When the apostle John turned to view Jesus at the presentation of the Revelation, one of the things John describes is a sharp two-edged sword in Jesus’ mouth. Rather than a physical sword, this likely represents the powerful of word of God. John writes:
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash… 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. Revelation 1:12-13,16 (NASB)
The writer of the book of Hebrews refers to the word of God as sharper than a two-edged sword.
12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
God’s word is alive and active, infused with His Holy Spirit. It reaches deep into our hearts, dividing our innermost soul and spirit. God uses the word to draw us to Jesus and to ignite the fires of faith in our heart. It empowers and strengthens us to use our free will in a holy way, to listen to, walk with, and follow Him.
Personally, I have wondered what God means when He says His word is able to divide our soul and spirit. There is no common definition for the difference between the two. Many biblical scholars believe the soul and spirit are actually the same thing, and combine them as one.
Since scripture does refer to soul and spirit as two distinct entities, divided by the living and active word of God, is there more here of value to learn?
Pastor Anton Bosch presents a good model that explores the distinction between the two, and suggests they have an important difference. According to Bosch, our soul is our person and personality, our very being, who we really are inside. This includes our thoughts, emotions, will, motives, and intentions. It is distinct from the body which contains us, which might also be referred to as our flesh.
The soul is included in and studied by the field of psychology – our mind, what we think and feel, and why.
But according to Bosch’s model, somewhere within the core of our soul, our spirit is found. This is the part of us that is God-breathed, the part with the potential for a divine connection to the Almighty. This element is spiritual, and falls outside of the field of psychology. Bosch believes that deep within every person is this potential for faith. But not everyone will choose to activate it. We activate it by choosing to have faith in Christ, and in that moment we are re-born.
That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 (NASB)
As the word of God reaches into our spirit, it seeks to set ablaze a faith and a connection to God, bringing us from spiritual death to life. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, God’s word cuts through the futility and untruth of the world to ignite our true eternal being. As we respond to God’s prompting, our spirit becomes alive, and we become one with Christ through faith.
Jesus highlights the importance of His word in the gospel of John:
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides no benefit; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life. John 6:63 (NASB)
As we respond in faith, the word continues to feed and nourish our spirit, and the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us as the temple of God.
Our spirit is now able to use this God connection to advise our soul on the right way to live. Unfortunately, there will often be a conflict between this divine guidance and the “advice” being given by our flesh, as influenced by the temptations of the outside world.
This is one of the factors which makes living a Christian life difficult as we seek to walk with and please God, choose purity, and to shun evil. This involves a life-long practice of divine sanctification, led by the grace of God in Christ.
Bosch’s soul and spirit model is very interesting, but it is still only a model. The important thing is when we have accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts by faith, we immediately become positionally righteous in Him. We become reborn, saved for eternity with Him, because of our faith in His death and resurrection.
Reflection
When we listen to and give in to our flesh and external temptation rather than to God’s word in our spirit, we sin. But we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, who died for us and will readily forgive us when we confess our sins and turn back to Him.
As God works within us to make us think and behave more like Him, that is called sanctification. This is a lifelong process, and we seek through the power of God and His word to get better over time, to better reflect Christ who lives within us. As the apostle Paul wrote:
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NASB)
Father God, thank You for Jesus, whose Spirit lives within us to forgive and to sanctify. Use us in the work of Your kingdom, to love and bless others, pleasing You as we follow Your will. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today.
Times and Seasons - The Book of Revelation FOR TODAY 