Your Soul Man Vs. Your Spirit Man

Soul Man vs. Spirit Man by Katie Souza

Perfect!
When you received Jesus, your spirit was made instantly perfect! Your spirit man is flawless—it never sins, never gets upset, and always trusts God. Your spirit has been made brand-new:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

When I first read that verse, I thought, “If I am a totally new creation, why do I feel like a wreck and why am I acting worse?” You see, we are three part beings, body, soul, and spirit. So, when a person is born again, only the spirit is perfected. The rest is not. Your soul—which is made up of your mind, will, and emotions—still needs healing from sin and the effects of sin.

The Perfection Process:
This process is called sanctification and is described in Romans 12:2 (AMP).

“And do not be conformed to this world…but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind…so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is,…”

“Transformed” (metamorphoó) means “the change of moral character for the better.” Notice it says soul transformation happens “progressively.” That means the healing of your mind, which is part of your soul, doesn’t take place instantly when you get saved. Rather, sanctification unfolds step-by-step as you apply the power (dunamis) and presence of Jesus Christ.

Life Happens!
Let’s face it. We’re all wounded. This isn’t hard to believe, as life presents endless challenges, trials, and persecutions that can leave scars on our inner man. Because we live in a fallen world, no one is exempt. In fact, all of mankind feels the pain and pressure inside themselves of the daily assaults we are under. Sometimes, these soul wounds can be so monumental, they can drive people to totally give up. They’re able to devastate us and wipe out our hope. Therefore, we must be diligent to pursue what Jesus has supplied for us—the power (dunamis) of soul healing.

Life Is…
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” -Forrest Gump
“Life is a spell so exquisite that everything conspires to break it.” -Emily Dickenson
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” -Albert Einstein
“Life is like an elevator, a lot of ups and downs. People pushing your buttons and getting jerked around.” -LeCrae

Some good quotes (…and some not), but the Apostle Paul gives us an accurate and powerful picture of life when He said, “…life is like a race”:

“…I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.” 2 Timothy ‭4:7 (AMPC)
“…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,…” Hebrews ‭12:1 (NASB)

Life Is A Race-
Over and over in scripture life is pictured for us as a RACE, a course to finish. Therefore, life is a journey that includes the process of time. A journey, not an event. As believers, we are given this amazing race to run by His Amazing Grace! By His grace, every moment of our journey, we are being transformed into His image as we take up our cross, say no to sin, and follow Jesus. Soul transformation is a process, and while we’re in that process, we are covered by mercy and grace…not shame and fear. We may falter and fail at times, but God never changes His mind about us; He is committed to see us finish well and win the “Prize”.

The Prize…
What exactly is the goal, the reward, the big win? Intimacy with Jesus!

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:24‬ (‭NASB‬‬)

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” ‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12‬ (‭NASB)

What do we “lay hold of” when we finish this race of life? The hand of Jesus. And, friend, it will be worth it all!!! Every bump in the road, every struggle…we will be so glad we didn’t put down our cross. We will be so thankful we didn’t give in, but instead stayed in the process of transformation, got our soul wounds healed, and kept saying yes to God, until we crossed the finish line.

If You Don’t Quit, You Win!
So, where are you on your journey? There’s no need to compare your journey with anyone else’s—this is between you and God. He is pleased with the good work that He has done in you, so pleased, and He will finish what He started:

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” ‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ (‭NASB)

So, trust Him! Allow Him into every part of your soul, to heal and change you from the inside out. He won’t quit on you, and neither should you! And remember, your prize?

He’s A W E S O M E!

Big Love,

Have you been blessed by this ministry? If so, consider Partnering with us or making a One Time Gift! I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers!