How To Differentiate Between Your Soul and Your Spirit
Discernment
Spirit Redeemed
Our spirit was redeemed when we accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Our soul is in the process of being redeemed as it is still under the influence of sin. Sin has no more power over us unless we choose to give into it. Our soul continues to rule our lives through our thoughts, feelings, and will. We have to submit to the Holy Spirit who lives in our spirit. So, how do we differentiate between spirit and soul?
When we do so we bring captive every thought to the obedience of Christ. This is to be led by the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit. We were so accustomed to our soul-life for this is what we experienced since we were born. However, things changed when we were born again. Our spirit experienced new birth and now we have to choose to walk according to the Spirit or according to the demands of our soul.
Soul And Spirit
Our soul is influenced by the world, the devil, and our senses. Our senses are prone to receive from the world and the devil because we have not been fully redeemed. We have to go through the process of sanctification of our soul till it is fully redeemed. This is a life-long process. Even Paul at the end of his life said he is the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15). But for the grace of God, none of us would be fit for heaven. This is why Jesus came to be the perfect sacrifice for us that we may inherit eternal life. Our soul always seeks to please itself. We need to transform by the renewal of our minds.
Spirit
Our spirit is redeemed and has access to the Holy Spirit. We now have to read and meditate on the word of God to be transformed from our old ways to the ways of the Lord. The Bible is the inspired, infallible word of God. Our spirit will influence our soul and choose to walk according to the word of God. We will love His word because it nourishes us and edifies us. And we unlearn our old ways and adopt new ways of doing things. We learn to love ourselves and love our neighbours.
This is a reprogramming process. It does not happen automatically when we are born again. We have to train ourselves to be worthy servants who choose between right and wrong. Many misinterpret His word and compromise. God’s word is absolute truth. When we choose to follow Him we become like Him and will do His works.
