Word of the Week - Spiritual Order
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thes 5:23
God created us in His image as triune beings—body, soul, and spirit. Unlike animals, we are eternal beings with the ability to choose between walking with God or following our own desires. When disconnected from God, we are naturally inclined toward fleshly desires that lead to spiritual death: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Understanding the purpose of these three dimensions helps us navigate our faith journey.
Body/Flesh – “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." — Romans 8:5 Our physical body, with its senses—sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell—is where desires are felt most intensely. Left unchecked, these desires can take control, leading to chaos and self-destruction. The enemy thrives in this realm, luring us away from God. Discipline is key to mastering the flesh; practices like fasting, exercise, and surrounding ourselves with healthy environments help us stay aligned with God's will.
Soul/Mind – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." — Romans 12:2 The soul is the seat of our mind, will, and emotions—the part of us that thinks, feels, and chooses. Our thoughts and emotions are heavily influenced by what we consume and who we surround ourselves with. “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8). Feeding our mind with truth from God’s Word allows us to walk in alignment with God's purpose.
Spirit/God Within Us - "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." — Galatians 5:17 Our spirit is the eternal part of us that connects with God. When we are born of the Spirit, we are awakened to new life in Christ. This rebirth often requires dying to our old ways, allowing the Spirit to thrive. In this new life, we access God’s power to overcome the flesh and live victoriously. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). True life flows from staying connected to Jesus.
Living from the Inside Out - Our natural tendency is to live from the outside in—reacting to our senses and emotions. But the abundant life Jesus promised is experienced when we live from the inside out, prioritizing our spirit's connection with God. When we feed our spirit through prayer, scripture, worship, and fellowship, we become Spirit-led, gaining victory over the soul and flesh. This Spirit-led life produces fruit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23).
Challenge Question:
Are you living from the inside out, led by the Spirit and bearing spiritual fruit? What steps can you take today to prioritize your spirit's connection with God, so that your soul and body follow His lead?
I pray we will experience the fullness of the abundant life in Spirit, Soul, and Body as we live from the Inside-out in Christ…