Growing up in the church we would often say,” Three Souls were saved today”, or “Soul winning this Sunday.” The problem is — this is is not really scriptural. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that when we are born again we are reborn into a brand new creation in Christ. Our spirit man is recreated, born again, or saved. James 1: 21 says “…receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

The spirit is saved; the soul needs work.

The spirit is born again; the soul needs to be renewed.

Do you see the difference? So our spirit is immediately changed but our soul (our mind, our emotions, and our will) only changes as we spend time in God’s Word. As we read and meditate on the His Word it is as if we are washing or cleansing our minds which in turn changes the way we think, the way we handle our emotions, and our will becomes His will.

We also have a third aspect of our being that we have to deal with — our body or also referred to as our flesh. We will always face problems and frustrations with our flesh no matter how long we stay in the Word. However, we have the power and the authority to overcome it! Our Spirit man should dominate our flesh.

You not only can do it, you must! Let the man on the inside rule. It is through your spirit that God will guide you and give you the power to control your soul and your body.

Let me give you an example:

Just this morning I woke up with a migraine. I laid there for a couple of hours because the pain was so bad that I didn’t want to move. I wanted my medicine but I didn’t want to move either. I heard Pastor Kempie moving around in the room and I asked him to get my medicine. Immediately the spirit inside me said, “You get up and get it.” Listen, my flesh wanted to remind my spirit how bad I felt, and explain exactly how bad it hurt. My flesh wanted to take the medicine that knocks me out so I can sleep for about 6 hours and wake up without a headache. The flesh wanted the easy way out.

But I let my spirit rule and not my flesh. I got up and took the medicine that usually takes over an hour to work and started getting dressed. I was determined to ignore my flesh and continue to get ready. The whole time I am praying in the spirit and reminding my body that it has to line up with the Word. That by the stripes of Jesus I am healed. My spirit ruled and my body responded!

Assignment:

Increase your time praying in the spirit.
Can you share a time where your spirit had to rule over your soul or your body?
What did you get out of this weeks reading? Post a comment in our Facebook Group this week!