Spirit, Soul, Body = Man
1 Thessalonians 5: 23 (NKJV)
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 23 (NKJV)
It’s truly amazing how we try to compartmentalise our existence. The Word of God, in Genesis, clearly describes who man is and who created him. The spirit of man cannot be seen because it is entrenched on the inside of the body. That part of man is the real YOU and cannot be destroyed. However, we cannot separate one part from the other. They are interconnected and affect each other on a daily basis.
God desires that our spirit, soul, and body remain healthy. It has been discovered, for example, that:
a) unforgiveness, which originates in the soul, could affect the health of your body
b) an unhealthy body could cause one’s spirit to be downcast, and
c) an unhealthy soul can cause the mind to harbour unhealthy thoughts that could affect one’s spirit and body.
Proverbs 3:7-8 (NKJV) says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.” We are admonished here to remember that we do not have all the answers and that God knows everything about us. We make unwise decisions on a regular basis, thus, it is always wise to seek counsel whenever our body sends negative signals. Proverbs 9:10a reminds us that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”. This fear reminds us that God has all the answers.
Adopting a positive attitude, and positive mindset is crucial to a healthy life. Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” – (NKJV). We may never have taken strong drinks, but we certainly know of the effects of indulging in this practice. Many have become addicted and the results are not pleasant to witness. Numerous illnesses have been attributed to the consumption of intoxicating drinks. “Therefore whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31.
As we strive to live healthy lives, let us be intentional to think right, do right, eat and drink right, and exercise so that our lives would bring glory and honour to God.
Prayer
Lord, today we are reminded that our bodies are not our own. We are bought with a price and our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Help us to understand the significance of this temple. This temple must be one of prayer and praise. As we commit our lives to You, God, teach us to be wise stewards. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 7: 22-23; 1 Corinthians 6:19
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 26:13-22; Hebrews 2; Obadiah 1
