The 3 Parts of Man – We are spirit, we have a soul, and live in a body. Each have their unique characteristics and cannot do what the other does. Learn who you are. Understanding the way God made us will help us avoid misconceptions about the reasons we do what we do and act like we act.
Genesis 1:26a-27 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
First God created a container (the body) out of dust. Next, He breathed life (spirit) into that container and man became a nephesh: a soul. Everything else God created was spoke into existence; except man. Just as God is Three in One, so is man.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The soul and spirit are united at birth and it is hard to distinguish one from the other. Have you ever wondered if what you were thinking was a craving of your body, a desire of your own mind, or from God? The Word of God is what shows us the difference.
Hebrews 4:12 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.
It is our spirit that gets “reborn;” not our body or our soul.
John 3:3-6 Jesus answered and said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 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?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
This is talking about our born-again spirit. After we became “saved,” our bodies didn’t change. This earthen vessel we now reside in will not go to heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:44b-49 There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
Our thoughts and memories didn’t change. Only our spirit-man became brand new.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The soul refers to the mind, will, and emotions of a human being. It is the place of personality, thinking, decision making, and feelings.
The functions and purposes of our 3 parts.
The body was created to interact with the physical world, the soul to interact with other souls and the spirit to interact with God.
The body relates in the sensual (Eros), the soul relates emotionally (Philo) and the spirit relates to God (Agape).
The body’s responds with fight or flight, the soul responds with reason or imagination and the spirit responds with faith or conviction.
The body operates in touch, smell, taste, see, and hear (physical health), the soul operates in ideas, beliefs, feelings, and attitudes (mental health), and the spirit operates in visions, discernment, and purpose (spiritual health).
The body wants to fulfill the desires of the senses, the soul wants to connect with other (sense of belonging), and the spirit wants to please and do the will of God.
Romans 8:5-8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, (set their minds on) the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
