Ever think about your soul? Ever wonder why scripture talks about your soul as often as it does? Or do you couple spirit and soul together into one? They aren’t the same, you know. When you read ‘spirit’ in scripture – it isn’t talking about your soul… and vice versa. So what is ‘soul’? Your mind, will, and emotions. Remember 3John 1:2?
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well wit you and that you may be in
good health, as it goes well with your soul.” (ESV)
I think the point is that our soul is what’s under attack. Scripture spends considerable time telling us to renew our minds. Does this mean that the mind is the most important? Or is it our greatest weakness? Perhaps, it is our emotions that tend to dictate to our mind and will. Whatever we allow to control is visibly demonstrated in our actions and words.
Obviously, our soul is incredibly important but I wonder if we give sufficient thought to protecting, growing the various components? Take a look at ‘will’ for a moment. Are you the willful type? willing? What is the condition of your will? When you look at children, you see willfulness in abundance. Our will has to be grown into a positive and not negative force. The word ‘restraint’ typically is used. The will is like the foundation to a building – very important to the whole building.
Emotions – another strong component. Some people seem to be governed by only emotions, ‘logic’ has no place. It is also the excuse by those who adopt this as their foundation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with emotions, our feelings can give us the esoteric understandings that always accompany will and mind. The only problem is when we use this as our main MO, the way we typically react to the world. Emotions, like will, have to be ‘tamed’. They have a place it just can’t be the main method.
Mind. Scripture’s (ESV) definitions/applications:
Romans 8:6-8 “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set
the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set
on the flesh is hostile to God… Those who are in the flesh cannot
please God.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind…”
Luke 10:27 “…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and will all your strength and with all your
mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Those are only a few of the scriptures related to the importance of our mind. Nowhere in scripture does it tell us to leave our minds at the church door as we enter or not to continue studying the scriptures about renewing our mind. It does tell us that renewal is OUR responsibility. We are to renew so that we are led by this. Romans tells us why:
“by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.” (v.2)
Soul: will, emotions, mind. These are all critical to who we are, how we express ourselves, and who we become. They are all within OUR control. This is what we do – we grow them. It is always our free will to become our best.
