Watchman Nee’s Daily Devotional for today discusses the difference between our soul and spirit. I was unclear on the difference, so I researched the subject. Today’s blog post addresses this important issue.
Soul and Spirit In Scripture
Nee began by quoting Hebrews 4.12:
“For the word of God is living,… piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Then Nee said, “We ought to acknowledge that it is not easy for us ourselves to differentiate between what is spiritual and what is soulish merely by their outward appearances. It is futile to ask ourselves daily whether this is spiritual or that is soulish. Such questioning will have no spiritual value at all. We may ask, but we will not get an answer. In spiritual things, self-analysis will not only fail to show us the reality, it will even create spiritual paralysis. Real seeing and understanding comes only from God’s illumination. As light shines, we just naturally see. We therefore do not need to ask ourselves questions; all we need to do is to ask God to cause his word to shine in us, for the word of God is living and most effective.” (Christian Fellowship Publishers)
The Difference Between Soul and Spirit
Let’s explore the difference between “soul” and “spirit.” The Bible identifies these concepts as distinct yet interconnected, each playing a unique role in the human experience and relationship with God.
The Soul
The Soul (Hebrew: nephesh, Greek: psuchē) refers to:
- Essence of Life: The soul often refers to a person’s life essence or the principle of life. It is what makes a body alive. In Genesis 2:7, God breathes the breath of life into Adam, and he becomes a “living soul” (nephesh).
- Personhood and Identity: The soul is associated with individual identity, emotions, will, and intellect. It encompasses the seat of our feelings, desires, affections, and aversions. It makes us who we are, as seen in verses like Psalm 42:11, where the psalmist speaks to his soul about his despair and hope.
- Moral Conscience: The soul is also tied to a person’s moral and ethical dimension. It involves making choices and experiencing guilt or satisfaction based on those choices (Ezekiel 18:4).
The Spirit
The Spirit (Hebrew: ruach, Greek: pneuma), on the other hand, refers to:
- Divine Connection: The spirit is often viewed as the part of a person that connects with God. It is the breath of life from God, signifying a deeper spiritual dimension (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Through the spirit, people can commune with God, receive His guidance, and experience His presence.
- Innermost Being: The spirit represents the innermost part of a person, beyond emotions and intellect, and is considered the core of one’s being. It is what is renewed and regenerated in the process of salvation (John 3:6).
- Spiritual Life: The spirit is central to a person’s spiritual life and vitality. In Romans 8:16, it is said that “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” indicating the spirit’s role in affirming our relationship with God.
Distinctions and Interactions
The following biblical verses tackle this issue head-on:
- Hebrews 4:12, quoted by Watchman Nee above, illustrates the distinction and interaction between soul and spirit. It suggests that while soul and spirit are closely linked, they are distinct enough to be separately discerned by the word of God.
- In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prays that the whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This statement implies a holistic view of human nature, recognizing distinct components yet emphasizing their unity in a person’s sanctification and relationship with God.
Soul and Spirit
In summary, the soul relates to life, personhood, emotions, and moral conscience. It is the seat of our personal identity and the part that experiences emotional and moral life. In contrast, the spirit pertains to our divine connection, innermost being, and spiritual life. It is the part through which we experience and connect with God and spiritual truths.
While soul and spirit are distinct in their functions and significance, they work together to form the complete human experience, each playing a vital role in how we live, feel, and connect with the divine. And coming back to Watchman Nee’s message, we must be mindful not to fall prey to overthinking which is which. Continuously questioning ourselves about whether something is spiritual or soulish is pointless and offers no spiritual benefit. Such self-examination won’t provide us with answers and will lead to spiritual exhaustion instead of clarity. Let us remember that true understanding comes from God’s illumination. When His light shines, we see things clearly. Therefore, instead of constantly questioning ourselves, we should always ask God to illuminate us with His word.
Next Steps
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Focus Keyphrase: Soul and Spirit
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