Different Soul
Different Soul
Have you ever heard the phrase, “You can’t have one without the other?”
The Spirit
The spirit is the part of us that connects with God. It gives us the ability to have an intimate relationship with Him.
The Soul
The soul is the essence of who we are, our life, our very being. While our spirit connects us to God, our soul makes up our identity and existence.
As Christians:
Our soul is different because the Holy Spirit directs us toward eternal life.
Where does that come from? From the unction of the Spirit, an anointing of the Holy Spirit that we cannot produce ourselves.
That unction within my spirit transforms my soul. It settles the most important question of all:
Is my soul going to heaven or hell?
The Spirit within me answers that question.
Do you ever feel like life is pressing in from every side?
Maybe you’re in the middle of a storm right now:
But here’s the question:
What if brokenness is exactly what it takes to experience God more deeply?
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal
Paul doesn’t deny pain or pretend it isn’t real. He acknowledges it but then points us to the hope we have in Christ.
- Loyalty without Trust – Without trust, loyalty disappears.
- Wisdom without Experience – Real wisdom grows out of lived experiences.
- Success without Sacrifice – We don’t stumble into success; it’s built through sacrifice.
- Soul without Spirit – Our soul can’t truly live without the Spirit of God.
The Spirit
The spirit is the part of us that connects with God. It gives us the ability to have an intimate relationship with Him.
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24
The Soul
The soul is the essence of who we are, our life, our very being. While our spirit connects us to God, our soul makes up our identity and existence.
As Christians:
- We don’t live like the world.
- We don’t focus on what the world focuses on.
- And because of that, we don’t belong to this world.
Our soul is different because the Holy Spirit directs us toward eternal life.
Where does that come from? From the unction of the Spirit, an anointing of the Holy Spirit that we cannot produce ourselves.
That unction within my spirit transforms my soul. It settles the most important question of all:
Is my soul going to heaven or hell?
The Spirit within me answers that question.
Do you ever feel like life is pressing in from every side?
Maybe you’re in the middle of a storm right now:
- Physical pain.
- Emotional exhaustion.
- Mental stress.
But here’s the question:
What if brokenness is exactly what it takes to experience God more deeply?
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal
Paul doesn’t deny pain or pretend it isn’t real. He acknowledges it but then points us to the hope we have in Christ.
Big Idea: A Different Soul, Gives Us Different Focus
1. Outward Struggles, Inward Strength
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Life has a way of wearing us down, physically, emotionally, and mentally. But while the outside may be breaking down, God is faithfully renewing us from the inside out.
God Renews You from the Inside Out
Think about it like a deep cut: doctors don’t just stitch the surface. They stitch the inside first so the wound can heal properly from the inside out. In the same way, God works in the hidden places of your soul before the healing shows on the outside.
Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even when life strips you down, God is building you up within.
Strength Comes Through Surrender
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
True inner strength doesn’t come from pushing harder or striving on our own. It comes from surrendering to God and allowing His renewing grace to work in us.
The Holy Spirit is strengthening your soul, shaping you into someone who can outlast any storm.
If our soul is being renewed daily, then what’s the purpose behind our pain?
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Life has a way of wearing us down, physically, emotionally, and mentally. But while the outside may be breaking down, God is faithfully renewing us from the inside out.
God Renews You from the Inside Out
Think about it like a deep cut: doctors don’t just stitch the surface. They stitch the inside first so the wound can heal properly from the inside out. In the same way, God works in the hidden places of your soul before the healing shows on the outside.
Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even when life strips you down, God is building you up within.
Strength Comes Through Surrender
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
True inner strength doesn’t come from pushing harder or striving on our own. It comes from surrendering to God and allowing His renewing grace to work in us.
The Holy Spirit is strengthening your soul, shaping you into someone who can outlast any storm.
If our soul is being renewed daily, then what’s the purpose behind our pain?
2. Temporary Troubles, Eternal Glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
What you’re going through right now is preparing you for something greater. Don’t quit, keep pressing on!
There’s an old poem often found on the wall of nursing homes. It’s called Don’t Quit (author unknown):
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re traveling seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is strange with all its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Trials Are Training Us for His Glory
James 1:2-3
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
God doesn’t waste your pain. He uses it to strengthen your soul and to proclaim His glory.
Glory Outweighs the Grind
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
You may feel crushed right now, but your future glory is weightier than today’s affliction. The real you, the soul God is shaping, is being built to outlast the storm.
How do we stay strong and centered while everything around us is shaking?
Answer: By choosing where we place our focus.
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
What you’re going through right now is preparing you for something greater. Don’t quit, keep pressing on!
There’s an old poem often found on the wall of nursing homes. It’s called Don’t Quit (author unknown):
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re traveling seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is strange with all its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Trials Are Training Us for His Glory
James 1:2-3
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
God doesn’t waste your pain. He uses it to strengthen your soul and to proclaim His glory.
Glory Outweighs the Grind
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
You may feel crushed right now, but your future glory is weightier than today’s affliction. The real you, the soul God is shaping, is being built to outlast the storm.
How do we stay strong and centered while everything around us is shaking?
Answer: By choosing where we place our focus.
3. Different Focus, Different Soul
2 Corinthians 4:18
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal
A different soul, one led by the Holy Spirit, is formed when you stop chasing what fades and start focusing on what lasts. That’s the kind of soul God is shaping in you.
Look Beyond the Temporary
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
A soul anchored in eternity doesn’t drift with every wave of life.
Faith Sees What Eyes Can’t
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
The Holy Spirit shapes our soul not by what our eyes can see, but by what our hearts believe. While the world without the Spirit chases after what is visible and fleeting, God calls us to live for what is unseen and eternal.
Remember This:
A different soul is formed when you stop chasing what fades and start focusing on what lasts.
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal
A different soul, one led by the Holy Spirit, is formed when you stop chasing what fades and start focusing on what lasts. That’s the kind of soul God is shaping in you.
Look Beyond the Temporary
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
A soul anchored in eternity doesn’t drift with every wave of life.
Faith Sees What Eyes Can’t
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
The Holy Spirit shapes our soul not by what our eyes can see, but by what our hearts believe. While the world without the Spirit chases after what is visible and fleeting, God calls us to live for what is unseen and eternal.
Remember This:
- Your pain has a purpose.
- Your trials are temporary.
- Your soul is eternal.
A different soul is formed when you stop chasing what fades and start focusing on what lasts.
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