Trinity Concepts (2.15) Man's Excuses

Land (Political, Pride of Life)

Work (Economic, Lust of the Eyes)

Family (Social, Lust of the Flesh)

Jesus gave a parable, in Luke 14:16-20, of a man who gave a big dinner, inviting many to come.  They began to make excuses, however, as to why they could not attend.  This is an illustration of three kinds of people who make decisions not to follow Jesus and the Kingdom of God.  Each of these excuses falls in line with a Trinity pattern category. 

Excuse #1: “I have bought a piece of land.”  This correlates to the Political category of Man’s Soul (society), as well as the Pride of Life category of Man’s Flesh (temptations).  “Their inner thought is, that their houses are forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they have called their lands after their own names.  But man in his pomp (honor) will not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.” (Ps. 49:11-12) 

Excuse #2: “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out.”  This correlates to the Economic category of Man’s Soul (society), and also the Lust of the Eyes category of Man’s Flesh (temptations).  Plowing a field to produce a crop harvest meant money and provision.  In an agrarian society oxen were highly valued, as they brought much increase (financial gain).  “Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of the ox.” (Prov. 14:4) 

Excuse #3: “I have married a wife.” This correlates to the Social category of Man’s Soul (society), as well as the Lust of the Flesh category of Man’s Flesh (temptations).  “One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided.” (I Cor. 7:32-33) 

Regarding excuse #1: It is not wrong to have a name, dominion and authority on the earth.  “A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold.” (Prov. 22:1)

Regarding excuses #2 and #3: It is not wrong to be financially prosperous, or to have a wife, family and social well-being.  “Jesus said, ‘Truly I say to you there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and the Gospel’s sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first, will be last; and the last, first. (Mk. 10:29-31) 

Conclusion:  It is not about having any of these things, but rather about priority in our lives.  “Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’  For all these things the Gentiles (nations) eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6:31-33)  Many people miss out on the wonderful ‘feast’ God has prepared for our lives because they are preoccupied with life’s competing desires.  When we seek the first thing: God in our lives, then all the rest will be abundantly supplied.

Trinity Concepts (2.08) Man's Economies

Sowing

Reciprocity

Selfishness

Every community has different levels of sacrificial giving.  Some people give lavishly, some miserly.  There are those, as well, who only take from the community, without making any contribution whatsoever.

Every community has a means of exchange in play.  Money is a futile man-made attempt at assigning value to the process of exchange that is happening in a community, a material show of the giving and receiving that is taking place in relationships.

“A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold.” (Prov. 22:21)  Why is favor better than silver and gold?  Because, among other more noble things, favor produces silver and gold.  Relationships, and value given in and through those relationships, are the functioning of economy in community.

There are basically three levels of ‘economy’ in a community: 1) The economy of the flesh, 2) The economy of reciprocity and 3) The economy of sowing. 

The 1st and lowest economy is the economy of the flesh, or “sowing to the flesh”. (Gal. 6:8)  It is simply selfishness.

“There is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want.” (Prov. 11:24)

“He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.” (Prov. 11:26)  Withholding the grain is selfish, but releasing it into commerce is better.

The 2nd Economy, that of reciprocity and social commerce, is akin to Phileo love: “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.”  It has the Law as its foundation.  “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” (Prov. 11:1)   God loves proper reciprocity.  His Law is holy, righteous and good. (Rom. 7:12)  

The problem, however, is that due to natural man’s selfish nature, it is impossible for him to create that ‘just balance’ in relationships or money without failure in some way.  This is where the power of forgiveness comes in.  Without forgiveness, all relationships and economy among people will fail miserably.  Forgiveness is part of the highest 3rd Economy, because it is given willingly, for no deserving reason.

“…mercy triumphs over justice.” (Js. 2:13b)

The Law says, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”, equal recompense, but the higher law, the law of liberty, says, “I desire compassion and not sacrifice” (Matt. 9:13).

The ‘engine’ of human relationships and economy in community can only function without burning up, by adding the oil, the lubricant that comes from the 3rd Economy, which is that of unconditional love, forgiveness and willing sacrifice.

Jesus taught that when a seed falls into the ground, it dies, being completely released from human control, placed into God’s hands.  This is reflective of the 3rd Economy, the economy of sowing.

“The Kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows- how, he himself does not know…” (Mk. 4:26)

This seed, however, does not operate by reciprocity “an eye for an eye”, but rather by multiplication.  God is the One Who raises the seed up, causing its growth and multiplication.  This is the origin of life: releasing control of the harvest (expecting someone else to repay you) and giving, releasing the seed into God’s hands, forgiving the wrong, forgiving the imbalance.  This produces the multiplied harvest of the highest 3rd Economy, the economy of the Spirit.

“For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.  And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Gal. 6:7-10)

The origin of all sacrificial giving and forgiveness is love: “God is love.” (I Jn. 4:16)  Man cannot forgive in and of himself, apart from God, and he must respond to God’s forgiveness for himself before he can then turn and forgive others.  “…he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Lk. 7:47)  The reciprocal of that would also be true, then.  ‘He who is forgiven much, loves much.’  The more of God’s love and mercy we receive, the more we are able to give.  As we are connected to the ‘vine’ of God’s forgiveness, love, and mercy for our own lives, the ‘fruit’ that is produced through our lives begins to manifest, and that fruit expands into the lives of those around us, creating in and through our lives a manifestation of God’s grace toward others. 

The multiplication of grace that flows out of our lives toward others, not only gives them a ‘just balance’, but even more that that.  This manifestation of the 3rd Economy (or highest economy) thus establishes and expands the 2nd Economy.  “Do we then nullify the Law through faith?  May it never be!  On the contrary, we establish the Law.”  (Rom. 3:31)  The 3rd and highest economy of love and forgiveness establishes the 2nd Economy and goes way beyond it.  “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace…against such things there is no law.” (Gal. 5:23)  Mercy will always triumph over judgment!

This process of forgiveness is like the model of kinetic energy, as several metallic balls are suspended by a wire on a frame.  When a person lifts the end ball, letting it strike the ball nearest to it, the energy then transfers through the other metal balls, causing the last ball to jump.  The energy was transmitted from the first, initial act, to the last, and the last ball responded in like manner.  The natural response to God’s love and forgiveness for our own lives is to, in response, allow that same energy to move us to do the same for others. 

So what happens if we receive God’s love for ourselves but do not allow it to pass through our lives to the forgiveness of others?  Jesus told a parable of a servant who was forgiven a great debt, but then would not in like manner forgive a smaller debt that was owed him.  This man was handed to the tormentors.  (Matt. 18:21-35)  When we inhibit the love of God from flowing freely through us to the benefit of others it only brings frustration and despair upon our own lives.  All it takes is a simple choice, however, to unblock this necessary flow.

The conclusion of this exposition of three economies is that we should overcome the course of the natural world by choosing to forgive when confronted by inequity, sowing it into the hands God.  When we choose to do this, we set our lives up to reap a multiplied harvest.  Living a life on purpose to give and to forgive is the highest means of exchange.  “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)

“But if you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor (grace) with God.” (I Pet. 2:20)

There will undoubtedly be times of misunderstanding, suffering and hardship for one who is laying down his life in the service of others in God’s Kingdom Community.  The only way to stay the course is to routinely exercise the love and forgiveness of God toward others.  It is the foundation of the Christian faith, and it is the only sure road to a prosperous and successful life: spirit, soul and body.

Trinity Concepts (2.02) Man's Soul (basic)

Will

Mind

Emotions

The human soul reflects the nature of God Himself: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, correlating to the will, the mind and the emotions, respectively. 

God, the Father, is sovereign in His decisions, and yet He has placed in the being of every individual a measure of His sovereignty.  The human will’s choices ultimately create the world in which he will exist.  As it is surrounded by various stimuli, from that which the Mind has learned or what the Emotions are feeling, the Will can select from these stimuli which impulses it will act upon or reject.  The Will chooses to seek after knowledge and wisdom, or to reject these, following after less noble purposes.  Whatever decisions are acted upon ultimately produce the results, whether good or evil, of those choices.  “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.” (Deut. 30:19)

The Mind is a storehouse of what is remembered, that which can be drawn upon to inspire or to discourage.  Filling this storehouse with positive information gives the individual fuel for success, whereas filling it with meaningless and useless information leads the individual to unproductivity and bewilderment.  “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.  The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil.” (Matt. 12:34-37) “Therefore very scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matt. 13:52)  

Our Will can not only choose to acquire positive information, but it can also accentuate the positive information which already exists in its ‘storehouse’, amplifying it, meditating upon it.  “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” (Phil. 4:8) 

The Mind correlates to the Word, Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:1), as He is the message of Truth to humanity (Heb. 1:1-2), the Light of the world (Jn. 8:12), “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3), the entrance of His Word bringing light. (Ps. 119:130; Ps. 36:9)

The Emotions of the soul correlate to the Holy Spirit of God.  The emotions are closest to the natural realm, sensing and feeling what is surrounding the individual.  The Holy Spirit of God likewise is here in this realm with us, as Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you.” (Jn. 14:16-17)  “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’  But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.  But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (Jn. 16:5-7)

Many people mistake their Emotions with the Spirit of God, since they are categorically in the same line; however, these should not be confused.  Our human emotions are fickle, easily influenced by the world around us, whether by positive or negative circumstances.  A mature believer is aware of his emotions, yet not moved by them.  Rather, he expresses his convictions through the emotions, thereby causing the emotions to come in line with the thoughts of his Mind and the decisions of his Will.  His emotions become an expression of his inner convictions, an outward display of his inner man.  Emotions can be a powerful influence to the circumstances surrounding the individual, and becomes a conduit to the outer world of the power released from the Mind and Will.

Emotions should be used to influence the world rather than becoming an instigator from the world of sedition against the convictions of the Mind and Will.  “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” (Prov. 16:32)

Trinity Concepts (2.07) Man's Soul (society)

Political

Economic

Social

The Trinity pattern for man’s society follows the same pattern for the Soul of Man (Will, Mind and Emotions). 

As society is simply a number of individual people, each having their own unique personality temperaments, it stands to reason that the elements of a society are comprised of these same characteristics, with people of similar characteristics gathering in macro-scaled relationships.

The Political realm, based upon conquest through war, law-making and law-enforcement is established by leaders who are generally Choleric in personality (see Man’s Soul, Personalities).  This personality temperament centers in the Will of Man.  The Political realm of society gives it structure and form, much like the bones and muscles do for the human body through the formation and systems of the Mesoderm (see Man’s Body). 

The Economic realm deals with the calculation of perceived value.  It correlates to the Mind of man and the Melancholic personality.  The Bible, in the following passages below, relates man’s “eye” to his mind, which further validates that Melancholic personality temperaments learn best through Visual means (see Man’s Soul, Styles of Learning).  The physical analogy to the human body is that of the Ectoderm, which is the formation and systems of the brain and nerves.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear (lit. healthy), your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!  No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt. 6:19-24)

“Take what is yours and go your way, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.  Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own?  Or is your eye envious because I am generous?” (Matt. 20:14-15)

The Social realm deals with the inter-relationships of people.  The Sanguine personality is highly successful in these interpersonal connections.  This temperament is centered in the human Emotions and correlates to the Endoderm formation and systems of the human body.  The ‘felt meaning’ of societal communication and relationships is conveyed through the arts and various societal organizations in culture.  The Social realm is highly volatile, as the emotions rise and fall: fear or courage, joy or gloom.  These feelings can have wide dispersion throughout societies and nations, influencing both economic trends and political ideologies.

Although the Social realm has a great deal of influence, it is held in check by the boundaries of the Political realm and the disciplines of the Economic realm.

The priority of the three functions of society starts with the Governmental, for there can be no society without initial conquest together with the establishment and maintenance of boundaries.  Secondly, the Economic realm’s analysis of information and endeavoring to maintain a just balance of exchange leans to the Government to uphold its standards, while, at the same time balancing against the Social realm’s emotional pull.   The Social realm endeavors to influence the government, petitioning to express its ever-varying ideologies based in emotionalism, and the Government woos the Social realm much like a man tries to charm his way into a woman’s heart to gain her allegiance.  The Economic and Social realms are polarized from one another, frequently frustrated with the stark differences.  At times, the only way the two can work together is through the intervention found in the Political realm, which stands between them.

Unfortunately, due to the human condition, all of these are subject to gross failures.  The Political realm’s willful disobedience to God’s standards, the Economic realm’s immense greed and the Social realm’s prostitution to gain acceptance one day will all be turned on their heads by the appearance of God’s Kingdom which, by contrast, is completely just, freely giving and joyfully complete.  “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 14:17) (see Man’s Flesh, Temptations)

God’s Righteousness replaces man’s failed government and willful disobedience to His standards of justice.  His Peace (completeness, wholeness) replaces man’s failed economy of selfishness, and His Joy replaces man’s failed societal prostitution and clamoring for acceptance.

Trinity Concepts (1.12) The Tabernacle of Moses

Holy of Holies

Inner Court

Outer Court

Spirit

Soul

Body

“Now if He (Jesus) were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according the Law; who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for “See” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” (Heb. 8:4-5)

Moses’ Tabernacle, according to this passage, was a “copy and shadow” of things in heaven.  It was a picture of something more profound than the simple elements from which it was made.

“The Jews therefore answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, seeing that You do these things?”  Jesus answered and said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”  But He was speaking of the temple of His body.” (Jn. 2:18-21)  In this passage, Jesus analogized the temple to His body.

The Apostle Paul echoes this idea, regarding those who are united to Jesus through faith.  “Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (I Cor. 3:16)  “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?  But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” (I Cor. 6:15,17)

There is a definite pattern of correlation between the Tabernacle and the Human Being.  The Tabernacle is three parts: 1) The Outer Court, 2) The Inner Court, and 3) The Holy of Holies.

The Apostle Paul shows man as tripartite, as well, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thess. 5:23)  Paul shows man as: 1) Body, 2) Soul, and 3) Spirit.

In comparing the Tabernacle to the Human Being, it becomes evident that the Spirit of Man correlates to the Holy of Holies, the Soul of Man correlates to the Inner Court, and the Body of Man correlates to the Outer Court.

It is even more interesting to note that the Inner Court of the Tabernacle held three distinct objects: 1) The Bread of the Presence Table, 2) The Seven-lamped Menorah, and 3) The Altar of Incense.

As the Inner Court correlates to the Soul of Man, each of these three things also correlates to a specific aspect of the Human Soul.  The Old Testament’s definition of man’s heart (Heb. ‘leb’) is consistent with the three attributes of man’s Mind, Will and Emotions.

The Mind correlates to the Lamp-stand, being illumined with understanding.  The Emotions correlate to the Bread, giving sustenance to the emotion-endoderm relationship (see Trinity Concepts: Food Groups).  The Will correlates to the Altar of Incense, as an obedient will through prayer is as a fragrant aroma to the Father. (see Trinity Concepts: Christian Activity)

The Holy of Holies correlates to Man’s Spirit, as this is where God’s Presence dwells in the inner man of the believer.  “The one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” (I Cor. 6:17)   The Outer Court correlates to Man’s Body, as it is openly visible in the natural realm.

When Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross and cried out, "It is finished!", the veil that divided the Holy of Holies from the Inner Court of the temple was torn, indicating that God’s Presence would no longer inhabit the Tabernacle made by man’s hands.  Rather, He would now, as of the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), live in the very bodies of those who are united to Christ through faith.  “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His.”” (2 Tim. 2:19)  “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (I Pet. 2:5)

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” (I Cor. 6:19-20)

The Tabernacle is a simple picture of Who Christ is, and who we are in Him, inhabited by God Himself, illumined by His light, refreshed by His sustenance, fragrant with His motivation to be a blessing and benefit to the whole earth.

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (2.12) Functions of Music and Arts in Society

Prophetic

Worship/ Exaltation

Performance

The three main functions of music and the arts in culture are: Performance, Exaltation and Prophetic.

Performance is given from man to man.  This is centered on man’s skill and social acceptance.  It is beneficial in our society to create a sense of ‘community’, in which there is commonality of experience.  This kind of activity produces a ‘foundation’ for social interaction and opens a doorway of communication through this commonality for dialogue.  It is interesting that in youth cultures this is particularly needful, as young people are endeavoring to establish relationships beyond their own home, gravitating towards music and art that will identify them among their own unique generation, geographical location and philosophy.

Exaltation is a different use of music and the arts, in that it is not directed towards man, but rather towards an object of worship.  Music and the arts are successful tools in ‘exalting’ whatever they point towards.  It can be anything from the banal to the sublime.  It can be used to exalt “Coca-Cola” or the Most High God.

Prophetic is neither art for man, nor exaltation, but something different altogether.  Prophetic music and art is rather God speaking through the art-form to an individual or society.  It is not contrived, originated or initiated from man’s imagination or choosing, but rather by divine intervention.  The artist yields himself to the inspiration of God, bringing forth a particular message relevant to the culture, but not necessarily always accepted by that culture. 

(for more on this, see The Three Main Uses of Music and the Arts)

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)



Trinity Concepts (2.11) Food Groups

Proteins

Fats

Carbohydrates

I am neither a scientist nor a nutritionist, but following are some interesting patterns and relationships that I have found to be compelling.

There are three main groups of foods that we consume, and each of them has a specific role and function in the health of our bodies.  They also categorically relate to embryology, the three main parts of our bodies: Mesoderm, Endoderm and Ectoderm. (see Man’s Body)

Proteins are the building blocks for our bodies, relating predominantly to our structural Mesoderm.  Carbohydrates give us energy, relating to our Endoderm system.  Fats (those that are good and beneficial) relate to our Ectoderm system.

The proper balance of each of these groups in relationship to one another, as well as to our unique individual physical make-up is critical for proper health.  For example, those who have a predominantly Endoderm type of body do not need more Carbohydrates, since they are already strong in this area.  As they lean in that direction, it may ultimately produce obesity in their bodies.  They would be better benefited by consuming more proteins and good fats than too many carbohydrates.

It is evident that those who are endeavoring to build their muscular physique will need a proper amount of protein for the re-building process to take place successfully.

Is it coincidental that those we consider to be the most intelligent people around the globe have a diet rich in the ‘good’ oils (which come from fish and other healthy sources)?  The consumption of ‘good’ fats relates to the successful functioning of the Ectoderm system.

What is even more interesting to see is the correlation between our human soul (mind, will and emotions) to the functioning of our bodies and our diets.

The Bible is clear about the impact our thoughts and emotions have on our physical well-being.  “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” (III Jn. 2)  

The categorical relationship of the functions of our soul, as it relates to our bodies and our nutritional needs, is as follows:

Man’s Soul:

Will

Mind

Emotions

Man’s Body:

Mesoderm

Ectoderm

Endoderm

Nutritional needs:

Proteins

Fats

Carbohydrates

Generally speaking, we need carbohydrates most, then a less amount of proteins, then finally a smaller proportion of fats. 

I find it interesting, in correlating the soul to primary colors (Mind/Blue, Will/Yellow, Emotions/Red), that the smallest frequency is Blue, while the largest wavelength is Red.  The progression of small to large, starting from the Mind, to the Will, and finally to the Emotions seems to correlate to the proportional amounts of Fats, Proteins and Carbohydrates our bodies require.

The diagram is as follows:

Man's Soul:

Will

Mind

Emotions

Color:

Yellow

Blue

Red

Nutritional needs:

Proteins

Fats

Carbohydrates

As stated above, certain people have bodies that lean in one direction or another, so a ‘balanced diet’ will be unique to each individual.

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (3.01) devil's attributes

Accuser

Deceiver

Tempter

Will

Mind

Emotions

Pride of Life

Lust of the Eyes

Lust of the Flesh

These three attributes of the devil fall in line with the three aspects of the human soul: the will, mind and emotions, as well as the three aspects of man's susceptibility to temptations in his fleshly appetites. (See Man's Flesh, Temptations)

The Will

He makes accusation against the righteous, those who have made right choices in living a life of faith.  Believers who, in the will of their soul, have made a decision to trust and obey God’s best for their lives, are accused by the enemy through people as being ‘holier than thou’.  They are ridiculed, mocked and persecuted, sometimes in veiled hostility and sometimes in open vehemence.  The tactic here is to get the steadfast to compromise.  If one who is righteous (in Christ, not in human performance) accepts the devil’s accusation as ‘truth’, it will lead him to compromise what is really  true in his life.  However, if the upright remains steadfast in his conviction, unmoved by the accusation, he will ultimately come out of the heat victoriously.  If he stays strong, the persecution, lies and ridicule that he endures will only serve to make him stronger. 

God has given a part of Himself (the Only Sovereign) into our wills (which are also sovereign).  Ultimately, the choice to stand strong belongs to the individual.  Choices, however, are empowered by right thinking and balanced emotions.  Right thinking comes under attack through deception, while balanced emotions come under siege through temptation.  A successful will is under-girded by a successful mind and successful emotions.

The Mind

The devil uses deception to come against the mind of the believer.  The only shield against this tactic is the Word of God.  Notice that Jesus, the Word of God, is categorically (by Trinity pattern) in the same line as the mind of the soul.  When we put God’s Word into our minds, we become immune to the deceptions of the enemy.  The power to withstand deception is not within the natural human condition.  The only way out of it is through God’s supernatural influence.  It could come by a revelation of God’s love and grace in an individual’s life through people or through the inspirational truths seen throughout God’s creation, but ultimately, the clearest exposé of truth is found in Scripture.  What a gift it is to have thousands of years of documented supernatural revelation of God’s dealings with humanity!

When a believer meditates (lit. thinks upon, revolves in his mind like a cow chewing the cud) the truths found in Scripture, he immunizes himself against the deceptions of the devil.  The bait the enemy uses is to get us to come to a place in our lives in which we believe that within our own insight and capability we have the power to see life as it truly is.  Metaphorically, it would be a lot like taking a walk in uncharted territories, thinking that you know what’s coming, when getting up in a helicopter would really let you know for sure! 

Gaining a higher perspective is what will shield from deception.  When we are in the midst of battle, involved only in that which is ‘up close’, we have a tendency to lose perspective.  Only when we gain objectivity, can we truly evade the tactic of the enemy’s deception.  The influence of God’s thoughts in our lives does exactly that.  It brings us the objectivity to view life as He sees it from a heavenly (outside of time and natural space) point of reference.

The Emotions

Temptation relates to the emotions of the soul, as temptation draws upon the physical ‘hungers’ of the human body.  The emotions are closely related to the body’s natural hungers and desires.  Temptation endeavors to hi-jack the wholesome desires of procreation, obtaining food for sustenance, and defense against natural attacks, to pervert them.  The ability to procreate through the establishment of family, when it is perverted, becomes fornication and adultery.  The ability to obtain food for sustenance, when perverted, becomes gluttony and dissipation.  The ability to defend one’s self against attacks, when it is perverted, becomes uncontrolled rage and murder.  The emotions that come from these activities, through chemical releases happening within our bodies, whether it be of sexual pleasures, satisfied hunger or released adrenaline in a ‘fight or flight’ situation, originally are by God’s design for our benefit and preservation.  Temptation, however, brings an overly-focused imbalance of these things in our lives.

There is a remedy, however.  The Spirit of God (which is categorically in line with the human emotions in Trinity pattern) can bring a greater fulfillment than that which comes from the natural realm.  The Scripture admonishes “do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:19)  The Spirit of God not only replaces the temptations of imbalance and perversion, but actually goes way beyond in satisfying the human soul.  

Conclusion

The will of the believer, staying steadfast upon righteousness, as it is under-girded by a mind immersed in the Word of God and emotions that are saturated by the Holy Spirit becomes an impenetrable shield against “all the flaming missiles of the evil one.” (Eph. 6:16)

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (1.05) Godly Characteristics

Justice

Faithfulness

Mercy

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness…” (Matt. 23:23)

We see in this passage of Scripture an interesting Trinity pattern of: 1) Justice, 2) Faithfulness, and 3) Mercy.  This lines up categorically to the Trinity attributes of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, respectively.

The Father, though depicted by Jesus and other New Testament voices as a loving father (Abba), is however still the ultimate judge of the decisions and actions of mankind and all other created beings.  (Rom. 2:3,5; 14:10)  Although Jesus, in unity with the Father will be present at the last judgment, the Father, by His authority will bring justice to all.  Those who have accepted the atonement of Jesus' sacrifice for their sins will be judged as righteous (not on the basis of their own works, but on the basis of God's forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus), while those who are self-righteous, having rejected Christ, will be rejected as unrighteous.  According to the Bible, God gives every man the opportunity to know and perceive His goodness and grace. (Rom. 1:18-20; 2:15-16)

Jesus is Faithful.  “And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True.” (Rev. 19:11)  “Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are…” (Heb. 3:5-6)  “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Heb. 2:17)

Mercy correlates to the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is referred to by Jesus as the Helper (Gr. Paracletos: one called alongside to help, intercessor, comforter).  No one can deny that we need comfort in this life.  Mercy and comfort go hand in hand.  The showing of mercy brings comfort to all who partake.

Of course God is One.  “You believe that God is one.  You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” (Js. 2:19)  Certainly, all of God's characteristics are evident in all of the Trinity.  The intent here is to show the general catagoric pattern of these three aspects of godliness (justice, faithfulness and mercy) and how they relate to the three characteristics of the Trinity.

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (2.04) Man's Soul (Styles of Learning)

Auditory

Visual

Kinesthetic

There are basically three styles of learning which correlate to the three parts of the human soul (will, mind and emotions).  The auditory style correlates to the will of the soul.  The visual correlates to the mind of the soul, and the kinesthetic correlates to the emotion of the soul.

Just as in the human personalities, there is most always a blending of the three areas for each unique personality, there is also a unique blend of learning styles for the individual.  There are generally ‘leanings’ or ‘bents’, however, in one direction or another.

The Bible correlates ‘hearing’ to ‘obeying’.  Those who receive commands verbally, act decisively to fulfill what is spoken.  Auditory learners are ‘will’ centered in their personality temperaments (Choleric).  This works well in militaristic situations requiring instant obedience for instant results.  Auditory (aural) learners prefer lectures over book study or social interaction, although they can function to a certain extent in either of these other areas.  The will-centered learner, being the center-most area between the mind and the emotions, can lean a little to the mind-centered learning style or the other direction, to the emotion-centered learning style, but will not involve himself fully in either area.  Due to the strength of his decision to do so, he can function in these other areas up to a certain point, but will finally grow weary, returning to his most natural place of auditory learning.

It is easy to see the metaphoric relationship throughout Scripture of the ‘eye’ to the ‘mind’.  Visual learners are ‘mind-centered’ in their personality temperaments (Melancholy) and relate to visual stimuli such as text-books, charts, graphs, videos, etc.  Visual learners are on opposite extremes from the kinesthetic learners, just as the mind-centered personalities are opposite from the emotion-centered personalities.  Visual learners will be able to connect to the auditory (or will-centered) learning style more easily than the kinesthetic, and will easily be overwhelmed by ‘too much’ stimulus of social interactivity.  They prefer to be alone in their work, where they can be singularly focused.  They are usually highly organized in their thoughts, and require that organization in order to learn.  When things become disorganized and ‘out of control’, they find it difficult to focus and be successful in their work.

Kinesthetic learners are emotion-centered (Sanguine personality) in their learning style, and require social interaction and ‘hands-on’ involvement, in order to fully absorb what they are learning.  Simply sitting in a class-room reading a text-book is boring and non-inspiring to them, while class-participation, a job doing something, or some form of ‘manipulative’ is essential to maximize their learning process.  These people can be very intelligent, but lack motivation in the traditional class-room structure, which is geared primarily towards the visual and aural learner.  The kinesthetic learner may be branded as unintelligent or ‘unfocussed’ simply because his learning style is not being accessed properly in the learning environment.

The combination of all three styles, is (as stated above) what relates to most people.  Some people lean strongly to one of the three areas, while others have a greater ‘blend’ of all three.  The most unified of all three areas could be classified as the Phlegmatic personality.  Yet even these have a slight leaning in one direction or another.  Some people are blended with a stronger aggressive will.  Others are blended with a more submissive will.  The combination of the three elements of mind, will and emotions (visual, aural, and kinesthetic respectively) are as diverse as the number of people ever to have lived.  The goal of this study is not to demean or subjugate people into a ‘cookie-cutter’ view of human relationships, but rather to simply encourage a more effective learning environment.  Any communicator, whether they be a leader, teacher, or colleague, would be well-advised to continue the pursuit of successfully relating to others, giving them the best opportunity to connect through the most applicable tools to their style of learning. 

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (1.07) Love

Agape

Phileo

Eros

There are several different Biblical definitions of love, versus the one English word.  When we say the word ‘love’, it can mean anything from a ‘fetish’ to a life-long marital commitment.  Although the Bible outlines a number of different words for our one word 'Love', there are three primary definitions that are most prevalent. 

These three basic definitions of love outline the dimensions of Spirit, Soul and Body (I Thess. 5:23) and the corresponding parts of the Old Testament Tabernacle: the Holy of Holies, the Inner Court, and the Outer Court, respectively.

The highest form of love, correlating to the spirit of man and the Holy of holies is that of Agape.  Agape is unconditional.  It is typified by Jesus willingly going to the cross on behalf of the sins of mankind.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16) 

This love can also be expressed through us, as believers in Jesus Christ: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (I Jn. 3:16)   This kind of love cannot be generated by man himself in his own power and strength.  It can only come through man as he is aligned with the Spirit of God.  It’s like the acoustical phenomena of sympathetic vibration.  The still object resonates by the energy coming from another source.  “God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (I Jn. 4:16)  Agape is not originally emotional, although it can encompass emotion.  It is centered in the will.  It is a moral love, emanating from righteousness, unchanged by surrounding circumstances.  It gives regardless of whether or not it is received by the intended recipient.  This kind of love encompasses all moral traits and is the cumulative characteristic of all morality and Truth.  (See I Cor. 13)

The next kind of love correlates to the soul of man and Inner Court of the Tabernacle.  It is Phileo.  This kind of love is one of reciprocity and friendship.  It requires “a just weight” (Prov. 11:1), an even distribution of giving between the two parties involved.  Phileo is successful as long as both parties continue to justly give to one another (in each other’s perception) what is a ‘fair exchange’.  When this scenario begins to break down (and it always will at some point, due to human selfishness), the friendship or relationship will be dissolved.  The only remedy for this lack of equity is forgiveness, which can only come from Agape.  Agape is the ‘lubricant’ that makes successful Phileo possible.  Without love and forgiveness, ultimately all Phileo will fail. 

Economy is based upon the model of Phileo, and is thus categorically aligned with the Mind of the Soul and the Lust of the Eyes.  Phileo always seeks to ‘calculate’ what it is owed.  “I did such and such, so they owe me this or that.”  Or, “They did this or that for me, now I need to do something for them, so we’ll be even.”  This is not morally a bad thing.  Even God desires a just recompense between parties: “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” (Prov. 11:1)  The problem is that Phileo is humanly impossible to keep perpetually.  With Agape as the foundation, however, it is possible to function in successful Phileo.

The last and lowest kind of love which correlates to the body of man and the Outer Court of the Tabernacle is that of Eros.  Some philosophies consider the human body to be evil; however, the fact that Jesus rose from the dead physically, and even ate food in His resurrected body (Lk. 21:41-43) doctrinally establishes that God does not view the body as evil, but rather the fleshly desires and carnal willfulness against His Spirit. (Gal. 5:19-21)   

Having established this fact, Eros (or sexual love) is needful to procreate the human race, which is also God’s desire: “And God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…” (Gen. 1:28)  Unfortunately, Eros (which is centered in the Emotion of man), when exalted above Phileo and Agape, produces chaos, disorder, disharmony and wars, both internal and external.  The exaltation of Emotion over the Mind and the Will of man is destructive due to its imbalance of the Trinity pattern. 

Eros is successful, however, when it is functioning in the Choice of Agape in marriage and the relationship of Phileo in friendship (within that marriage).  It is in this divine Trinity balance that Eros can be enjoyed to its fullest benefit through the establishment of wholeness in Family.

(for more on this subject, see My Vision: The Community- A Means of Exchange)

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (4.02) Color

Yellow

Blue

Red

The three primary colors of yellow, blue and red have distinct characteristics relating to the Trinity.  Blue and Red are opposites, from the standpoint of direction.  Blue is recessive, Red is aggressive.  Blue is the smallest light-wave of the three and red is the largest.  Yellow stands in the middle, between the two, almost like a balancing point between them.  It is the middle length light-wave.

The colors can be metaphoric of human personalities.  (See Man's Soul (personalities))  Red is the fiery, emotional Sanguine, Blue is the analytical Melancholy.  Yellow is the clear decision-making Choleric.  The mixture or blend of all three colors depicts the Phlegmatic.

Blue correlates to the Son or Word, Yellow correlates to the Father and Red correlates to the Holy Spirit.  With the human soul, following the same pattern, the mind correlates to the Son and the color Blue.  It is analytical, Melancholy and detailed, with the smallest wavelength. (People who are Melancholy in their personality temperament learn by visual systems, primarily). 

As stated above, the human will correlates to the Father, and the color yellow.  It is the middle wavelength, between blue and red.  The vibrancy of yellow is symbolic of the Choleric's aggressive, active will to ‘get things done’.  (People who are Choleric tend to learn by auditory systems successfully.)

The emotions of the human soul correlate to the Holy Spirit and the color Red. It is impassioned and incites response.  It is the longest of the three primary color waves.  It is the most noticeable color of the three and it draws attention to itself.  From the standpoint of human personality it relates to the Sanguine, the ‘life of the party’, the one with ‘charisma’.  (People who are of this temperament tend to learn more effectively kinesthetically, being involved in physical activity.  They also become disinterested if they are contained in un-involvement.)   

The blending of all three colors, especially in their pallor, can portray the unassuming personality of a Phlegmatic.

Interestingly, as the color Yellow is between Blue and Red, the Will stands between the Mind and the Emotions.  One can oftentimes observe a Choleric personality function in both the realm of the Mind and also the Emotions, as the Choleric touches both.

As in body types (see Man’s Body) we find that there are mixtures of different possibilities in a variety of combinations, which produce an array of different personalities.  Ultimately, there are as many variations as there are shades of color. 

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (1.08) Power

Purpose

Sacrifice          

Unity

There are three things that carry power.  Purpose is in the Father category.  The Father had a purpose to redeem humanity, bringing us into relationship and fellowship with Him.  With this purpose there had to be sacrifice, in order to achieve the purpose.  Sending His Son to die a human death brought about the Father’s desired result of unifying the spirits of human beings with His Spirit.  This unity flows through the rest of those who embrace this truth and relationship, otherwise known as the Church.

There can be no unity without sacrifice.  No one can or will sacrifice without a purpose, a reason for that sacrifice.

In leadership, one finds many people who desire unity and agreement.  'Politics' rises and falls based on the desire to bring people together with unifying ideas or purposes.  But there will be no unity without the willingness of the people to sacrifice in meaningful ways to obtain those goals.  If the goals are not compelling enough to warrant the sacrifice that is being required, people will withdraw their resources and there will be no unity.  When, however, the goal is compelling indeed, being clearly understood and embraced by the hearers, sacrifice is increased and unity results.  As Dr. E.L. Cole stated, “Agreement is the place of power.”

Jesus said that the world would know us by the love we have for one another in the Church.  The greatest witnessing tool we have to a lost and self-destructing world is our ability to live in harmony and agreement, producing an atmosphere of power and restoration for their healing.  Without it, we become a mere political community, driven by human ideologies or ‘peer-pressure’. 

As Christians, our purpose on the earth is made clear.  We must expand the Kingdom of God in the realm of the souls of people throughout the world.  This purpose requires sacrifice.  It is, in essence the same sacrifice God made for us.  He did not have to forgive us and free us.  He did not have to sacrifice for our salvation, our freedom, but He chose to do it, in spite of our waywardness, rebellion, selfishness and pride.  When we did not agree with Him, He forgave us anyway.  Our purpose requires us to live in the same way, making the same decision He did, and that is to forgive others, give love that is undeserved even in the midst of gross misunderstandings, failures and sin. 

The only way the Church can truly be effective in its purpose is to enter into the sacrifice of our Example, which creates true unity (not just a show of unity) but unity that allows power through the agreement of those who are willing to walk in it.  Without people who are willing to be wronged, and to release the wrong against them, there can be no power, and hence, no true Church.

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (1.04) Kingdom Attributes (Time)

Love / Present

Faith / Past

Hope / Future

Love is present tense.  God is love. (I John 4:16)  He told Moses, “I Am that I Am.” (Ex. 3:14)  God, Himself encompasses the fullness of time, past and future, the same way He manifests Himself through both Word and Spirit, articulation and breath.

Love exists in the present tense and stands as the highest of all three Kingdom attributes, as the Apostle Paul states, “but now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (I Cor. 13:13)  The will of the human soul stands as the highest point between the mind and the emotions, choosing which thoughts to accept and meditate upon, while at the same time choosing the response of the emotions to these thoughts.  The will makes choices in the present, based upon the knowledge of the past.  It could be knowledge as old as the most ancient Scriptures, or as new as the last God-inspired revelation only a moment ago; but faith still draws upon the understanding of the past.  For example, the testimonies in Scripture, being of the past, build our faith to receive God’s manifested blessings in the present. 

Faith, however, works by love.  It is the action of love that brings faith to life.  “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)  Faith (past) united to Love (present) is the most powerful motivational force that causes the future, or realm of hope, to open wide with possibility.  Hope is the realm of the emotion (speaking of the soul), and as emotion is affected by choices (will) and thoughts (mind), the future responds to those choices and thoughts (past and present seeds, which have been and are being sown). 

Both the past and the future are subject to the choices of the present.  The present filters what it wants of the past, allowing it to pass into the future.  Of the past and future, however, the past holds authority over the future, just as seeds sown in the past must manifest in the future.  One would say, “But the future must be greater, because the possibilities are positive and full of wonder, whereas the past is fraught with both failures and successes, but truthfully, mostly failures.  The past speaks of death, the future of natural life.  How can the past be authoritative over the future?” 

The only way to sever the authority of the death and decay the past holds over the future lies in the power of the present (Love) to choose to overlook the failures of the past, draw upon the successes of the past, reject the destructive seeds of the past and to protectively nurture the good seeds sown. 

Love alone can take the past and metamorphosize it into a powerful future.  This is the power of forgiveness.  It is the power of Jesus (the Word) Who was made flesh, living in the death and decay of this realm, but risen in the power of God’s choice, anointed with victory for the future, to reign as King in the fullness of this hope…our “Blessed Hope.”  

The Word without the resurrection of Love remains a dead letter, for the “letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (II Cor. 3:6), but as faith is united to love, it is simultaneously broken from the past and brought into the present, creating victory for the future.  Without being united to love, however, faith’s future is non-existent, just as “faith without works is dead.” (Js. 2:26)  “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (Js. 1:22) 

Inactivity with the Word is disobedience.    It is rebellion to the possibilities of its future.  Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. (I Sam. 15:23)  Leaving the Word unacted upon in the choices of the present is demonic and will be judged by God.  The rejection of God’s Word (Jesus) results in damnation, because the future is left empty and therefore hope is destroyed.  “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)  The Word must be acted upon and that action is Love.

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (1.00) Key

God

Father

Son

Holy Spirit

Kingdom Attributes

Righteousness

Peace

Joy

Kingdom Attributes (Time)

Love / Present

Faith / Past

Hope / Future

Godly characteristics (Matt. 23:23)

Justice

Faithfulness

Mercy

Christian activity

Prayer

Study of Word

Worship

Love

Agape

Phileo

Eros

Power

Purpose

Sacrifice          

Unity

Man

Spirit

Soul

Body   

Man’s spirit

Conscience

Intuition

Communion

Man’s soul (basic)

Will

Mind

Emotions

Man’s soul (personalities)

Choleric

Melancholy

Sanguine

Phlegmatic

Man’s soul (styles of learning)

Aural

Visual

Kinesthetic

Man’s soul (decision making)

‘because it’s right’

‘because it will benefit me’

‘because I feel like it’

Man’s flesh (temptations)

Glory- pride of life

Gold- lust of the eyes

Girls- lust of the flesh

Man’s soul (society)

Political

Economic

Social

Man's economies

Sowing/Giving/Forgiving

Reciprocity

Selfishness

Functions of Music and the Arts in Society

Prophetic

Exaltation (amplification)

Performance

Man’s body

Mesoderm- structural

Ectoderm- communications

Endoderm- engine

Man’s body (workout routines)

Mesomorph- strength

Ectomorph- endurance

Endomorph- survival

Food groups

Protiens

Fats

Carbohydrates

Angels

Michael (warring)

Gabriel (messenger)

Lucifer (worship)

Devil’s attributes

Accuser

Deceiver

Tempter

Color

Yellow

Blue

Red

Brown

Tabernacle of Moses

Holy of Holies

Inner Court

Outer Court     

Trinity Concepts (2.09) Man's Body

Mesoderm- structural

Ectoderm- communications

Endoderm- engine

When one’s body is not feeling well, or on the contrary, is fresh out of bed, after a sound night’s sleep, the soul (our mind, emotions and will) are affected by that condition negatively or positively.  The same holds true with our human personalities.  Our physical make-up affects our soulish personality. 

In embryology, there are three main aspects of development, the mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm.  The mesoderm is the structural, skeletal development.  The ectoderm is the nervous system, while the endoderm is the fueling (engine) system of the human body.  The mesoderm relates to the will of the soul, as the will provides structure and stability for the mind and the emotions to operate.  The ectoderm relates to the mind, as nerves receive information for processing, and the endoderm relates to the emotions of the soul, fluctuating based upon anxiety or joy. 

Each of these three main characteristics of the human body: the Structural system, the Communication system and the Energy system are found in all of us; however, we have each been created with a certain ‘bent’, if you will, physically. 

I recently read in a fitness magazine, an article characterized by three types of workout routines for the Mesomorph, Ectomorph and Endomorph.  They gave a fourth kind of workout for the Combination body type, which relates to the concept of the Phlegmatic personality being a blend of the three soul areas: mind, emotion and will.

As we each have a physical body, which leans toward one of these three areas, our human souls follow suit.  On very broad terms, look at those who are structurally muscular and notice their tendencies toward the choleric or phlegmatic personalities.  Notice the ‘skinnier, long-limbed’ types leaning toward the melancholy personality traits, and those who have natural food-storing capabilities having sanguine tendencies.  It is also important to note that each of us have varying degrees of all three categories, all blending together, yet creating an end result of uniqueness for each individual.

According to the promise of Scripture, the return of Christ manifests a change in the creation and hence in our physical human bodies as well, where the death and decay of the natural realm is swallowed up by the supernatural life of God.  It appears that the most profound change to our bodies is in the Ectoderm, which correlates to the current natural realm and the Holy Spirit’s presence here at this time.

When the Sadducees questioned Jesus concerning the resurrection of the dead, He replied to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God." (Matt. 22:29-30)

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)



Trinity Concepts (1.06) Christian Activity

Prayer

 Study of Word

 Worship

The balance of Christian activity flows from the Trinity of God, as well.  Needlessly, we often see imbalances in Christian’s lives, churches and entire denominations, even when we have been shown the proper function and relationship between the three aspects of the Trinity very clearly (John 14-17).

Worship relates to the Holy Spirit.  In this ‘category’ we also find emotion in the human soul.  How often have believers been emotionally caught up in worship, only to realize that they weren’t anchored in reality.  As glorious as the experience of worship was the day before, there are still bills to pay and nagging life circumstances that just won’t go away, no matter how much time we yield our passions in worship.  Emotion is good, when it is in proper priority to the other parts of our human existence.  Emotionalism in worship, unbalanced, ultimately leads to a vacuum of conclusive life-solutions.

Worship, however, that has its foundation and roots in the revealed Word and timed by the obedience of a relationship through prayer with the Father, is infused with power into the physical realm that releases the miraculous.  Healings, deliverances and a tangible sense of His Presence is overwhelming.  Many believers then seek ‘worship’ again, to bring them this manifestation of God’s blessing, not realizing that it was an outflow from the prayer that went forth behind the scenes and the revelation of the Word giving fuel to the flames of the Holy Spirit’s movement.  Without prayer and the revealed Word, worship is consumed and cannot exist, for it has nothing to empower it.  When believers turn to worship over and over again to try to fill their spiritual hunger, it becomes dry and they wonder why this is.  It’s because they have lost their memory of why they are rejoicing.  Without the obedience of the Cross, and the revelation of the Resurrection, there can be no exaltation of the Ascension.   The joy of worship comes from knowing why we are worshiping.  Without this, we’re just worshiping worship.

The revealed Word is known as Rhema.  It is different than the historical word, Logos.  Jesus is the Word made flesh.  He came into a fleshly body subject to decay.  The letter kills but the Spirit gives life.  Jesus, the Word died.  The logos will die, but the resurrected Rhema lives forever.  Our relationship with the Word is a two-edged sword, killing our flesh and breathing life into our renewing soul.  “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2)  The mind of the soul and the Word are linked together categorically.  Too often, however, the un-renewed mind of carnal Christians will turn what was intentionally Rhema from the Scriptures into law (Logos).  Again, without the balance of the areas of prayer and worship, the Scriptures become dry and legal.  Indeed we cannot even come to Jesus (the Word) unless the Father (prayer/obedience) draws us to Him.  Our relationship with the Father, through a hunger for and obedience to His will and purpose, is critical in order for our eyes to be opened with new revelation.  God will only give us the Revealed Rhema when our hearts are fully toward Him.

Worship and Prayer are often mistaken for each other.  They are quite different, however.  Worship is a manifestation on the outside of a conviction on the inside.  It’s the amplified signal shouting on the rooftops.  In essence, it is evangelical.  Prayer, however, is on the inside.  Jesus told us to go into our inner rooms and shut the doors when we pray.  This is not just a physical command, but also, and perhaps mostly, a metaphoric command, for we are spirit, soul and body.  He dwells in our spirit.  That is where we are to go, our spirit, in communion with His Spirit in us, our ‘Holy of holies’.  This can be when we are walking down the street, or in the midst of an intense battle pressuring us on every side.  He still dwells in that secret place in our spirit. 

Prayer relates to our soul in the area of the will.  Jesus said for us to pray, “May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” (Matt. 6:10) When He himself was in the garden before His arrest, He prayed, “Father...not my will, but Yours be done.” (Lk. 22:42) Prayer is about submission to His will. 

Our will is sovereign.  It chooses what to think, what to feel.  God, in His Sovereignty, chose to give us a portion of Himself.  If our will is sovereign, and He is the only Sovereign, we must admit that He is not divided between Himself and us.  He gives us, in love, a perfect balance to choose.  “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  So choose life in order that you may live." (Deut. 30:19)  If we still choose death, however, He takes responsibility for it.  It was not Him Who made us choose it, but because our will is part of His Sovereignty, he still takes responsibility for it.  In this is the death of Jesus, and in this is the death of our flesh, our carnality.  Jesus died as God’s response to our failure, with His responsibility of payment for it.  He is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8)  As we live in Him, our fleshly nature, our carnality, is challenged and cut away from us in the likeness of His death. Obedience to His will and disobedience to our own, is the process of our inward renewal. How our will responds to His will happens in prayer.  Our covenant with Him is forged by our relationship with Him.  “How much do I do in this situation (empowered by His Spirit), and to what extent do I remain trustingly uninvolved?”  The answer lies within our relationship with Him through prayer, as He reveals it to us in our ‘Holy of holies’. 

He reveals Himself through His Word and His Spirit, as analogized earlier by speech: articulation and breath, respectively.  (See, Trinity Concepts 1.02 God)  Without His revelation, even our prayer goes awry.  “He who turns his ear away from listening to the law (Word of God), even his prayer is an abomination.” (Prov. 28:9)  God, in His fullness, must be allowed to flow though us, in priority and in balance, in order for each aspect of our Christian growth to be complete.  As the wise saying goes, “All Word and no Spirit, you dry up.  All Spirit and no Word, you blow up.  The Word and the Spirit together, and you grow up.”

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)



Trinity Concepts (2.06) Man's Flesh, Temptations

Glory- pride of life

Gold- lust of the eyes

Girls- lust of the flesh

The Scripture outlines the evil animal tendencies in the human flesh, categorizing them as: the ‘lust of the flesh’, the ‘lust of the eyes’ and the ‘pride of life’. (I Jn. 2:16)  These relate to the three main animal instincts to procreate, to eat (or have sustenance), and to fight/survive, respectively. 

Relating to the human soul, the pride of life is centered in the fleshly will.  It is the ‘ego’ of man.  “I will do it my way”- trusting in self.  The lust of the eyes deals with the fleshly mind.  Coveting and greed are manifested in this category.  Metaphorically, the Bible speaks of the ‘eyes’ as the mind: "If therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light." (Matt. 6:22)  The lust of the flesh correlates to the fleshly emotion, the flesh’s lust for pleasure and self-gratification. “If it feels good, do it” is the characteristic here.

The cure, or solution, to these evils can be found in the acceptance of the influence of God’s Kingdom attributes: righteousness (dealing with the pride of life); peace (dealing with the lust of the eyes) and joy (countering the lust of the flesh).

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)



Trinity Concepts (2.03) Man's Soul, Personalities

Man’s soul (personalities)

Choleric

Melancholy

Sanguine

Phlegmatic

The ancient Hebrew word for heart is ‘leb’, which is the mind, emotions and will.  These attributes of the human soul can be seen in modern-day psychological studies.  One study divides the human personalities as such: Choleric (black and white decision-making); Sanguine (life of the party); Melancholy (detailed, analytical); Phlegmatic (stubbornly unmoved).  Although the four-fold nature of this psychological study seems to be enigmatic, its relationship to the triune human soul is simple to see. 

The Choleric personality is centered in the will of the soul, as it is a decisive personality.  The Sanguine personality is centered in the emotion of the soul.  The Sanguine is easily moved to joy or tears.  The Melancholy personality is centered in the mind of the soul, as this person bases his every move on meticulous calculation.  The Phlegmatic personality is said to have as his motto, “I shall not be moved”.  His personality is centered, as is the Choleric’s in the will, however, it is a passive will, while it’s Choleric counterpart is an active, aggressive will. 

Another view of the Phlegmatic personality can be illustrated with color, which also holds a triune example.  The three primary colors are Red, Blue and Yellow.  When mixing these colors together into one color, they become Brown, a very non-specific, or ‘vanilla’ common color.  This could also be similar to what happens in the mix of human personality traits, as the fiery Sanguine (represented by red) blends with the cold and calculated Melancholy (represented by blue) and the somewhat removed, or objective decision-making Choleric (represented by yellow, the color closest to light or white) balances and arbitrates between the two characteristics of red and blue.  In other words, the ‘average’, ‘vanilla’ Phlegmatic personality is actually a well-blended mix of the mind will and emotions of the soul, while the others excel in one or more areas of these.



(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)

Trinity Concepts (2.01) Man's Spirit

Man’s spirit

Conscience

Intuition

Communion

Most people would agree that we as humans have a body and a soul.  But we also have what the Scriptures continually refer to as a spirit.  This is the part of us least detected by the common observer.  One author* characterized the human spirit as our Conscience, Intuition and our Communion with God.  Again, each of these corresponds categorically to the triune nature of God.   Our conscience (or sense of right and wrong) corresponds to the Father, Who will judge the world one day.  Our intuition (or revealed knowledge) corresponds to the Word of God.  Our Communion with God corresponds to the Holy Spirit, as He is here with us on the earth, in Jesus’ absence.  One of His names is Comforter.  (It is easy to see why many young believers mistake the movings of the Holy Spirit with their emotions, since the emotions of the soul are in the same category of [Holy Spirit, Communion with God, Emotions, Endoderm].

*Watchman Nee

(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)