I had the privilege this week of helping host a group of spiritual leadership coaches. It was a joy to learn together and go deeper in our devotion to Jesus. We invited my friend Tommy Hays of Messiah Ministries to lead portions of our retreat, and he introduced us to this question as to whether we are more "spiritual" or "soulish" Christians. This was his primary text:
"May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do this" (I Thess. 5:23-24, NRSV).
God is a God of peace (Shalom), which includes not only lack of anxiety but more particularly holiness and wholeness in relationship with God, others around us, and all of creation (including both salvation and justice). It is God alone who can sanctify us entirely and He is faithful and will do it. What is our part in this process of sanctification leading to complete holiness and wholeness in Christ by the Holy Spirit? We have to surrender (kenosis - empty) our souls before God.
Tommy pointed out that the human spirit (Gk: pneuma) is that deepest part of us that communes with God and helps us discern God's way when led by the Holy Spirit. The human soul (Gk: psyche) includes our mind, will, and emotions. The Christ follower is in right alignment when the body is submitted to the soul, the soul is submitted to the spirit, and the spirit is submitted to the Holy Spirit. Often, though, our human soul asserts itself and we become "soulish" Christians rather than "spiritual" Christians.
How often are we the ones attempting to be in control of our own lives rather than letting Jesus be Lord? This is always an assertion of our souls - either our mind, will, or emotions taking control. I began to reflect on ways that this has been true for me lately. For example, some of the struggle I have shared with allowing frustration or impatience to get the best of me at home is an example of when my emotions have arisen to take control in my life. I need the Holy Spirit's help in those moments to help me humble myself and submit/surrender/empty my soul. Similarly, in the moments my mind is tempted with lust, my soul is rising up. Also, I recognize that when I am asserting my own will, I am limiting the Spirit's ability to bring that sanctification in me that Paul is describing. Whether it be in my mind, my will, or my emotions, when I am attempting to assert control in my own life rather than allowing Jesus be Lord, it is my pride at work.
The key is that "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). James goes on to say, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:7-8). Interestingly, the word in the Greek that we translate "double-minded" in English is actually "two-souled." It is truly as if a portion of our soul is following God while another part of our soul is following our own way. When this occurs, we must humble our souls, so that our human spirits can fully commune with the Holy Spirit that we may be sanctified.
It is important to point out that our mind, will, and emotions (our soul) are not evil but a God-given gift. The problem is when they are out of alignment (not submitted to the Spirit). When properly aligned, God has given us our minds, our will, and and our emotions to enjoy this world and to express love. After all, this notion of entire sanctification is synonymous with what it means to love God with our all and love our neighbor as ourselves (Great Commandment - Mt 22:37-40). Similarly, this is akin to what Christian maturity, discipleship, healing, spiritual leadership, a life of worship, and a life of prayer are all about.
I have recognized over the past several days some areas of my life where I am not experiencing the fullness of God in my life. It is clear to me that this is a direct result of my own pride and my soul asserting itself (mind, will, emotions) in those areas. For me to experience healing, wholeness, and holiness, I must empty myself (kenosis) and submit my soul to God. It is the Spirit's fruit that I want in these areas rather than the fruit of my own soul. These manifest as the Mind of Christ rather than merely my mind (I Cor 2:16), self-control given by the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and God's will rather than my own, and love, joy, peace, patience... rather than my unsanctified emotions (Gal 5:22-23).
Holy Spirit, I submit my soul to You today and as best I can I empty myself of all that is blocking Your grace. Fill and sanctify me Holy Spirit. Come and change me that I may grow to love You and others completely.
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