Continuing, we will look a little deeper at the soulish versus the spiritual aspects of our lives after our conversion. Many fail to make any distinction between our spirit and soul, viewing them as interchangeable. Scripture doesn’t view them that way. If we have become converted or born again, then we have partaken of the life of Christ, the tree of life. While I firmly believe that the two trees in the garden were literal trees, I also believe the tree of life represents Jesus. We see this in the imagery in Revelation.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)
2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2 (NKJV)
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14 (NKJV)
Methodius, Bishop of Olympus in the early fourth century saw the tree of life here as representing Christ, as does the present Lexham Bible Dictionary,
TREE OF LIFE (הַחַיִּים עֵץ, hachayyim ets; ξύλον ζωής, xylon zōēs). A tree that represents immortality, divine presence, wisdom, and righteousness as a path of life and an eschatological promise.
If we think this through, Christ is the source of life both now and in eternity. He created all things and He sustains us. The choice we have in this life is whether we learn to daily lean into and draw from Him. This is where spirit and soul take on their importance.
Like many important truths this one is hidden in plain site. It simply requires digging into and understanding scripture. We start with walking by the Spirit, which is of course drawing on Jesus.
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18 (NKJV)
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (NKJV)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14 (NKJV)
When we take these verses seriously, it leads us to learning how to lean into and depend on the Spirit. The scriptures teach that we have both a spirit and soul and that they do not have the same function. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 shows that we have both a spirit and soul and Hebrews 4:12 shows that they have different functions. Even those who have not been born again have a spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11, Proverbs 20:27, James 2:26) though the Lord is not dwelling in it (1 Corinthians 6:17). God has a soul as well (Leviticus 26:11, 30, Jeremiah 6:8, 12:7, Zechariah 11:8) but His essence is spiritual (John 4:24).
Now to functions. With our spirit we can contact the Lord as Isaiah 26:9, Luke 1:46-47 and 1 Corinthians 2:12 teach. Although most translations do not have a difference in tense when referring to the functions of soul and spirit in the Isaiah and Luke passages, the difference is there in Hebrew and Greek. The lack of difference in most translations reflects the theology of the translators, not the teaching of scripture. The difference in Hebrew and Greek is brought out in the KJV, NASB, NKJV, LEB and interlinear translations.
In the Isaiah and Luke passages we see that Isaiah knew that no matter how much he desired God with his soul he was only going to contact Him via his spirit. Similarly, Mary’s soul magnified the Lord only after her spirit had encountered Him and rejoiced in Him. This is not a matter of splitting theological hairs. It is a matter of utmost importance because we in the church so easily follow after the things of the soul believing them to be spiritual. We need to understand what our soul is if we are to not be deceived into believing ourselves to be spiritual when we are merely soulish.
Most of those who recognize the distinction between soul and spirit view the soul as the mind will and emotions. This seems to fit with scripture with the soul as simply our natural ability to think, feel, choose and interact with others. In short, the natural man (literally soulish in Greek, it is the adjective form of the Greek word for soul) of 1 Corinthians 2:14.
If we think we can lean on the abilities of our soul once we are converted we need to read Matthew 26:38, Mark 14:34 and John 12:27. Here we find Christ very aware that His soul desired to draw back from the will of His Father. He had to choose to be led by the Spirit.
Practically, the difference between being led by the soul or the Spirit is that if we are responding out of, and first depending on, our mind, will or emotions, (the natural man) to lead we are open to deception and this is where counterfeit spirituality enters in. Many of the mystics down through the centuries had incredible experiences while leaning on their emotions and intellects but their experiences were contrary to scripture. Similarly, many down through the centuries have trusted in the intellect and ended up persecuting God’s people. Depending on and functioning out of the abilities of the natural man is in fact a major gateway of hell into the church (Matthew 16:18).
We can only follow our mind, will or emotions when they are in agreement with and in submission to our spirit joined to His Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). In practice the relationship between soul and spirit is a bit like that between a parent and child. The child is free to choose within prescribed limits or rules. However, the child needs to be attentive for the voice of the parent and if the parent speaks the child has to choose whether or not to obey. Just so the soul is free to choose within the guidelines of the written word, but when the spirit moves or leads our soul has to choose whether or not to obey. Spiritual believers obey, while the carnal do not, or they do so with mixed motives.
A scriptural example of walking in freedom and then responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit is seen in Acts 16:6-10. Here Paul and the rest of his apostolic team were travelling and fulfilling the call on Paul’s life (Acts 26:16-18). At this point Paul was trying to go where he thought best because he had no clear direction from the Spirit. His soul was free to choose. As He followed his commission the Lord intervened and gave new direction. The result was that a whole new area was opened to the gospel.
I am not suggesting all or any of us will do something this dramatic by paying attention to the leading of His Spirit in our spirit. I am saying that it is how we are called to walk as believers. We know He has called us to prayer, worship, His word, godly relationships and to be salt and light. As we choose to walk this way, we simply need to be sensitive and attentive to His direction in our day to day lives and depend on His leading instead of our natural wisdom.
When we do life this way, we are both walking in the Spirit and continuously partaking of the tree of life!