Spirit, Soul and Body:
The general opinion of fallen men that human beings are dualistic, soul and body, are far from the truth. The soul is the invisible inner spiritual part while the body is the visible outer part. The Bible never confuses spirit and soul as though they are the same. The Bible does not divede man into the two parts of soul and body. The Bible treats man as spirit, soul and body.
1 Thess. 5:23..” …may the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
To know the difference and the effects between spirit and soul is important for the believer. Without this understanding spiritual growth will not take place and spiritual maturity will fail. Spiritual knowledge is very important to spiritual life. The most ignorant believer without the slightest idea of the division of spirit and soul, may experience such a dividing in real life. On the other hand, the most informed believer, may nonetheless have no experience of it.
Hebr 4:12…”For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intensions of the heart.”
From this it is evident that the soul and spirit can be divided. And as they can be divided, they must be different in nature.
W. Nee
Danie Jonker 