Area 1 – Your Core
This area represents a God-shaped vacuum that only God can fill or fit into. This area houses the spirit of man. The spirit within man remains dead until he becomes “born again.” Only God can give life to the spirit of man. It is totally separate from the soul and body and when transformed, allows man to communicate with God. Only man has the ability and the desire to communicate with his Creator. Only man has a spirit that can be transformed and made alive. On the other hand, every living thing has a soul. Until God fills this core, you are preoccupied with self and left trying to fill it with the pursuit of anything else that would bring you pleasure. (John 4:24; Genesis 2:7; John 3:6; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13; John 6:53, 63)
Zechariah 12:1 This is the word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him,…
Area 2 – Your Sexuality
This area is housed in your soul. Sexuality is the second most important area within man. It is what God gave to mankind to fulfill His relationship between man and woman. It is symbolic of the link that Jesus has with the church and is to mirror the image of what a husband and wife are to share and project to the world in their marriage. You are called to nourish, guard, tenderly care for, keep pure, and dedicate your sexuality to one person only. Sexual immorality is the only sin you commit against the temple of God, which is your body. This area is so close to the center of your being or essence, that when awakened, if not governed by God, it soon enslaves your soul and rules your body. If not controlled, it will grow worse and worse in its downward path of lust. (Ephesians 4:22)
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
Area 3 – Your Conscience and Will
This area is also housed in your soul. Your conscience and will allows you the ability to process interrelational issues within you. It is the place where your morals and values are developed. Before Christ, your morals and values are governed and exampled by your parents and authorities over you. You then make your judgments according to the foundation that has been built within you. At conversion, you surrender and submit these areas to the rule and reign of Jesus, who then begins the ongoing process of conforming and transforming them into His image. For a clear definition of what you are like before conversion in body and soul, read Romans, Chapters 1-3. (Hebrews 10:22)
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,…
Area 4 – Your Emotions
This area houses your creative and expressive abilities. The line between the two is indistinguishable. Your emotions allow you to develop and express your God-given personality traits. Remember, you were created in the image and likeness of God, and God has given you emotions to balance your nature and character. The nature and character areas are observed by the expression of your personality. Before conversion, this area (your emotions) is governed by the flesh and, at times, holds you in bondage. After conversion, it is governed either by the Spirit of God or by the flesh. Emotions were given as a way for mankind to reflect the image and goodness of God. The original purpose of emotions was to enhance the holiness and delight of our relationship with God. After the fall, they became clouded and began to reign and rule over the affairs of man. This resulted because of the fall and the corruption of the heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Only the Word of God can bring separation between the spirit and soul of man. The soul houses the senses (emotions) of man and must be surrendered to the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 4:12)
James states that your carnal nature houses envy, self-centeredness, and bitterness, and that unless controlled by the Spirit of God, you will be thrust into confusion and influenced by the world, the devil, and every ungodly thing. James 3:14-16, “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
The word sensual could be translated feelings, emotions, or soul.
Another symptom and effect is listed in 1 Corinthians and gives you insight into the works of your carnal nature. Notice that carnality hinders the growth and maturing process within you and causes the works of envy, strife, and divisions among you. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?”
Area 5 – Your External Relationships
This area houses your ability to develop outside relationships with others. Until transformation and regeneration takes place through Christ, this area remains focused upon itself.
Narcissism is intrinsic to the flesh and cannot be overcome without the love of God to replace it. From the moment you are born again or transformed and renewed by the Spirit of God, you struggle with this issue and the Godly command to love others just as much as you already love yourself. (Mark 12:29-31; John 13:34-35; Ephesians 5:29)
Luke 9:23-24 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”