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 (2.11) 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 (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 (1.00) 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 (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 (2.00) Man

Man 

Spirit

Soul

Body

Man, created in God’s image, was made to have three main elements to his being.  This is outlined in the Scriptures as “spirit, soul and body”. (I Thess. 5:23) These three areas of our existence each have three parts, reflecting the Trinity ‘dimensions’ within themselves.

The spirit of man is the part of man that touches the supernatural realm, or the spiritual realm.  To one who has not yet received the new birth, which comes through faith in Jesus Christ, his spirit is separated from God.  This produces within him a sensation of a ‘vacuum’, an insatiable hunger driving him to try to fill it with anything that will give some relief.  Just a moment of ‘inspiration’ from a movie or a walk in the park, or wherever he has tasted just a hint of God’s goodness (which is evident all around us), keeps him constantly searching for the next high, or 'fix', that will quell this aching pain within himself.  What he is not aware of is the fact that God is actually leading him to Himself by His goodness. (Rom.2:4)

Some people are lured into the negative power of the spirit realm through the occult, not realizing that spiritual forces can be destructive.  The misconception is that just because something is spiritual, and thus higher and more powerful than the natural realm, that this makes it automatically good.  Falling into this trap produces nothing but failure and destruction.

To the Christian, however, our spirits are joined to the Holy Spirit, united with Him.  We are “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3)

Our soul is formed by the ‘merging together’ of our spirit and our body.  It is the ‘middle’ part of our being, characterized by our mind (or reasoning capabilities), emotions (or affections) and volition, or will (decision making ability).  Every person has unique strengths and ‘giftings’, based upon how these three areas of their soul function.  One person will have a very quick mind.  Someone else will be the ‘life of the party’ with emotional effectiveness, and yet others can make quick decisions that, more often than not, are correct and good.  These are known as the personality temperaments of our lives.  We each have varied combinations of these three elements, producing within us our own uniqueness. The body also affects our soul and the kind of personalities we have.    According to the field of embryology, the three main aspects of our bodies, formed within the womb, are the Mesoderm, Ectoderm and Endoderm.  In broad terminology, this is the Structural system (bones, muscles, tendons, etc.), the Nervous system (or communication system) and the Fueling System (turning food into energy for the body).  Each of these three parts of our body relate to the Trinity ‘dimensions’ as well.

Following is a discussion of the attributes of man: spirit, soul and body, in more detail.



(for more study, see the Trinity Concepts Key)