Early on in this blog adventure, (blog #2 – “In our Image”) I touched upon the unique design of humanity by our heavenly Father. In Genesis (1:26) He said, “Let us make man in Our image, after our likeness….” He created us – spirit beings, each with a soul, and gave each one a body to dwell within, which equips us to move about in time and space upon the earth.
In Thessalonians, Paul references this design in his letter to the believers in Thessalonica: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Th 5:23)
Indeed, we are three part beings, and God had intentionality in this design. This is the construct, if you will. I would like to pursue the application within the construct. How does this play out in day to day life? Why is it even important to understand the construct of a human being?
In my work as a physical therapist – interacting with the beautiful diversity of humanity, my personal relationships with both family and friends; as well as my own life journey, I have come to the conclusion that one’s mindset is the single most important influencing factor within the human experience.
Again, we each have a spirit, soul, and body; yet, the experience of life lived out is vastly different within each human life. What each one believes and thinks influences attitude, which guides words and actions. This may collectively be referred to as mindset.
Mindset will govern – whether we acknowledge this or not – mindset will govern how one’s life is viewed (identity) which filters our beliefs regarding our experiences. We then determine (assume) meaning and motives and draw our conclusions about the world around us, others, and ourselves. Ultimately, we draw upon these conclusions when choosing our words and actions, “living life” each day, season upon season, year after year.
If mindset truly has influence upon one’s quality of life, then it would be vital to recognize and understand the source of supply to one’s mindset.
Let’s connect this back to “spirit and soul and body.”
Because I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, I believe that He was relentlessly intentional in His word choice. Paul, under the inspiration of Holy Spirit, was intentional in saying “your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved.” The spirit has preeminence. The soul is the conduit / the portal between spirit and body. The body is the visual expression of the invisible reality of spirit and soul. The body allows one, clothed in flesh, to be seen in time and space.
In the Garden of Eden, prior to the infamous fruit consumption from the forbidden tree, Adam and Eve walked and talked with God, daily. Their mindset was informed by their heavenly Father. This identity (sons of God) was the filter or lens through which they formulated their beliefs regarding daily experiences with their surroundings and each other. Their responses to God and to one another reflected / were the result of their identity and beliefs.
Summarily stated, we could say they each had a healthy mindset. This resulted in a state of their souls – being informed by their spirits – living in Love, joy, peace, patience and kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22).
Their bodies (clothing of flesh for spirit and soul) functioned without illness, affliction, or decay. This reality was what God originally intended for His creation.
In the next blog I want to contrast how the application of a healthy mindset versus an unhealthy mindset influences the human experience within the design construct of spirit and soul and body.
