Spirit, Soul and Body- Part 4
Matthew 22:34-40 [NKJV], But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees with His reply, they met together to question Him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap Him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
“Are you aware that our desire and reality can be two different things?”
Matthew 22:37 [NKJV], “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”
The size of the gap that lies in between our desire to love and our reality is ultimately determined by the condition of our souls.
If our souls haven’t been renewed by the Word of God, we will struggle with filtering each moment in our lives through all of the pain, hurt, wounds, disappointments and shame of our YESTERDAYS.
“What is the condition of your soul?”
Acts 8:4-19 [NLT], But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city. 9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. 10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” 11 They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic. 12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed. 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
“Every person is who they are for a reason.”
Acts 8:20-23 [NLT], But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”
Self-awareness begins when we can start to identify where our “soul wounds” entered into our lives.
1. Self-Inflicted Wounds
-lack of forgiveness
-gossip & slander
-complaining & divisiveness
-jealousy & envy
-idolizing things & people
-drug use & drunkenness
-pornography & sexual sins
2. Choices of Another
-sexual, verbal or physical abuse
-rejection, betrayal or abandonment
-adultery
-parental neglect or emotional detachment
-unjust treatment by authority
3. Traumatic Events
-death
-divorce
-accident
-abortion
-miscarriage
-poverty
Signs we are operating from “soul wounds”…
-relive negative events
-the “sky is falling” mentality
-can’t “move on” from a past relationship
-obsessive
-insecure & inferior feelings
-harbor offense and bitterness
-unhealthy mood swings
-negative & cynical attitude
-depression
-fear & anxiety
-overreact when inconvenienced
-overspend or hoarding tendencies
-overeat as a way of escape
-addiction
-incorrect view of God
-base relationships off of feelings
-struggle with surrender & obedience
-impatient, mean & rough
-intimidate, manipulate, bully & control
-relational conflict due to a lack of trust, vulnerability and intimacy
-envy & jealousy
-divisive & strife
-identity issues
“What is the condition of your soul?”
3 John 2 [NASB], Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.