the manifestation of God's power.

3. Renew Your Mind to Release Your Spirit's Power

The way your faith becomes effective, productive, operative is by acknowledging every good thing in you (your spirit) in Christ.

Acknowledging the Good Within. The effectiveness of your faith hinges on acknowledging the good things that are already present in your spirit in Christ Jesus. This means recognizing, believing, and confessing the spiritual realities that are true of you in Christ.

Transformation Through Mind Renewal. Transformation occurs through the renewing of your mind, conforming your thoughts, attitudes, and values to the Word of God. This process allows you to experience yourself for who you really are in the spirit, releasing the power and potential within.

One-Third Complete. At salvation, one-third of your being—your spirit—is already completely saved, sanctified, holy, and empowered. The rest of your Christian life involves aligning your soul and body with this spiritual reality, allowing the perfection of your spirit to manifest in every area of your life.

4. Carnal vs. Spiritual Mindedness: Choose Life and Peace

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Carnal Mindedness Defined. Carnal mindedness is allowing your mind to be dominated by what you can see, taste, hear, smell, and feel, centering your thoughts primarily on the physical realm. It is not necessarily sinful, but it is sensual, limited to the five senses.

Spiritual Mindedness Defined. Spiritual mindedness is allowing your mind to be dominated by what the Word of God says, releasing the flow of God's life within you. It involves believing in things that cannot be physically seen, trusting in spiritual realities beyond natural perception.

The Choice Between Life and Death. Carnal mindedness leads to death, encompassing sadness, loneliness, bitterness, and illness. Spiritual mindedness, on the other hand, produces life and peace, keeping you in perfect peace as your mind stays on God, regardless of your physical circumstances.

5. You Are One With Jesus: Embrace Your Spiritual Identity

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

As He Is, So Are We. In your spirit, you are just as Jesus is right now in heaven, in all of His glory, power, and perfection. This is not a future hope but a present reality, a truth to be embraced and released in your everyday life.

Complete Unity With Christ. You are one with Jesus Christ, a singular union to the exclusion of another. This is more than mere similarity; it is complete identity. In the spirit realm, you are molecule-for-molecule and atom-for-atom identical to Jesus.

Releasing the Truth Within. Believing that you are one with Jesus is the first step. The next is learning how to release this reality from within. As you renew your mind and embrace the Word, you will see the perfection that is in your spirit start flowing out through your soul and body, impacting both you and others.

6. Sealed by the Holy Spirit: Your Spirit Is Eternally Secure

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.

Preserved and Protected. Once you believe, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit, encasing your born-again spirit for the purpose of preservation. This seal prevents the uncleanness and defilement of the world from penetrating your spirit.

Righteousness Uncontaminated. When you fail in any area of your life, the effects of sin do not penetrate your spirit. The Holy Spirit seal keeps the good in and the bad out, ensuring that your spirit retains its original holiness and purity for eternity.

Born of God, Cannot Sin. Your spirit, being born of God, cannot sin. This means that your performance does not affect the purity and holiness of your spirit. You are as righteous and holy now, in your spirit, as you will ever be.

7. Eternal Redemption: Forgiveness of Past, Present, and Future Sins

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

One Sacrifice, Once for All. Jesus entered the holy place once and obtained eternal redemption for us, providing an eternal inheritance. This one-time sacrifice works once for all, never needing to be repeated.

Forgiveness of All Sins. Eternal redemption means that you have been forgiven of your sins—past, present, and future. Through His perfect sacrifice, God has already dealt with all sins, making you righteous in His sight.

No Longer Sin-Conscious. As a New Testament believer, you need not be conscious of sin. Your spirit has been sanctified and perfected forever. Focus your thoughts on who you are in the spirit, and you will be conscious of righteousness.

8. God's Supernatural Faith: You Already Have All You Need

God not only provides the salvation you need, but He also supplies the very faith you use to appropriate His grace!

Faith as a Gift. You receive everything in the Christian life—including faith—by grace through faith. God not only provides the salvation you need but also supplies the very faith you use to appropriate His grace.

Supernatural Faith Through the Word. Faith comes through hearing the Word of God, which contains His supernatural faith. When you receive the Word into your heart, you are receiving God's own faith, which produces supernatural results.

The Measure of Faith. Every born-again believer has been given the measure of faith, the exact same quantity and quality of faith as every other Christian. You don't need more faith; you just need to believe that you already have it and learn how to release it.

9. The Mind of Christ: Your Spirit Knows All Things

But we have the mind of Christ.

Perfect Knowledge in Your Spirit. Your born-again spirit came with the mind of Christ, a mind that already knows all things. The rest of the Christian life is learning how to draw it out into the physical realm, experiencing revelation knowledge.

Single-Mindedness. The key to the Christian life is training your physical mind to agree with your spirit mind, which is the mind of Christ. When your spirit mind and physical mind are in agreement, you are single-minded, believing with all your heart and seeing God's power manifest.

Releasing the Mind of Christ. Studying God's Word and praying in tongues are powerful ways to release the mind of Christ. As you study the Word, your spirit bears witness with the truth, and as you pray in tongues, you speak mysteries and build yourself up.

10. Walk in the Spirit: Overcome the Flesh by Focusing on God

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

The Battle Between Spirit and Flesh. The Christian life is a battle between your spirit and your flesh, with each vying for dominance. The flesh gravitates toward what it can see, taste, hear, smell, and feel, while the spirit is aligned with God and His Word.

Mind Your Spirit. Instead of focusing on denying the flesh, focus on walking in the spirit by centering your attention on the things of God. As you do, the brightness of who you are in the spirit will shine through, breaking the control of the flesh.

Spiritual Mindedness. You know you are walking in the spirit when your mind is stayed on the things of the Spirit, when God's Word dominates you more than what you can see, taste, hear, smell, and feel. This spiritual mindedness brings life and peace.

11. The Impossible Life: Living by the Spirit's Power

For I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The Christian Life Is Impossible in the Flesh. The Christian life is impossible to live in your own strength. You cannot please God in your flesh, nor can you fulfill His commands without supernatural assistance.

Releasing Christ Within. The key to living the Christian life is releasing Christ within you. Instead of trying to do the right thing in your own strength, turn to God and ask Him to live His life through you.

Supernatural Strength. By humbling yourself and turning to God, you will discover a supernatural strength flowing through you, enabling you to love, forgive, and endure in ways that are impossible in your own ability.

Last updated: February 28, 2025