Written by REVELATIONS FOR TODAY by Pastor Michael Obata
Proverbs 4:23 – New King James Version (NKJV)
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
A lot of people think man is a physical being only. However, the Bible tells us a lot more about the nature of man. And some Christians are not very conscious of their tripartite nature (spirit, soul, and body). The Bible tells us the nature of a human being is made up of three important parts: the spirit, soul, and body. The Bible in Genesis 1:26 & 27 tells us of the creation of the spirit man. In Genesis 2:7 – “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” GOD created the physical human body from the dust of the ground. The “b” part of that same verse tells us how HE created the soul by breathing life into man’s nostrils and he became a living soul. Man can also be categorised as the inner man: spirit and soul; and the outer man: physical body (2 Corinthians 4:16).
As Christians, we must understand our nature and how GOD designed us to operate in these three forms. The scriptures make us understand that the spirit realm controls the physical realm. GOD is SPIRIT and relates with us through our spirit. Our physical body is only a housing case for us to relate with the physical world. Blessed be GOD that has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 1:3). In CHRIST JESUS, we are no longer created in the image but born of the spirit of GOD and therefore sons of GOD (John1:12 & 1 Corinthians 6:17). The real us is our spirit and as a Christian is now one with the spirit of GOD. Our soul (which contains the mind) is the doorway to our spirit and a medium with which our spirit relates to the physical world. The mind is essentially a means to absorb, take advantage and express every blessing and glory our Heavenly FATHER has appropriated to us in CHRIST JESUS here on earth (the physical world). We have been blessed beyond our imagination and the earth has been willed to us as our heritage. Why do some Christians not experience this blessing in the physical world? Why do some Christians still struggle and face overwhelming challenges that they cannot overcome? The scriptures make us understand it is the lack of knowledge of the word of GOD (Hosea 4:6) which provides the right information that will transform their mindset. The scriptures admonish us in Romans 12:2 – not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove the will of GOD for our lives.
The theme verse tells us about guarding our spirit by filtering the kind of information that we allow into it. As a spirit being what is deposited in your spirit is what manifests in your physical life. Positive information from our minds deposited in our spirit will produce positive outcomes in our world. And vice versa. That is essentially why GOD gave us HIS word in the bible to meditate on (Joshua 1:8). The NLT version of the scriptures says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” The heart referred to in this scripture means the spirit of a man. The previous verses from 20 make us understand the importance of the word of GOD which is the truth we must believe and meditate on. Verses 21 & 22 make us understand that the word of GOD should be our focus and our meditation. And it gives us the life (blessings) GOD has prepared for us even makes our body healthy. The heart in verse 22 refers to the mind (soul). Also, important to mention is the word that comes from our mouth which reflects what is deposited in our spirit through our minds. The mouth along with the mind are gifts from GOD to chart the course of our life in line with HIS will and purpose. And verse 24 cautions us to be careful with the words that come from our lips. As Christians let us meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good reports, and praiseworthy which the word of GOD provides.
Scripture meditation
Psalms 1:1-3; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; & Philippians 4:6-8.
Prayer
Glorious FATHER, thank you for creating me in such a special way. Father cause my spirit, soul and body to respond only to your word and your SPIRIT. I receive the grace to overcome the negativity of this world. In JESUS NAME.
Confession
I guard my heart with all diligence and I am walking in the perfect will of GOD.