We are triune beings. We have a spirit, we have a soul, which consists of our mind, will and emotions, and we live in a body. To live a life where we effectively and consistently hear from God we need to get all these parts of our lives together. By that I mean we need to understand we are triune beings, and each area of our being; spirit, soul and body has a specific role to play in our faith walk, and us being able to clearly hear from God.
I read a fantastic thought by K. Copeland, which helped me understand just how our internal world is connected, and how important it is to bring everything together. We have to get all three parts in agreement before we can hear and see consistently and accurately what God is revealing to us.
1.We begin by feeding our spirit on the word of God. Just like the body produces physical strength when we nourish it with food, our spirit produces spiritual strength when we nourish it with God’s word. That spiritual strength is called faith. When we develop our faith, our spirit will remain in charge instead of being dominated by our soul and our bodies.
2.Next we bring our soul into line. We set our mind on things above (Colossians 3:1-2), and meditate, (think over) the word until our thoughts begin to agree with what God says. When we keep our attention on things above and God’s word our emotions, and thoughts will eventually get in line and yield to our spirit. Our minds and thoughts will be transformed by God’s word so that we are not led astray or confused because we are thinking on what God says.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
3. Finally we bring our bodies into line. When we truly get our spirit and soul established on the Word, this won’t be hard. Our body is a follower, not a leader. It will do whatever we train it to do. We begin by teaching our body to act on the truth we have planted in our mind and spirit and it will follow right along
To go the places that God wants to take us we must “get ourselves together” by bringing our spirit, soul and body into harmony with one another.
Then when the Holy spirit starts to reveal things to us, and when we step into heavenly places and start to see, hear and receive revelation we will be able to handle it.
When our soul – our mind isn’t in line, we will argue or just think it is all in our imagination. Our intellect will take over, and dictate to our spirit what God has revealed.
If our body isn’t brought into line then it will rise up and cause us to “lust” or hunger after that which we can see, smell, and touch. We may even see and hear from God on occasion, but we will be led by our flesh or body to do the things we don’t want to do, or what brings instant gratification, rather than lasting peace and joy. People can hear and even see amazing things from God, but if they have not brought their flesh under submission of their spirit, their soul and body will rule their life rather than their spirit.
The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit. That’s why our soul and body must be in agreement with the government of our spirit, to fully hear and see accurately from God.
Holy spirit speaks to our spirit and reveals mysteries, and the deep things of God. Then our spirit (which was born again – or as I say had the light switched on when we asked Jesus into our lives), translates that to our soul – our mind, will and emotions, bringing revelation straight from heaven.
That’s why the more Word we are taking into our life, the more receptive our spirits are to Holy Spirit. We can get dull of hearing if we harden our hearts through complacency, the desire for others things, sin, disobedience, or un-forgiveness.
Jesus said, ‘”You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” (Matt 13-14-16)
The more time we spend with God, in His presence, reading His word and seeking to follow His directions for our life, the more we will “get it together” and hear from Him.
“The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. “ (Psalm 32:8)
“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! (1 Thessalonians 5:23 The Message)
Prayer: Lord help me to get it together in my spirit, soul and body so that my life is in order, and I can know you more, and hear you speaking to me more clearly. In Jesus name Amen.