SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY
How does this all work?
When Adam was created by God, He used dust to create the physical body. God then breathed life into man's lifeless body by placing spirit in man. Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7, KJV). The word 'breath' in greek is Pneuma and means spirit. The context of breathing on humans the breath of God is the Spirit of God. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 21-22, NKJV).
We are also created in the image of God. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Genesis 1:27, NASB). Scripture also tells us that we are created in the image of God who is a three part being (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). God is three in one - one God/ three parts each with distinct roles. Man is also a three part being - spirit (breath), soul and physical body. God is a spiritual being with a mind, will, conscience and emotions. There is no carnality in God. There was no carnality in man when he was first created as we were made in His image. When man and woman were first created we were created to be Holy, just as God is Holy. Adam and Eve’s human spirit was alive and in full fellowship with God, and their soul (mind, will, emotions) submitted to the spirit. They lived in righteousness, peace, and harmony with God and creation. We cannot say for certain whether Adam and Eve were indwelt by the Holy Spirit as we are today after we are born-again, but they were able to intuitively know God's will and obey it. What Scripture does show is that his human spirit was fully alive in fellowship with God – and that fellowship was broken by sin.
Our human spirit is created, dependent, and non-divine. It gives life, consciousness, and the capacity to seek God, but it is not God. Our spirit lives because God sustains it. If He withdraws it, the body returns to dust (Psalm 104:29).
In the Garden of Eden when the serpent tempted Eve, who then tempted Adam to eat from the tree of knowledge, and they obeyed, this spelled disaster for mankind. “In the day you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). This death did not destroy the human spirit, but it rendered it inactive toward God. If the human spirit did contain the Holy Spirit before the fall, then afterward He no longer dwelled there. Fellowship was lost. Separation in Scripture does not mean God is absent. It means relationship is broken and access is restricted. “Your iniquities have separated you from your God” (Isaiah 59:2). God can still speak across separation, but intimacy and union were lost.
God also put up a wall of separation which separated us from Him in which Jesus removes when we become born again. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:14-18, NKJV). (Although this Scripture is in the context of the separation between Jews and Gentiles the Lord showed me that this also depicts the division between man and God which was represented by the tearing of the veil when Christ died on the cross. This Scripture also depicts the division between soul and spirit. The word ‘separation’ is actually partition in the KJV and means Phragmos in Greek which is ‘That which separates. Prevents two from coming together’. The word ‘man’ in this Scripture in Greek is Anthropos and means ‘To distinguish man from a different race. Two fold nature of man).
The two fold nature of man of course is the soul (carnal part of man) and spirit (Godly part of man). This wall I believe also separated our soul (which is also known as our heart) from our human spirit. Our human spirit, soul and body (although three parts) I believe must have originally operated as one whole entity in unison which is why the Bible described the conjoining of man's physical body and spirit becoming a living soul. After the fall God separated the carnal nature of man from the spiritual nature of man. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV). Spirit and soul (heart) at this point are no longer one - they stand divided. The spirit part of man remains dormant (awaiting the Holy Spirit) while the soul (heart) becomes a playground to satan. The Word of God exposes this condition, revealing the inactive spirit and the rebellious soul, preparing the heart for restoration.
The main word for spirit in Hebrew is Ruwach or Ruach and means wind, breath, mind, spirit. Seat or organ of mental acts. As seat especially of moral character. Often, when the Old Testament talks about the “Spirit of the Lord” or the “Spirit of God,” the word for “Spirit” is Ruach. Use of ruach as “spirit” when not linked with God usually is in reference to the human spirit. Another word for spirit in Hebrew is Neshamah meaning Breath of God or breath of life, the life-breath God gives to man. Spirit is Pneuma in Greek meaning breath/spirit/wind.
Soul when taken back to Hebrew is Nephesh meaning life and seat of emotions and passions, heart. In Greek Soul is Psychē meaning breath, heart.
1. the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)
Heart in Greek is Kardia meaning seat of passions, thoughts and desires. In Ezekiel 36:26 God says He wants to give us a new heart and a new spirit. The word heart here in Hebrew is lēḇ and means the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.
What this shows us is that the descriptions used for spirit, soul, and heart often overlap. I have also heard the heart described as the “seat of the soul.” In Scripture, the heart and soul are closely connected and frequently overlap in meaning. Both refer to the inner life of a person - including thoughts, desires, and emotions. However, the heart often emphasizes the deepest core of the soul - the place where beliefs, motives, and moral decisions originate. I believe when the Bible talks about the 'soul' it is also referencing the heart but when the Bible specifically talks about the heart it is an intentional part of the soul which I believe is where motives, desires, and moral decisions form - the place that decides, loves, and chooses.
So whenever the Bible refers to the soul, it often includes the heart, but when it singles out the heart, it’s highlighting the part of the soul that directs intention and choice.
That’s why verses like:
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“As he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7)
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“The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9)
…are so powerful: the heart is essentially the “engine of the soul” - what actually drives our actions and reflects who we really are inside. Understanding this helps explain why the Bible can sometimes speak of spirit, soul, and even heart in similar ways, describing different aspects of our inner life.
Interestingly, the Greek word sōma means body, referring to the physical body and distinguishing it from the inner life of a person. The word sarx is often translated flesh, and while it can refer to the physical body, it is also frequently used to describe the carnal or sinful nature of man. Because of this sinful nature, the Bible speaks of an uncircumcised heart that must be renewed. In other words, the heart - the core of the soul where motives and desires originate - must be transformed and renewed by God.
I believe the spirit and soul were 'as one' until the separation at the fall of Adam. Interestingly even though Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons they are still one. They are not separate for to be separate means to pull apart. I believe God separated the soul (heart) of man from his spirit when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. We see by Scripture in Genesis 1:4 that God has to separate the light from the darkness. Light and dark cannot dwell together. When sin entered man, his heart became dark and had to be separated from the light (man's spirit which is still the breath of God and our God conscience). I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1, NKJV). The heart is sometimes described as the seat of the soul and the most wicked. Our soul (heart) has an evil conscience until it is purified. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22, NKJV). I have learned that the soul which is our mind, will, emotions and evil conscience contains the fleshly carnal nature and our spirit which is also our mind, will, emotions and Godly-conscience contains the Godly nature. They war against each other. The spirit and soul are both spiritual and house the same things except one is fleshly, one is Godly. The spirit contains the fruits of the Holy Spirit when it is born-again. God wants to purify the carnal soulish nature of man so the soul and spirit both reflect Godliness and the same Godly attributes.
All three parts of us need to be sanctified. 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 (1 Thessalonians 5:23, KJV). The word sanctify in this passage in Greek is Hagiazo. The word sanctified in Greek is also Hagiazo and means 1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow 2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God 2a) consecrate things to God 2b) dedicate people to God 3) to purify 3a) to cleanse externally 3b) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin 3c) to purify internally by renewing of the soul. In the Scripture above Paul is saying that our whole spirit, soul and body needs to be sanctified – all three parts of us. At the beginning of our salvation our spirit is born-again. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16, NKJV). This is also reflected in John 20:22 when Jesus breathed on the disciples and they were born-again. Our soul and physical body are not made new at this time. Paul talks very clearly of the war between soul and spirit (Romans 8) so we see by this that there is a work to be one in our fleshly (not born again) areas of our soul (heart) and physical body. Many believe that the moment we are born again that we are born again completely in our hearts also. This is incorrect. Our heart (soul) is the part of us that needs to be sanctified, cleansed, purged, delivered and healed. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22, KJV). The word ‘sealed us’ in Greek is Sphragizo and means to 1) to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal. The word ‘the earnest’ (of the Spirit) in Greek is Arrhabon and means 1) an earnest 1a) money which in purchases is given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid. We see by this when we first receive the Holy Spirit our spirits bear witness with His Spirit that we are children of God, and our heart is sealed with a down payment of the Holy Spirit in which the full amount will subsequently be paid. We have not received the fullness of the Holy Spirit until the heart (soul) is cleansed, healed and made whole through the sanctification process of purification and the renewing of the soul. As the old man dies, the new man rises up in resurrection power – it is a process.
Scripture also shows us that we receive our new physical body at Christ’s return. This too is not made new at the moment of original conversion. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 50-54, NKJV).
Sanctification starts to take place the moment we are born again. Sanctification is cleansing and healing of wounds, sin, mindsets and all carnality within our soul. Demons live in the soul and physical body of man entrenched within the carnal mindsets and wounds until the Holy Spirit deals with them. Demons cannot live in your spirit once you are born-again as this is the breath of God and reserved for God. There may be many obstacles to clear away before complete cleansing and healing of the soul is outworked. After we initially receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit we will then at some point receive the baptism of fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11, NKJV). This is the purification and the testing of our hearts. It is a higher process of sanctification, testing and refining before we can claim that Jesus is fully within our heart. When the heart is sanctified you receive an even greater infilling of the Holy Spirit. This is backed up in Scripture when we see the Disciples (who already had received the Holy Spirit in John 20:22) received a greater infilling at Pentecost in the Upper Room. The end result of sanctification is the conjoining of man's spirit (which contains the Holy Spirit) back together with the cleansed and sanctified heart/soul. The Bible tells us to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. You and God put to death the old man and resurrect the new man together when you walk in obedience to the Spirit of God. Man becomes Christ-like! This is known as walking in the fullness of the Glory of God.
Upon salvation Jesus tore down that dividing wall so that the Holy Spirit could enter the spirit of man and restore that connection between soul and spirit and restore the whole fallen relationship between man and God. You will remember at the Cross of Calvary Jesus tore the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holiest of Holies. The veil was the only access provided within the wall that separated man from God. Only those whom God considered as worthy were able to enter here. Tearing down the veil also means that we are now all Holy Priests and can enter into the Throne room of God and enter into His presence with our hearts (when we worship in spirit and truth). The Law of God in our minds and permanently written in our hearts is activated when we are born again. Our human spirit is where we Commune with God, and also where the gifts of the Holy Spirit operate from. Without the connection between soul and spirit we cannot comprehend them. The Law of God is in our minds (conscious) and written in our hearts. We are then made aware of God's Moral Laws and have a God-conscience. Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness (Romans 2:15, NKJV). When we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are changed, we know we are different. We come alive. The Holy Spirit then does a work in us to completely baptise our entire heart and soul. Dependant on the state of our heart and our willingness to yield all to Jesus, this can be a quick or slow work.
Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well (Ecclesiastes 12:6, NKJV). The Holy Spirit showed me that at death our spirit/soul leaves our physical body. The physical body returns to dust, and the spirit returns to Father. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7, NKJV). The spirit/soul goes back to God for judgement. The spirit/soul of man will go to eternal paradise or to Hell to live in eternal torment. This is entirely dependent on whether the connection has been restored to God if we have chosen Jesus. When we choose Jesus we choose life, if not we choose death!
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:8-10, NKJV).
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6, NKJV).
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:3-8, NKJV).
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:37-39, NKJV).
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16, NKJV). *You will see by the following three scriptures (John 3:3-8, John 7:37-39 and Romans 8:16) that when we are born again, rivers of living water (Jesus) flow from our hearts and our spirit bears witness with the Holy Spirit.
SUMMARY -
• Human spirit = created life from God
• Holy Spirit = uncreated divine life of God
• Born again = God gives us His Spirit to dwell in us
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭
• The human spirit is revived and made alive again
• Our soul is now called to submit to the spirit, yet remains in conflict until the old man is put to death
• Fellowship with God is restored, and the inner man begins the work of transformation
• The inner division caused by sin is healed
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
By Tania Francis
See also Sanctification of God's Holy Temple