Summary:

To understand how and why our faith confessions work, we must understand the functionality of the spirit, soul, and body, which make up the tri-part nature of man.

  1. Man is a tri-part being. He is a spirit, who has a soul, and lives in a physical body.

    1. The soul consists of the mind, will, emotions, and personality.

    2. The body can be touched, and the soul can be affected through spoken words, but the spirit cannot be contacted except through the Word of God.

    3. The born-again spirit only believes the Word. It doesn’t believe the sensory mechanisms, unlike the body and soul.

  2. When we become born again, our spirits are re-born (made new).

    1. The re-born spirit of man is holy, righteous, and perfect.

      1. The Holy Spirit dwells within the re-born spirit.

      2. The re-born spirit cannot sin, although the body and soul can (1 John 1:5-10).

      3. We must understand the functionality of the spirit, soul, and body.

      4. We must also learn how God makes provision for us through the power that is resident in our spirits.

  3. In order to tap into the power within our spirits, our thinking must agree with the Word of God.

    1. When the soul and spirit are in sync, the spirit becomes the dominating force in a person’s life.

      1. The power within the born-again spirit can change outside circumstances.

    2. Our lives can be dominated by the soul and body.

      1. However, the soul and body of man is naturally led by the sensory mechanisms.

      2. When we allow the soul and body to dominate us, we are being led only by our physical senses.

      3. When we allow ourselves to be led by the soul and body, we detach from the power within our spirits.

      4. Healing power and divine wisdom abide within the spirit.

  4. The battle is in keeping the mind (ultimately the soul) in agreement with the Word of God.

    1. We often become distracted by the challenges and circumstances that arise in our lives.

      1. The body and soul are affected by the senses.

      2. Therefore, when we face a challenge, the body and soul try to dominate us.

      3. The dominance of our soul and body causes us to be led by our senses instead of the Word of God.

      4. God wants us to access the power in our born-again spirits, so the power within us can change our natural circumstances.

      5. When we believe beyond what we see, hear, and touch, we believe with our spirits.

    2. Satan attacks the mind to separate us from the power that lies within our spirits.

      1. In the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Adam and Eve by enticing their senses.

      2. The enemy also tried to tempt Jesus in the same manner; however, Jesus defeated him with the Word.

      3. Satan caused Adam and Eve to question their identity. He tempted Jesus the same way.

      4. The enemy tries to lead us astray by attacking our mind (through the senses).

      5. In addition, Satan wants to deceive us and get us to question our identity.

    3. As Jesus demonstrated, we must know the Word so that we can use it to defeat Satan’s strategies.

Scripture References:

  • 1 John 1:5-10

Pastor Robert Bagonza

Senior Pastor Redeemed Church
www.mrolec.org