Important Truth You Need To Define Your Soul
As followers of Jesus, we trust The Bible’s promise that our souls go to heaven when we die.
We are told to love God with all our “heart, soul, mind, and strength.”
But have you ever wondered how you’d define your soul if someone asked you about it? I grew up in the church and I pray and read the Bible daily, but I still find it hard to give a clear explanation of the human soul.
So, I turned to Pastor John Ortberg’s book, Soul Keeping…
”Your soul is not just something that lives on after your body dies. It’s the most important thing about you. It is your life.” “
Your soul is what integrates your will (your intentions), your mind (your thoughts and feelings, your values and conscience), and your body (your face, body language, and actions) into a single life. A soul is healthy — well-ordered — when there is harmony between these three entities and God’s intent for all creation. When you are connected with God and other people in life, you have a healthy soul.”
Psalm 97 describes God as our righteous and just King…
The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice! .
..Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Psalm 97:1a & 2b (NLV)
God the King is the Creator of your soul.
I learned the King James Version of Genesis 2:7 which reads…
The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
In Psalm 97, we learn that He not only created our souls, He keeps them safe…
For He keeps safe the souls of His faithful ones.
Psalm 97:10 (NLV)
But He is also the ultimate judge of our souls. Jesus said…
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28
Through faith in Jesus, your soul is kept safe forever. Faith in Jesus touches every part of our lives. It fills our souls.
Faith aligns our will (our intentions) with the will of God. Faith enables the Holy Spirit to influence our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and consciences. Faith affects how we use our bodies . . . giving us the desire to do everything for God’s glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Through faith in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, every part of our lives, your soul and mine, are connected with God and other people. Through faith in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit . . . your soul is healthy and strong today, tomorrow, forever, and always.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer for Your Soul to Be Safe Through Faith in Jesus
Father, Your Spirit inspired Paul to write, that nothing can separate Your children from Your love. (Romans 8:38) You made my soul and You keep my soul safe through Your loving care. Thank you for making it possible for me to be Your child through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Thank you for allowing me to KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE You and Your Son, Jesus, through the prompting and power of the Spirit.
By Your grace, please keep my soul healthy and strong. May my will be aligned with Your will for me. May my heart and mind be focused on Your eternal truth and promises. And may part of me live every moment for Your glory.
When doubts enter my mind, give me all I need to reject them by the power of Your Word and promises. When the enemy tempts me to disobey Your will, give me the strength I need to trust and obey. When the lies of culture distract and upset me, give me the peace that passes understanding. Please give me everything I need each day to proclaim that in Jesus it is forever and always well with my soul. Amen.
As I was searching the Scriptures to learn more about our souls, I compared the various translations of Psalm 62:5.
- ESV – Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.
- NIV – Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.
- NLT – Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
C. S. Lewis wrote…
“You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”
Dallas Willard wrote…
“You’re a soul made by God, made for God, and made to need God—you were not made to be self-sufficient.”
Franklin Graham wrote…
“Every life is precious to God. God created every one of us. He gave us a soul, and that soul will live as long as God lives.“
Remember…
Your soul is who you are. My soul is who I am. Loving God with all my soul means loving Him with all I am. And by God’s grace through faith in Jesus, our souls will spend eternity thanking and praising the Lord for His grace, mercy, and love.
And hold Jesus’ promise deep in your soul…
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
John 14:1–3
May your soul be blessed in Jesus now and always.
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This is something I will reread this week. It puts so much in prespective. I am grateful and I praise God for saving my soul through faith in Jesus.
I do love the Lord with all of my heart, soul and mind. He not only has my soul, but He has my heart. It is hard to be certain of anything when doubts and turmoil fill my mind. Reading your post fills me with the reasurance I need once again. My gratitude for your wisdom overflows.
God bless you and yours, my dear friend.
Hey Sue! So happy to see your comments today and your words are so beautiful! I especially loved Deb’s post today too…she always gives me such food for thought and so much encouragement. This old world can sure get us down if we let it. I am so thankful to be in this wonderful group of friends who love and trust our wonderful Lord and Savior. I have missed you and thought about you, dear friend. I pray blessings and joy for you today and everyday! Sending you a big hug and lots of hugs! So thankful to see your name and read your beautiful words!
Hi Kathy,
I am glad to hear from you. It is good to be back in a commenting frame of mind. Last week and the week before were “trying” weeks. I had a little dental surgery last Monday and my mouth is still so sore. Old age has its trials! Anyway, nothing that the Lord and I can’t work out together. But, I read what you said all week and your comments gave me much inspiration and encouragement. Deb always has such wisdom and I enjoy all of her blogs. You should be a writer too. You are down to earth and have so many things to say that remind me of myself. I too, get so impatient with the way things are in this world, but what keeps me going is knowing that GOD IS IN CHARGE! I feel so much disappointment in myself for letting me get down like I do. It is truly a test of my faith. I am still stiving for the perfection that needs to be for me. Thank Goodness that HE loves me in spite of myself. He understands and you know what? It helps so much to have Deb and you as my encouragers!! I am truly blessed. Thanks for all of the love you share for me and also for the others on this site.
We are so blessed to have Deb and her wisdom and insights. You, my dear friend lift my spirits and make me feel good. Much love to you for a great week.
I’m so glad this blessed you, Sue. Thanks, as always, for your sweet words of encouragement. I never think of myself as being very wise but I do love sharing the Lord’s love and the hope He gives me. Blessings and hugs, sweet friend!
I will hold Jesus’ promise deep in my soul always! Sometimes the rest of me becomes a bit impatient, but my soul corrects me and returns my patience and steers me along to endure the waiting. Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope.
And as always, your prayers are so gracious and humble and so touching! You are such a good steward for God and His Word! The Lord indeed gave you a most beautiful, wonderful, and wise soul! And I’m so thankful that He gave us you! Praying for you and Rev, wishing I could offer the comfort and encouragement to you both, the way you do for all of us! Love and prayers for a peaceful soul week ahead.
You’re extremely kind, Kathy! The Lord has worked mightily in my life. The ways He has sustained me through challenges and welcomed me home after I’ve followed foolishness . . . I am truly humbled. I want everyone to know His love and the ways He wants to walk along side each of us and give us exactly what we need each day. By His grace alone, we will faithfully say, “It is well with my soul.” Blessings and hugs, my friend!
Beautiful words and prayers to better understanding about our souls. Everything makes sense knowing that our souls are our lives and in order to have a perfect one is to always trust in God to guide us by the Holy Spirit and Trinity. Dear Lord help me to trust in you to remain faithful for my soul.
Have a wonderful blessed day Deb and all who follow your podcast.
Blessings, Ana! I’m so very glad this encouraged you! Thanks as always for your kind comment.
Another really great post. What a specific topic, and the specificity is just what we need. Thank you!
Thank you so very much for your kind encouragement, Desiree. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. God bless you!