Gen 2:7 state that: “And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul”. In this verse we can see that God created man spirit, soul and body. The dust is the body, God breathed into us His breath which is the spirit and then we became a living soul.
In 1Th 5:23 we can also see that we consist of a spirit, soul and body: “And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Although these are individual parts they cannot function separately. This can be explain as followed:
Spirit: Before we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior our spirits was dead and on its way to eternal death (1Pe 4:6). The day that we accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our only Savior we became new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17); we become born again. The Holy Spirit lives in those who accepted Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). Also, our spirits become alive to God and we become a re-born child of our Heavenly Father who has the gift of eternal life. In our spirit we are new, sin free and holy before God. Our spirit also serves our soul and body.
Soul: Our soul consists of the mind that includes our thoughts and head knowledge; our emotions that developed out of experiences; our will that consist of our freedom of choice; our temperament that is inherited and our character. With your spirit being reborn, your soul is not automatically set free from all inherited sin, your psychological baggage of the past or your natural inclination to sin (1). Your soul needs to be renewed and changed according to the will of God. This transformation and sanctification is a lifelong process.
Body: After conception our bodies get formed. The body consists of flesh, bone and blood. The body is mortal and will decay. 1 Cor 6:19-20 states that after our spiritual birth our bodies becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Many people say that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior we do not need healing and deliverance because we are new. The truth is that when we are re-born our spirits do become new. Sometimes our bodies also get healed or even emotional or soul problems disappear. The Lord is so powerful and can do this. However, most of the time people still suffer with problems in their will, emotions and thoughts, even in their bodies. There could be many reason for this. One reason is that a new born person do not know God in His fullness yet and do not realise the character of God. Thus, such a person still have many faulty believes about God and him/herself.
Therefore, our souls and bodies need to come in line with what Jesus has done for us on the cross and what has happen in our spirit. Our thoughts, emotions and will need to change, and if there are any strongholds or bondages it needs to be broken in the Name of Jesus Christ.
This is why inner healing and deliverance is necessary but also a close walk with God and fellowship with Him by studying our Bibles and talking to Him through prayer. As we learn to know Him intimately we will also be changed in the likeness of Jesus Christ so we can become truly free and be all that God intended us to be.
John 8:32 say that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. This truth cannot only be head knowledge but the Holy Spirit must make it revelation knowledge in our lives so that we can live it out.
As you go through each section, please pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to you so that you can become truly free.
Reference:
1. Cloete, C. & Cloete, M. 2004. Emotional Healing and Deliverance through Prayer Therapy.
Jonanda Burger 