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 Spirit, Body...and Will? |
Aaron Scott |
Paul spoke of the struggle we have within us between our flesh and spirit. Yet we believe we are three parts--body, SOUL, and spirit. So where is the soul in all of this? Is it just part of some collective "flesh"?
It came to me that something "referees" between the spirit and the flesh. We DECIDE which way we will go ("decide" may be too strong of a word in some cases; it might be more like we "just let go and go with the flow"). That is our WILL.
So, is the soul the will? Is that all of the soul...or, as we usually put it, does it also contain the emotions, etc.
Why wouldn't the emotions be part of the FLESH? They do seem awfully susceptible to temptation, etc.
The will, I think, must be the INTELLIGENCE--the thing that governs our direction, deciding whether we go with the flesh or not, etc.
What are your thoughts? |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6042
2/10/16 11:14 am
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Quiet Wyatt |
As usually defined, the soul consists of the mind, will and emotions. It seems to me that instead of a free will, what we actually have is a free mind, weighing alternatives and making decisions. Thus, the will is simply a faculty of the mind.
Emotions are neither sinful or holy, but are merely reactions to what the mind is presently contemplating. They can, when overly excited, certainly cloud good judgement and influence us to make sinful choices if we let them (for example, "getting carried away" or "losing your temper").
Living according to the flesh, or obeying the flesh, in the New Testament usage, is to obey its desires regardless of what your conscience and the Holy Spirit tells you. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 12817
2/10/16 12:34 pm
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bradfreeman |
The soul is the mind, the will and the emotions. The flesh doesn't produce emotion. It simply provides the soul with sensory information the soul interprets to produce emotions - pain, hunger, fatigue, pleasure.
The soul is the deciding factor in whether the flesh or spirit prevails.
Are we spiritually minded or fleshly minded?
_________________
I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!
My website: www.bradfreeman.com
My blog: http://bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/ |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 9027
2/10/16 1:49 pm
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| Brad...but upon what do you base that? |
Aaron Scott |
Yes, I know we've all HEARD that the soul is the emotions, etc. But, of course, from a materialists point of view, the mind, emotions, etc., are all contained in the body.
I know we're not materialists, but how have we deduced that the soul MUST be the emotions, etc.? Certainly, when Paul spoke of the struggles with the flesh, he was clearly speaking of not JUST the body, but the emotions, desires, etc. He considered all of these things to be part of "the flesh" or "the body," it seems.
Will is--or is certainly part and parcel of--intelligence. We decide which way to go based on our intelligence/will making a determination.
Indeed, QW, I think "free mind" is a better way to put "free will." |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6042
2/10/16 3:33 pm
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bradfreeman |
| Aaron Scott wrote: | Re: Brad...but upon what do you base that?
Yes, I know we've all HEARD that the soul is the emotions, etc. |
Psuche
the soul - the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)
_________________
I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!
My website: www.bradfreeman.com
My blog: http://bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/ |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 9027
2/13/16 8:31 am
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| Brad... |
Aaron Scott |
I presume that is the word from which psyche arises? But although that word was used as perhaps the best word, is that word fully accurate about the soul?
I am not being argumentative, but since Paul seemed to think that "the flesh" (which, admittedly, could be the combination of body and soul) was a term that meant all of those things:
(Galatians 5:24 KJV) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
It seems Paul is saying that the flesh HAS affections and lusts, and there is not some separate "soul" to which they belong.
Possible? |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6042
2/13/16 4:27 pm
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| Re: Brad... |
bradfreeman |
| Aaron Scott wrote: | I am not being argumentative, but since Paul seemed to think that "the flesh" (which, admittedly, could be the combination of body and soul) was a term that meant all of those things:
(Galatians 5:24 KJV) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
It seems Paul is saying that the flesh HAS affections and lusts, and there is not some separate "soul" to which they belong.
Possible? |
No problem. In Galatians 5, Paul is again describing the Romans 6:6, Romans 7:17, 20, Phil 3:3-9, Galatians 6:14, Col 2:11 effect that the cross had on who he is, compared to who he was.
The flesh certainly has affections and lusts. But thanks to the cross and the new birth, we are not in the flesh. Now the mind - our consciousness and that part of the tripartite us that receives sensory input from the flesh and truth from the spirit - become the battlefield from where the measure of our success in life is determined. Paul said it simpler here:
Rom. 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
Our flesh is composed of earth. It is of the earth, earthy. It is connected to, communicating with and returning to the earth. Here Paul describes our current condition (in the weakness of Adam/flesh) in contrast to the new body.
1 Cor. 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.
So, as those who are in Christ and as Christ is, we set our minds on Him.
Col. 3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
We simply decide where our minds are "set" - on things above or on thing on earth. Where our minds are set does not change our position in Christ, it simple changes our condition on earth. We can be and are simultaneously hidden with Christ in God and need to put off the deeds and desires of our body.
Col. 3:6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Even though we have put on the new self, there is a renewing taking place of our "knowledge" or what we know. We are setting our minds on our new self, who our new self is and where our new self is. It is "a renewal" that no longer judges anyone according to the flesh - whether he is a Jew or Greek, etc. It is a mind set on the spirit and things above.
Rom. 5:19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
As believers, we are not the "sons of disobedience" (in Adam - the disobedient one). We are the sons of obedience (in Christ - the obedient One). We are not "in Adam". We are "in Christ".
Going back to 1 Cor. 15:
1 Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Our faith (are we putting our confidence in the flesh/Adam or in the Spirit/Christ) determines whether we live or die.
_________________
I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!
My website: www.bradfreeman.com
My blog: http://bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/ |
Acts-dicted
Posts: 9027
2/14/16 8:12 am
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Old Time Country Preacher |
| Could you fellers move beyond Strong's First Grade Concordance and cite some a the linguistic Big Boys? |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
2/14/16 1:42 pm
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