From “Uproar In The Church”
One critical area for discernment is the division between that which is spiritual and that which is soulish. Unfortunately, for many English readers the reality of this division is obscured by inconsistencies in translation from the original Greek. The Greek word for “spiritual” is pneumatikos formed directly from pneuma, the word for “spirit.” Exactly corresponding, the Greek word for “soulish” is psuchikos, formed directly from psuche, the word for “soul.”
In English, pneumatikos is always translated “spiritual.” Correspondingly, the natural translation for psuchikos would be “soulish.” But since this is not a normal English word, various other words are usede.g. “natural,” or “carnal,” or “worldly,” or “sensual.” The problem is that these different translations give the impression that different Greek words are used. They tend to obscure two facts: First, that soulish is an important and distinctive New Testament concept. Second, that the soulish and the spiritual are often in conflict with one another.
The soul is the area in which man’s natural reason and emotions function. This is quite different from the way that man’s regenerated spirit is designed to function. The contrast-and in fact, the opposition-between the two is clearly brought out in I Corinthians 2:14, 15:
- But the natural [soulish] man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, be cause they are spiritually discerned.But he who is spiritual judges all things …
The conclusion is clear. Both the spiritual and the soulish man are found among the people of God. The spiritual man is at home in the things of the Holy Spirit and responds appropriately to them. On the other hand, the soulish man cannot apprehend the things of the Holy Spirit, but by his reaction distorts and debases them. The only instrument sharp enough and sensitive enough to distinguish between the spiritual and the soulish is the word of God.
- For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
This is why correct discernment is possible only for Christians who have become mature through regular feeding on the “solid food” of Scripture. The failure to distinguish between the spiritual and the soulish can have disastrous consequences.
ALL COMMENTS WELCOME
very good…Yes I find these soulish religous peaple all the time…They are in high places of government and also the church….They are in a position to show off thier works of the Law, and try to impose that on those of us who are Praising the LORD for the freedom of His Holy Spirit and GRACE. GRACE is forever, Its all what HE has finished, and all we recieve His Gifts by
grace and Faith He has given to us, we merit nothing,we add nothing and take nothing away from what Jesus has done…This is the gift of the Holy Spirit by His Grace and THIS IS THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE SOULISH PERSON ATTENDING CHURCH AND THOSE OF WHO LIVE BY FAITH BY HIS GRACE and the Holy Spirit and GRACE are ONE….Freedom ,Amen ,Freedon
in Jesus Name….Joy unpeakable and full of Glory….GRACE RULES.
WE love you all…..Bro Joe…so be it