Good conversation and a good cup of coffee = the best day ever!
(Photo by Lisa R.)
So today I have been having a very interesting discussion with a fellow blogger. It all started when, I posted my devotion, Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. I have been going through the Bible, book by book, and this morning I landed on 1 Timothy 4. Verses 7-10 was the topic of my morning post. In it I talked about the fact that physical training is good for some things, but limited. While spiritual training is good for everything and limitless. The discussion going back and forth between this blogger and I stems from this question: Are the mind and the spirit the same? For me the answer is no. For him it is yes. I like the back and forth we have been having, it has made we truly think about what I believe and why. I see the mind as part of our physical (brain). I see the spirit as the “real us” the part of our existence where God dwells when we let Him in. Two me these are two very different things. I don’t see anything in the Bible to contradict my belief (but I have been known to be wrong…a lot 🙂 ). So for today’s post I wanted to throw out the question to those of you who read my posts and see what your point of view is: Are the mind and the spirit the same?
“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).
So what am I thankful for today? Healthy discussion that helps us grow. Thank you raphaelu22 @ http://thoughtstothesky.wordpress.com. Today you helped me remember that my walk is one that requires knowledge.
Dr. Mario Rivera taught me that just as The Trinity is triune – Father, Son and Holy Ghost – so are we triune in multiple ways. First we are spirit, soul and body. Second, our soul is triune – intellect, will and emotions. So my perspective is our intellect is the part of our soul that contains what we have been taught and know. Our emotions, “heart”, is the part of our soul and contains what we desire and what we believe and this does this does not always line up with what we know or have been taught. Our will is our ability to choose between the 2 and our Heavenly Father gave it to us because He wanted to be loved unconditionally rather than us not having a choice in the matter and being “programmed” to love Him or forced to “love” Him. I remember the first time this revelation came to me. I was so stunned by it. The reason I, each of us, want so desperately to be loved unconditionally is because we are just like our Father. Our Heavenly Father wants to set us free from where our intellects and hearts are at odds. Example: I know (have been taught) God is loving and kind; but if I am honest my heart doesn’t really believe that at all times. God wants to bring revelation about where our heart has been wounded and faulty beliefs about Him have come in about Him. He does that by showing us what we believe and why. He also shows us the truth about who He is in His word and by His Spirit communing with our spirit. He then allows us with our will to choose with which we will agree. Voila – the truth will set you free. More on this on my blog. Go to the “My Journey” page and check out “Building Blocks”. I was going to say my “2 cents” … but perhaps this is more like a nickel 🙂
🙂 Thanks for the nickel! I agree with everything you have said. I believe we are triune, because we are created in God’s image.I also believe that our mind is the instrument that learns God’s will, but I believe that it learns from the Spirit (God’s spirit when He comes to dwell to inside our spirit). I will be checking out your “Building Blocks” post, I am sure I will learn a lot from it. Thanks for posting your answer. It has given me a different perspective to seek from. 🙂
Here is the link to Building Blocks http://wp.me/p2hybl-1T . Another post that deals with what we know and what we believe is “Oh the secrets we keep” http://wp.me/p2hybl-2T . I would love to hear your thoughts 🙂 Have a great day!
Thank you!
Separate. Our Spirit is perfect. When we accept Christ our Spirit is literally merged with Christ and made perfect. Our “flesh” is Sin. Our Mind is in between. Literally choosing moment by moment to Live and Rest in our Spirit or our Flesh.
I like the statement that our minds chooses moment to moment whether it will follow the will of the Spirit. I understand that war, when God’s is leading, but I am fighting. Thank you for the comment.
That’s a great question. It would seem that the spirit and mind are separate, I’m thinking. Jesus said to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Since at rebirth, we are given a new heart (the old stony one replaced), and that before this took place we were considered spiritually dead…it appears that this is where our spirit can be found.
In the meantime, we’re told to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind.” This part is our responsibility.
On the other hand, David said, “Create in me a clean HEART, and renew a right SPIRIT within me.” That seems to negate everything I just said!
Maybe the spirit is an add-on (?) since the old spirit was dead.
I dunno! I think I’ll leave the cogitating to those who are better equipped … and just love Jesus!
\o/
I’m with you…let’s just love JESUS. 🙂