As Your Soul Prospers
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2
What is the soul and how does it prosper? The soul of man consists of the emotions, the mind, and the will. The emotions consist of affections, desire, feelings, and sensing. The mind houses the intellect (reasoning and understanding objectively), and volition is the power of using one's will. The soul is man’s natural life and is in opposition to the spiritual life.
The spiritual life consists of intuition, communion, and conscience. Intuition is having a direct sense or feeling in our spirit, regardless of reason or circumstance (2 Corinthians 2:11). Communion is fellowship with God, and conscience is a God-given capacity to sense right and wrong. (1 Peter 3:16)
So, now that we see both sides of the coin, soul and spirit, let’s look at how the soul prospers. Keeping in mind that the soul is the natural man, before and after salvation; and the spirit life has to be developed. The spirit life is a result of choices. Going back to 3 John 1:2, it says prosperity and health is a result of the soul prospering. I have been meditating on this for awhile now because my body has been going through changes. If I am not healthy does that mean that some portion of my soul is not prospering? Are my emotions out of whack? Is my mind and will off track?
The mind is a battlefield. One author says, “Our thoughts have the power to paralyze or motivate us, to thrust us into the depths of despair or propel us to the heights of celebration. They can center us in truth or lead us, slowly but steadily down the destructive path of deception.” Is it any wonder that we need to have the mind of Christ? We need to take our thoughts captive, not allowing our mind to do its own thing. Do more reading, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture, give our minds food for thought. Spend consistent time in the presence of Christ is another means for developing the mind of Christ. Is my mind prospering, I wonder?
The will of the natural man should line up with the will of God. Am I to wrapped up in what I want to do instead of what God wants me to do? My attitude should be “nevertheless your will be done”. (Luke 22:42) Even when you do not know what God’s will is, the nevertheless will not fail you if you are willing to do His will. (John 7:17) Emotions could be the area that is out of control in my life. Affections, desires, feeling and sensing all come into play with life circumstances that need to be addressed. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth, Colossians 3:2. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled, Matthew 5:6. Think on these things, Philippians 4:8-9.
I want my soul to prosper to the glory of God.
What is the soul and how does it prosper? The soul of man consists of the emotions, the mind, and the will. The emotions consist of affections, desire, feelings, and sensing. The mind houses the intellect (reasoning and understanding objectively), and volition is the power of using one's will. The soul is man’s natural life and is in opposition to the spiritual life.
The spiritual life consists of intuition, communion, and conscience. Intuition is having a direct sense or feeling in our spirit, regardless of reason or circumstance (2 Corinthians 2:11). Communion is fellowship with God, and conscience is a God-given capacity to sense right and wrong. (1 Peter 3:16)
So, now that we see both sides of the coin, soul and spirit, let’s look at how the soul prospers. Keeping in mind that the soul is the natural man, before and after salvation; and the spirit life has to be developed. The spirit life is a result of choices. Going back to 3 John 1:2, it says prosperity and health is a result of the soul prospering. I have been meditating on this for awhile now because my body has been going through changes. If I am not healthy does that mean that some portion of my soul is not prospering? Are my emotions out of whack? Is my mind and will off track?
The mind is a battlefield. One author says, “Our thoughts have the power to paralyze or motivate us, to thrust us into the depths of despair or propel us to the heights of celebration. They can center us in truth or lead us, slowly but steadily down the destructive path of deception.” Is it any wonder that we need to have the mind of Christ? We need to take our thoughts captive, not allowing our mind to do its own thing. Do more reading, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture, give our minds food for thought. Spend consistent time in the presence of Christ is another means for developing the mind of Christ. Is my mind prospering, I wonder?
The will of the natural man should line up with the will of God. Am I to wrapped up in what I want to do instead of what God wants me to do? My attitude should be “nevertheless your will be done”. (Luke 22:42) Even when you do not know what God’s will is, the nevertheless will not fail you if you are willing to do His will. (John 7:17) Emotions could be the area that is out of control in my life. Affections, desires, feeling and sensing all come into play with life circumstances that need to be addressed. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth, Colossians 3:2. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled, Matthew 5:6. Think on these things, Philippians 4:8-9.
I want my soul to prosper to the glory of God.
