God’s desire is for us to be transformed into the image and likeness of His Son, Jesus. For many of us, this is a long and sometimes painful process. However, along the way, there will be evidence of true internal change. Some of these changes will be noticeable to others through our transformed lifestyle or the way we respond to situations. Many will be evident to us personally, as we recognize we are no longer in bondage to the things that once controlled or defined us.
Watchman Nee is his book, “Spiritual Man” describes how God has designed us. The book focuses on understanding the tripartite nature of human beings—spirit, soul, and body—and how they function in relation to God, self, and the world.
1. Tripartite Nature of Man
- Humanity is composed of three parts:
- Spirit: The innermost part that connects directly with God.
- Soul: The seat of emotions, intellect, and will.
- Body: The outer shell that interacts with the physical world.
- Understanding this structure is crucial for spiritual growth and victory over sin.
2. The Spirit’s Role
- The spirit enables direct communion with God. It includes:
- Conscience: Discerns right from wrong.
- Intuition: Direct, inner knowledge from God.
- Fellowship: Communion with God in the Spirit.
- A believer must cultivate a life where the spirit governs the soul and body.
3. The Soul’s Challenges
- The soul often struggles to yield to the spirit, becoming a battleground.
- It is prone to:
- Self-reliance: Trusting in intellect, emotions, or will over God.
- Distraction: Seeking satisfaction in worldly pursuits.
- The soul must be renewed and subjected to the spirit for spiritual maturity.
4. The Body’s Subjection
- The body, when unchecked, becomes a tool for sin.
- Believers are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) and not let sin reign in their mortal bodies (Romans 6:12).
Which part of you is ruling your life? Is it your body and its desire for pleasure and comfort? It is your soul where your thoughts, ideas, emotions, and will rule the day? Or is it your spirit man surrendered to the Holy Spirit staying calm under pressure?
It seems like our spirit man is in control when we have our quiet time or worship time. However, the true test is when we are under pressure, do we react and then regret it or do we respond?