The toolbox of success – Mastering the human soul (ii)

As we continue exploring the tools God has given us for success, we dig deeper into mastering the human soul. Saints, it is important to know who we are and how we function in order to walk fully in God’s promises and live victoriously in every area of life; this begins with training our soul to agree with what God has already spoken concerning us. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 teaches us that we are tripartite beings – spirit beings who possess a soul and live in a body. Our spirit is born again, sealed, and filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13); it is the part of us that is God-conscious, always desiring to do the will of God and obey His Word. Our soul, on the other hand, is self-conscious, always seeking comfort, convenience, and self-preservation. The soul fluctuates quite easily – happy one moment and discouraged the next; so we must bring it under the authority of the Word and “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save our souls” (James 1:21).

Saints, the saving of the soul is not a once-off event, but a daily process of mind renewal. Romans 12 exhorts us, saying, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (vs.1-2a). Transformation is not behavior modification or temporary adjustments that crumble under the pressures of life. True transformation happens from the inside out, when the Word reshapes our beliefs, attitudes, and responses “till we come to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Only when the mind is renewed can we “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (vs.2b). Many believers long to know and live out God’s perfect will for them, but struggle simply because their mind has not been stretched enough to comprehend this perfect will. But, church, God wants us to grow so that we can understand and walk in His highest thoughts concerning us (Isaiah 55:8–9). So let us commit ourselves to unlearning old patterns of thinking shaped by fear, past experiences, or worldly systems, and replace them with the Truth of Scripture, so that our lives may be aligned with God’s perfect will for us.

Mastering the soul is a daily journey. Every day we must train our soul to agree with God’s Word and Spirit rather than the flesh, because the quality of our mind determines the direction of our lives. This is why Scripture teaches us that “to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). If our mind is filled with worldly thinking, the soul will side with the flesh unto death and destruction. But if our mind is filled with the Word, our soul will align with the Spirit unto life and peace. This, however, does not mean negative thoughts will stop coming to us – no! But God has given us His Word as a weapon to stop those negative thoughts in their tracks. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is quick and powerful … and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” When our minds are saturated with Scripture, the Word rises faster than fear and stronger than doubt, overcoming those harmful thoughts before they can take root in our minds and hearts. So, church, let us daily take in God’s Word and train our soul to always agree with Him. This is how we master the human soul and begin living in the victory Christ has secured for us.c

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which renews our minds and transforms our lives. We choose to surrender our soul – thoughts, will, and emotions – to Your Truth. Holy Spirit, help us to renew our minds daily so that we may prove Your perfect will, and live in the fullness of the life You have prepared for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.