It
is difficult to explain the difference between the spirit and soul but I do believe there is a difference. I do adhere to 1st Thessalonians 5:3.
The only way I can explain it is growing up Catholic and going to mass regularly, the prayers were dead. I did not know any better back then. But being at mass did not draw to Jesus. Some or even many Catholics may disagree with me and that is their prerogative. Yet, I am sure there are many Catholics that do pray to the LORD from the depth of their being and do not know they are doing so. ( I am leaving praying to Mary or the saints out of this). After I got saved, I learned to pray even to call on the Lord from the depth of my being.
I often here people use the Lord Jesus Name in vain. They are not calling on Him from a pure heart, a loving heart or even a contrite heart. They are using their soulish flesh to release their frustration and anger but in doing so they are degrading His Precious and Holy Name. They are not calling on Him to help them out of their situation.
Using these examples it is easy for me to then distinguish the soul from the spirit. It is the only way I know how to explain it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!
The last couple days on the index page of this forum, a couple authors (Gordon Furguson is one) have been highlighted who have written things about Watchman Nee and Witness Lee's teachings. I've read just a little of the things linked to, and one main subject seems to be the authors' disagreement with the teaching of man being a tripartite being - spirit, soul and body. From what I've read, the augment is made that this view is not supported in the word, and therefore lends itself to an overly mystical approach in Christians. The authors appear to support the idea that man is in fact dichotomous - soul and spirit are synonymous with each other in the Bible.
Personally, I believe man has been made with three main parts, as is said in 1st Thessalonians 5:3, "your whole spirit and soul and body . . ." (the Greek has the article "and" between each). Admittedly I first heard this teaching in the LC, when I arrived in 1974. Everything I read in scripture seems to support this. But I'm curious, do others see man's makeup the same way, or is this another LC Kool-Aid drink I've swallowed and need to reconsider?
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