Are You Living from Your Soul or Your Spirit?

Scripture foundation for living from the Spirit.  You are a spirit, you live in a body and you have a soul. "May your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus" (I Thessalonians 5:23). 

Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart".  

The Holy Spirit speaks through the Word. If we don't know the Word we we will not be able to hear from the Spirit. To be able to discern we need to know what is from our soul, what is from Satan and what is the voice of the Lord. We need to be grounded in the Word of God as this is our foundation. This is our sword that helps us live from the Spirit. 

We should be challenged by the word of God to live and be more like Jesus.   Galatians 2:20 “ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Colossians 3:1-4 “ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory".  

When it comes to pursuing God's plan and purposes for our life, we must trust the Lord for each step, to hear and obey and ask for wisdom if we need it. Let us be diligent to walk worthy of our calling. Ephesians 4:1: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  

When we make plans we must always include the Lord and ask for His plan and purpose: 

Proverbs 3:5–6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths". 

Psalm 94:18–19 "When I thought, "My foot slips," Your steadfast love, O LORD, helped me up. When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul". 

Proverbs 16:9 "A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps". 

James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you". 

Paul says this in Romans 7:15 “I don’t understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate”. This is the war in us - spirit and flesh warring against each other. But we are more than conquerors (Romans 8v37). 

We can overcome and live life in the Spirit. We need to fine tune our spirit to hear the voice of the Lord. Our emotions often get in the way of hearing that still small voice that guides us and counsels us.  

Partner with the Spirit of the Lord to grow your spirit and learn to let the Spirit in you rule your spirit, and your soul and body will submit to the Spirit also and you will receive all that the Lord has for you (Ephesians 1:3).

 The seven Spirits of the Lord manifested through the Holy Spirit - Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:1-3). We can partner with the Holy Spirit and receive all we need.