Soul: The Battle Ground

Transcription

1 My Soul Page 1 Soul: The Battle Ground Sunday, November 29, :52 AM Lesson on the Soul - Mind, Will, & Emotions 1.) Pray for Insight & Wisdom 2.) Introduction: Every human is a Tri-Part Being (a Body, a Spirit, & a Soul). To the Christian - Do you understand that the Soul is where the Battle Rages when "Breaking with Sin", "Overcoming Emotional Obstacles", "Maintaining Personal Relationships", "Removing a Barrier With God", & Etc.?? 3.) Introductory Scripture Isaiah 57:16 (Various Translations) NLT For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away all the souls I have made. NIV I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me the very people I have created. OJB For I will not contend (forever), neither will I (always) be in wrath; for the (spirit) would grow faint before Me, even the (souls) which I have made. 4.) The Battle Ground **What are the attributes of the human soul? Our mind (Intelligence / Understanding), Our Will (Desire / Motivation), and Our Emotions (Feeling / Agitation) determine how we humans operate in the world as individuals - not being controlled by (or) void of God's Holy Spirit's influence. The sinful state. Each of these 3 elements or human attribute make us unique when we add various levels of intensity or weakness to each attribute. **Is it true that God not only made us look different; but did He make our Souls uniquely different also? Why? Isaiah 57:16 (AMPC) For I will not contend forever, neither will I be angry always, for [if I did stay angry] the spirit [of man] would faint and be consumed before Me, and [My purpose in] creating the souls of men would be frustrated. God seems to determine this uniqueness; in order to, frustrate us so it is more difficult to

2 My Soul Page 2 achieve a goal separate from His Holy Spirit's influence. It is that power we must have to reach God's plan for our life. Just stop and think how unique your Soul is from other people! Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT) This is what the Lord says: Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, No, that s not the road we want! The right way for living is "the old, godly way" and has been marked out by God. But the people in the past refused to take God's path, went their own way in life instead. How about you? We face the same decision today - going God's old but true way or following a new path of our own choosing. Don't be misled. The only way to find peace and "rest for the soul" is to walk on God's path. Jeremiah 6:17 (NLT) I posted watchmen over you who said, Listen for the sound of the alarm. But you replied, No! We won t pay attention! 5.) Stop and think about youself **Why were you given by God a different soul from other people? **Does this help you understand your difficulties in relationships and life in general? **Why did God do this to you? **Do you accept or reject your soul - who you are? **Do you want to be like someone else? **Is the Holy Spirit's power important to you? **Do you now understand why God will reward certain Christians higher than others? Insight: God has given every Christian different struggles to conquer in life. He will build that into His reward evaluation when He speaks with you one-on-one in Heaven. This also points out how important it is for a married couple and for close friends to stay focused individually only upon Jesus Christ for leadership. Not to try to fix the other person; so your life can be better! 6.) Being Born Again **Isn't it in the Heart where the spiritual conversion happened? **Isn't the Soul where the Christian transformation struggle takes place? When Jesus said, "For what does a man profit, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul". He is declaring his value for just one human soul.

3 My Soul Page 3 One soul is more valuable than all the riches of the world. We do not value every human life as much as we should. Whenever we connect with someone - we should remember that they have a different soul. That certainly is what Jesus does! He came into the world to save souls. He is the lover of our souls! Charles Wesley wrote one of the old hymns entitled, "Jesus, Lover of my Soul" that is based upon this idea. The first verse starts out: Jesus, Lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly. And the second verse starts: Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on Thee. Also, the popular Hillsong lyrics express this in their song - "Jesus Lover Of My Soul." 7.) The Soul's Transformation **Do some Christians have it easier being transformed into Christ's likeness because God gave them a more "cooperative" Soul - Mind, Will, and Emotions? We honestly do not know! Scholars do know there seems to be various degrees of "Cooperation" among people. Some people seem less prone to develop less addictive sins (or) maintain more self-control. **Is it easier for some Christians to make the Christian transformation because they were raised within a nurturing family, (or) had godly parents, (or) didn't incur a traumatic life event during their formative years (or) didn't make wrong decisions early in life? Jeremiah 5:3 (NLT) Lord, you are searching for honesty. You struck your people, but they paid no attention. You crushed them, but they refused to be corrected. They are determined, with faces set like stone; they have refused to repent. Very Important to Understand: Nothing but "honesty" is acceptable to God. When we pray, sing, serve, or speak. Nothing closes the door of God's acceptance more than hypocrisy, lying by not meaning our words, or refusing to listen. To be intimate with God - be honest with Him and you'll find peace for your soul. The key words to God is a sincere - Please HELP Me! 7A.) King David's Prayer Model Psalm 143:4-8 (NLT) 4 I am losing all hope (soul); I am paralyzed with fear (soul). 5 I remember (soul) the days of old. I ponder (will) all your great works and think (soul) about what you have done. 6 I lift my hands (soul) to you in prayer. I thirst (soul) for you as parched land thirsts for rain. 7 Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression (soul) deepens.

4 My Soul Page 4 Don t turn away from me, or I will die (body). 8 Let me hear (body) of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting (soul) you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself (Mind, Will, & Emotions) to you. Understand David's honest prayer to God. He was pouring himself out to his Creator & God. He was lifting up his Soul to God because his Soul was overtaking him. He was paralyzed in his Mind, Will, and Emotions - had lost all HOPE. Note David's closing key verses which will always advance God's actions: Psalm 143:10-11 (NLT) 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. 11 For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. **Your will - not mine! **Your Leading - not mine! **Your glory - not mine! This is how to neutralize your "out of control" Soul of fear, anxiety, anger, addiction, & etc. These verses show humility, surrender of a will, willingness to listen, giving up control, and brokenness of pride. Therefore, this is God's promise for helping us with Soul issues: Hebrews 6:18-20 (NLT) Jesus -Anchor to Our Soul 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. 8.) The Soul's Just Reward Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT) 9 The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve. God makes it clear why we sin - it's a matter of the heart. Our heart is inclined toward sin from the time we are born. The heart is the organ of reason, intelligence, and will (Soul). So deep is our tendency to sin that only God's redemption can deliver us. It is easy to fall into the routine of forgetting and forsaking God. But we can still choose whether or not to continue to sin. We can yield to a specific temptation, or we can ask God to help us resist temptations when they come.

5 My Soul Page 5 8A.) Our Soul's Character **So how are you doing compared to God's perfect character consisting of Love, Justice, Mercy, and Holiness? **Are you conquering your soul of Mind, Will, and Emotions? It will show-up in your ability to have personal self-control. Ask your family and friends - In what area of your Soul do you need more self-control? Psalm 116:7 (Various Translations) NLV Return to your rest, O my soul. For the Lord has been good to you. NLT Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. AMP Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. Conclusion: It seems that the answer lies in how a person utilizes wisdom for making right decisions during life. And, how a Christian appropriates the Word of God into their daily living. Many successful Christians credit "keeping their eyes upon Jesus only" and "absorbing spiritual strength from the Word of God". You always want Love & Mercy to be displayed by other people because your walk in life is difficult. You should now want to give Love & Mercy to others; so they can climb their Mountain in Life easier. Conquering the Soul is difficult and is where the Christian battle rages. Life is not about trying to get others to change; so you can win YOUR battle easier!

6 My Soul Page 6 you Saturday, September 9, :26 AM