SPIRIT AND SOUL
By Michael
A. H. Back
Spirit and soul are
separate words in the Bible.
SPIRIT: In the New
Testament, the word is 
(pneuma - "pnew-ma"), which means "spirit" and
comes from a root meaning a strong wind, or a forceful
blowing of the breath. In
the Old Testament the word is 
(ruach - "roo-ahk"), which means almost exactly the same
thing as the New Testament pneuma.
SOUL: In the New
Testament, the word is 
(psuche
- "psoo-kay"), which means "soul" and comes from
a root meaning a gentle, cool breeze, or to breathe gently and
quietly. In the Old Testament the word is 
(nephesh - "nehf-ehsh"), which comes from a root that means
exactly the same as psuche, and strictly means "soul, vitality,
or breathing creature."
Scripture indicates, as
they relate to people, they are two aspects of the same spiritual
"body," and that humans possess both a spirit and a soul,
animals possess only a soul, and angels and demons possess only a
spirit. While scripture never specifically tells EXACTLY what a soul
and spirit are, and exactly how they differ, it does give some
interesting clues about what they are and what some of their
differences are.
That the two words are
different is pretty clear from scriptures that use both in the same
verse, and the different ways each is used.
SOUL
It seems that the soul is
or represents that part of our being which was corrupted by sin and
appears to be linked to our normal emotions (this could be symbolic,
kind of like linking our emotions to our heart).
The soul is frequently
used to indicate our natural life (usually from the perspective of
simply "being alive"). Along with this, it is frequently
translated simply "life," and seems to be the part of us
that "powers" or "gives life to" a physical body.
There are a seven
scriptures in the Old Testament in which God talks about "my
soul," and all of them are in the context of God feeling very
strong emotions (Leviticus 26:11, 30; Isaiah 42:1; Jeremiah 5:9, 6:8,
9:9; Zechariah 11:8). In the New Testament, soul is used of God two
times (Matthew 12:18; Hebrews 10:38); both of which are direct or
indirect quotes of these scriptures from the Old Testament. As to
whether this means God has a literal soul, or if it is being used
symbolically (such as when we speak of feeling things with our
heart), is unknown. Other than that, soul is never used in reference
to God.
Soul is never used of
angels or demons (although it IS used of people after they die). This
is, just one of many proofs that the belief that angels or evil
spirits are "dead people" is not supported in scripture.
Soul is NEVER contrasted
with the "flesh." That is, there are no scriptures that
indicate the soul is communicating God's righteous will to us, and is
warring with our sinful desire (represented by the flesh). This
contrast IS used with spirit. It is exactly the opposite with the
soul: it is LINKED to our sinful, fleshly desires.
Soul is occasionally used
of the "life force" of animals.
SPIRIT
In general, it seems that
the spirit is that part which communicates with and hears from God,
and it seems to be the seat, or the symbol, of the "mind"
("thinking" is occasionally linked to the spirit, although
this could be figurative in a similar way that linking the emotions
to the soul could be figurative). The spirit is occasionally used to
indicate our natural life (usually indicating that we are eternal,
and continue to exist after death).
The spirit is used in
reference to God ("spirit of the Lord"), specifically in
the name of one member of the Trinity ("Holy Spirit"), and
of angels and "evil spirits." From all indications in the
Bible, angels, both holy and fallen, have spirits, but not souls.
The spirit is also used
to indicate when we are completely overcome by an emotion, attitude,
or feeling, primarily when indicating those emotions originate from
God or Satan ("spirit of compassion," "spirit of
fear," "spirit of error"). It is also used to indicate
when a person's actions, character, or person can be "summed
up" with one particular trait ("spirit of justice,"
"spirit of truth").
The spirit is frequently
contrasted with the flesh. In these instances, it is indicating that
the spirit is communicating God's will to us and represents holiness
and righteousness, while the flesh represents our sinful desire. The
spirit is never used of animals. From all indications in the Bible,
animals have souls, but not spirits.
SOUL AND SPIRIT
Scripture tends to talk
about death a little differently with each word. The soul dies, or is
lost (occasionally "departs"), and if raised up from the
dead, becomes alive. It should be understood that when speaking of a
person, however, that the soul does not "cease to exist"
when it dies (as scriptures below will prove). It DOES, however, seem
to cease to exist when the soul of an animal dies.
The spirit leaves, is
released, or if the life is restored, the spirit returns. Both are
part of our "spiritual being," and are eternal (both soul
and spirit are used of the believers in heaven who have been
martyred). So we know the soul does not literally die (that is, cease
to exist). The difference in wording emphasizes how the soul is that
thing which actually gives life to a physical body, while the spirit
seems to be the part that thinks and reasons, and communicates with
God. As such, the words translated "soul" (psuche and
nephesh) are occasionally translated "life" in scripture.
A spirit without a soul
is eternal. The soul is our physical life force (it powers a physical
body), but in combination with a spirit, it is more than that, and a
soul/spirit combination is also eternal. However, a soul without a
spirit is not eternal. Thus animals have a soul, but are NOT eternal.
Humans have both, and are eternal.
The scripture indicates
that a soul and spirit cannot actually be separated (which is what
would happen if the "soul part" literally ceases to exist
at death), which is why the scripture that talks about the Word of
God being able to separate soul and spirit stands out. Kind of like
"God's Word is so piercing, it can cut through and divide the
indivisible." Otherwise that scripture loses its punch. They are
not literally separable, but figuratively, the Word of God can slice
them asunder (meaning the Word of God cuts deeper into our spirit and
soul, separating holy from impure, than anything else). The word of
God draws clear, black and white, good vs. bad lines in our
conscience, and that is what reveals our deepest sins, and leads us
to complete repentance.
Also, since soul is never
used of evil spirits and of angels, it indicates they never had
physical bodies. Since they do not have a soul now, they never had a
soul, as the two cannot be separated. Just as with angels, who are
only called SPIRITS, demons are called "unclean SPIRITS" or
"evil SPIRITS." They don't have a part to their
"being" that once produced life in a physical body. Beings
(such as Angels) who are described as being spirits only can APPEAR
in physical form, but their physical bodies at that time are NOT like
ours (needing rest, food, air, water, etc.). There is no indication,
for example, that an angel in physical form can be "killed."
A true physical body (one that is BORN) appears to require a soul to
"power" it.
SPIRITUAL BEINGS
Angels (both holy and
fallen) are called spirits. Angels are never called "souls."
Fallen angels are called
evil spirits, unclean spirits, and demons. When directly interacting
with people, or possessing them, they are sometimes called familiar
spirits. Fallen angels have lots of powers, tactics, and weapons that
they use against people (see the article on Satan for a more complete
discussion of this topic), including being able to inhabit (possess)
unsaved people.
Demons, or evil spirits,
are never called 'souls.' As such, we know they never had physical
bodies, but are fallen angels.
---------------------
Some
people have stopped calling it "demon possession," and have
started saying "demonized," the implication being that the
demon is not actually inside the person, but just in complete control
of the person. The problem is that the scriptures specifically
indicate that when a person is "possessed," the demons are
cast OUT of the person. Likewise, they are said to enter INTO a
person. There is not one example in the Bible of a saved person being
possessed by a demon.
A SAMPLING OF
SCRIPTURES ABOUT EVIL SPIRITS
2 Kings 21:6 "And he
made his son to pass through the fire, and practiced augury, and used
enchantments, and dealt with them that had FAMILIAR SPIRITS, and with
wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him
to anger."
Matthew 10:1 "And he
called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over
UNCLEAN SPIRITS, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease
and all manner of sickness."
Luke 7:21 "In that
hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and EVIL SPIRITS; and on
many that were blind he bestowed sight."
Luke 8:2 "...and
certain women who had been healed of EVIL SPIRITS and infirmities:
Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven DEMONS had gone out..."
Acts 19:15 "And the
EVIL SPIRIT answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I
know, but who are you?"
1 Timothy 4:1 "But
the Spirit said expressly, that in later times some shall fall away
from the faith, giving heed to SEDUCING SPIRITS and doctrines of DEMONS..."
Revelation 16:13 "And
I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of
the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three UNCLEAN
SPIRITS, as it were frogs: for they are SPIRITS OF DEMONS, working
signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather
them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty."
SUMMARY
A spirit alone is eternal
(but indicates the "being" was never physical).
A soul/spirit combination
is eternal (and indicates that being once had physical life)
A soul alone is ONLY
physical life, and not eternal (ceases to exist after death).
The soul is, or
represents, that part of us that is sinful, and desires to do evil.
The soul also gives life to the physical body.
The spirit is, or
represents, that part of us that communicates with God, and through
the Holy Spirit, pushes us to be righteous and holy. Our
"conscience" is the result of God communicating with our
spirits. The spirit is also that part that makes us eternal beings.
The word spirit is
used of angels (both holy and fallen). Fallen angels are frequently
called evil spirits, unclean spirits, and demons. When an evil spirit
communicates with or inhabits a person, it is frequently called a
'familiar spirit.' Fallen angels can possess (inhabit) the bodies of
people, but there is no indication that they can do this to believer
(light and darkness cannot be in the same place).
Click
here for more scriptures on the Spirit and Soul.
