1= Spirit 2= Soul 3=Body
Man is divided into three separate and distinct divisions. This truth in illustrated in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The three divisions are identified as spirit, soul, and body. They could be illustrated in many ways, but for the purpose of this example, they will be illustrated in the diagram above. To quote Watchman Nee, “God dwells in the Spirit, self dwells in the Soul, and the senses dwell in the Body.” Although the lines that distinguish and divide them are virtually indistinguishable, all three exist because of what the scriptures state. The Spirit is where God dwells and is the source of life within man. (Genesis 2:7; 2 Corinthians 3:17)
Zechariah 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him…
The Spirit: Conscience
Even though the spirit of man is dead in its natural fallen state of being, it houses within it the conscience, intuition, and communion.
The conscience is a sense of what is right or wrong in one’s thoughts, actions, or motives. It is the discerning tool for right and wrong. The work of the conscience is independent and direct. Conscience is not to be confused with your ability to reason. Before regeneration, your reasoning often overrides your conscience and helps you to justify your sinful behavior. The evidence for the conscience is in the following scriptures: Romans 8:16; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 10:22.
1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,…
The Spirit: Intuition
The intuition is the perception organ in the human spirit. It is independent of any outside influence. It is knowledge that comes to you without any help from the mind, emotion, or volition (a.k.a. the will). It is a keen sense that manifests quickly. You know through your intuition; you understand through your mind. The evidence for the intuition is in the following scriptures: Matthew 26:41; Mark 2:8.
1 Corinthians 2:11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
The Spirit: Communion
Communion is the ability to and act of worshiping God. It is brought about by the transformation and regeneration of the repentant sinner. Communion directly corresponds with the regeneration of your spirit with the Holy Spirit. Holy Communion can only occur in the Spirit of the inner man and that only after being born again. It is independent and not associated with your carnal thoughts, emotions, or intentions. The will, intellect, emotions, or personality of unregenerate man cannot worship God on his own. It can, however, be active in unregenerate man as he worships evil principalities and powers that reside here on earth. It does not relate with the soul or carnal nature of man. The evidence for communion is in the following scriptures: Luke 1:47; John 4:23; Romans 8:15.
Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,…
The Soul
The soul is complex because housed within it is the mind, will, emotions, personality, and intellect. The soul will serve either the Spirit or the sinful nature because it always remains neutral. Whichever is ruling or reigning, the Spirit or the sinful nature, will control the soul. The soul houses the will. You are free to decide who or what you will serve. This explains your ability to have free will or choice. You were originally created to exercise your free will to love God but when the fall of man occurred, you exercised it and directed it toward yourself, rather than God. Man was created morally innocent, not morally perfect. The evidence for the free choice of man is in the following scriptures: Joshua 24:15; Romans 6:11-12.
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
The heart is often closely referred to in the same way as the soul and there is not always a clear differentiation between the two. You are told to guard it with all care. Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
The Body
The body is like the unregenerate heart; it can never be redeemed and will be done away with at the time of regeneration and reconciliation with God, face to face. God makes a new body in order to coexist with Him. (1 Corinthians 15:50, 53-55; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 1:29; 1 John 3:2)
Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
After being born again, you are commanded to honor God with your body because He purchased it.
1 Corinthians 6:15-20 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two,” He says, "shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Everything will be created new. Revelation 21:5 "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-2)