“Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health[physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].”
(3 John 2)
Gives one pause… for me it’s the ‘just as’ phrase. This seems to imply a relationship. Success, Prosperity, Health – JUST AS. Just as your soul prospers. This seems, to me, that we need to attend to our soul (mind, will, emotions). So if we want to succeed/prosper/health, we need to look at each of those components in our soul and how they relate.
What does the word say about our mind? “That part of the human being in which thought takes place and perception and decisions to do good, evil, and the like come to expression. …
The importance of this dimension of human existence can be seen especially in its relation to God and His revelation.” (Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary)
Does this give you an understanding? What is this telling us? The mind is something that is incredibly difficult to define, though we all believe we know. So what is it that we are supposed to do about/with our mind? Actually, there are a number of verses …
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming.” (1 Peter 1:13)
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” (Romans 12:2)
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
There are other scriptures that tell us to renew our minds and also what/how we need to replace the unhealthy thoughts, referring to Baker:
“Renewal of the Mind. Two passages indicate that the mind must be renewed in order to conform to or apprehend the will of God. Romans 12:2 is the classic statement: Ephesians 4:23 (“be made new in the attitude of your minds”) is similar in thrust. In each case, the issue is the discernment of God’s will over and against an opposing and imposing mind-set. Renewal, which is related to conversion and regeneration by the Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:9-11 ; Colossians 3:10 ), is the prerequisite for reaching an understanding of God’s will.”
Now we’ve touched the surface of ‘understanding‘ the ‘mind’… barely. We face similar issues in the defining of ‘will'(ex Romans 9:16) and ’emotions’ (ex Philippians 4:7). We are a complex creation and should never treat ourselves less than this. Does this mean we can’t understand… ourselves? Sometimes, yes. But it also demonstrates how important these are in the development and growth of … us. Renewal is the path.
Simplistically, we aren’t to leave our soul to chance. From this we learn and act. But when we don’t succeed, prosper, be healthy – shouldn’t we look to what we are and aren’t doing about our soul? Absolutely! One aspect we need to seriously consider is what we’re feeding our soul. Are we starving it? Or only giving it ‘treats’ (ear tickling) which only builds fat not muscle?
Success. Prosperity. Health. Just as our Soul prospers.
