A Paradigm Shift

Prior to coming to Christ, we determined our daily routine by our priorities. We valued, worked toward and pursued anything that would assist us in reaching our goals. We developed these habits, day in and day out, living by our human reasoning and working to please our self and to secure our future. We focused on our success and make sure we came out on top (Romans 1:25; 2 Corinthians 5:15).

Our flesh formed habits as we trained our thoughts, attitudes, words and actions to respond and react in certain ways to the challenges and trials of life. We are used to living independently of any restraints or parameters on our behavior (Romans 8:7-8). We do good deeds for others, but we want the praise. However, when the Spirit of God comes into our life, He encourages us to entirely shift our mind-set.

This sets up a dichotomy in our life, which causes a tug-of-war within our soul. God wants us to put to death the carnal deeds of our flesh, so that we can live an abundant spiritual life (Romans 8:13-14). Yet, our flesh wants to maintain the status quo, so that we can retain control. The tie-breaker is God’s Spirit. He resurrects our spirit, which was formerly dead in sin (Ephesians 2:5).

Our spirit is Born Again and Spiritually alive (Colossians 3:3). Then, He crucifies our old nature with Christ, and we partake in the divine nature of Christ (2 Peter 1:4). The fruit of the Spirit replace our formal carnal character (Galatians 5:22-23). We no longer live independently, but in dependence on God’s love and will. Yet, some of the former traits, alien to God’s ways, still influence our thoughts, words and behavior.

Gradually, we experience a shift in our paradigm. As we lay down our independent and willful tendencies on a daily basis (Matthew 16:24-26), and obey the will of God instead, we willingly submit our old fleshly habits to the work of God’s Spirit within us (Romans 8:12-13). Each day we walk in more and more victory over the flesh (Romans 7:14 - 8:12). We eventually abide in God’s Spirit and daily follow God’s desires for our life (Galatians 5:16-26).

Prayer:

Father God, Your saving faith, a gift to us from Your mercy and love, comes from Your Holy Spirit and influences and transforms us. You draw us to Your heart and You renovate every aspect of our life by Your Spirit. This free gift is priceless, and we thank You for the sacrifice Jesus paid for our eternal life (Ephesians 2:8). We give You all of the praise, honor and glory for what You accomplish in our life.

Thought for the Day:

We overcome the deeds of our flesh by renewing our mind and surrendering our life to Christ. - Romans 12:2; Mark 10:28-29

Dichotomy or Trichotomy?

Read: I Thessalonians 5:23


“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 soul." Gen 2:7

There is a distinct difference between the topics of the Dichotomy of man, which limits man to a body and a soul; and a Trichotomy of man, which states that man possesses a body, soul and spirit. There are Bible verses, which imply that the soul and spirit are the same entity (Matthew 10:28; Luke 1: 46-47; Acts 2:31; 1 Corinthians 5:3; 6:20; 7:34; 2 Peter 2:11). Then other verses distinguish between the soul and spirit (Proverbs 25:25; Luke 1: 46-47; Romans 8:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12; 3 John 2). This is another one of those mysteries of the faith, such as the Trinity, which represents three persons in one God.

I believe that God made man as a Trichotomy...Spirit, Soul, and Body. Created in the image of God, we are a trinity also, just as He is the Father, Son and Spirit. We have a spiritual nature that is separate and distinct from the body, in which it dwells; and from the soul through which it thinks, feels and decides upon an action. We experience life through our Body, we acknowledge life through our Soul, and we influence life through our Spirit. God formed man of the dust (body), and breathed into him the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul) (Genesis 2:7). This is His original plan for mankind.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they brought death into the world. Every baby is born with a body and soul, but their spirit is dead because of this original sin. Their spirit remains dead until they come to Christ and their spirit is Born Again. The spirit of the unsaved person is dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13). They do, however, have a body and also a soul. The soul contains our mind, will and emotions.

There is another reason that I believe in the Trichotomy of man. In Luke, Jesus tells a story about two men who lived at the same time. One was a very rich man. The other was a beggar named Lazarus, who ate crumbs from the rich man’s table. The beggar ended up in Heaven and the rich man saw him there from hell. He asks Abraham to allow Lazarus to minister to his physical needs (Luke 16: 23-24). Since the rich man’s body is still in the grave, how could he see, hear, feel and identify these torments?

Simply put, the rich man’s soul is experiencing everything the body would experience. In the resurrection, the rich man’s immortal body will join his soul in hell, and he will experience double torments for eternity. This is one reason Jesus gave the church the imperative to win souls; in order to keep people from experiencing this intense anguish in hell forever.

We care for our Body with proper rest, exercise, and nutrition. We care for our Soul through developing our mind, submitting our will to God’s will, and by meeting our emotional needs through our interactions with people, pets and some physical aspects of life. We care for our Spirit through Bible study, church attendance, prayer, fasting, Christian fellowship, service, and sharing our faith with others.

What we do with our body affects what we think and feel in our soul, and how we receive God’s direction through our spirit. What we allow ourselves to focus on, or to act upon, affects us in our body, soul and spirit. Without fully developing all three parts of our being, we live as handicapped individuals. Unless we acknowledge and nurture each entity, we will never reach wholeness within ourselves or be able to completely nurture others in our life.

Our spirit is instantly Born Again through Justification. Our soul is transformed through the life long Sanctification process. Eventually, our body will be instantly immortal, when we see Jesus and go through Glorification. The Body is our existence, the Soul is our expression, and the Spirit is the essence of our life.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to use our body, soul and spirit to make a difference for You in our world. Help those of us who are not in touch with their emotions, who do not care about developing their mind, or who are not Born Again in their spirit to spend time meditating on these aspects of our humanity and allowing You to transform each part of them. Help us to take Your Word seriously and to realize that You intend for us to be witnesses for You to everyone we meet.

Thought for the Day:

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12).