June 25, 2024
Every man or woman has three parts. We all have physical bodies (the outer part) with which we relate to the world. We have an inner part, our soul, comprised of our mind, emotions, and will. This is the part of us that thinks, feels, and decides. In the innermost part is our spirit. The Bible says our spirit is part of us but dead and lifeless until we come into a relationship with Christ, who comes to live in us and regenerates (brings to life) our spirit.
THE PROBLEM WITH OUR SOUL
Our soul is not wholly and instantly changed when we come to Christ. Our mind is unrenewed, our emotions untamed, and our wills are unbroken. Through the development of each day, as we let the Lord in us change us, our minds are more and more renewed, our emotions tamed, and our will becomes increasingly broken and surrendered to the will of God. The soul moves from being a hindrance to the Christ within us into a great channel through which He flows.
If we’re not careful, our souls can pull us away from intimacy with Christ and drive our lives. We can live soulish, carnal (fleshly) lives even though Christ is in us. This is the source of all our difficulties in the Christian life.
PUTTING OUR SOUL IN PLACE
So, how do we handle our souls? The sweet Psalmist, David, knew what to do, learned over years of experience.
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust. Do not let me be ashamed. Do not let my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed. (Psalm 25:1-3)
LIFT YOUR SOUL UP
Our natural posture is to look away from God. We are drawn away and distracted by all the busyness and baubles of the world. We get lured into sin and weighed down by the worries of this world and its deceitful ways. David knew he must lift his mind, emotions, and will (his soul) up to look to God alone. He must continually move from a horizontal to a vertical gaze.
Paul later told us to “set our minds on things above where Christ is” (Colossians 3:1-2). To " fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-3). Corrie Ten Boom said, “If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God, you'll be at rest.”
LAY YOUR SOUL DOWN
But as we lift our soul UP to Him, we must lay our soul DOWN in Him in trust. We relax in dependency upon the One who is the “shepherd and guardian of our soul” (1 Peter 2:25). He will care for us, guide us, and empower us. There is no safer, better place to be. Our rightful home is at rest in Him.
We can command our souls (instead of immaturely letting them direct us.) “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” the Psalmist directed, and his soul complied. Those who lift their souls up to God and lay their souls down in Him will never be disappointed.
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