Parts of Man
Part 2
The mind emotion and the will all receive input from
[a] the body (taste, smell, sight, sound & other sensations such as from the skin, bowels, bladder, gonads, genitalia & stomach)
[b] the soul (our personality, character, identity and memories)
[c] the spirit (conscience & intuition).
The body, the soul and the spirit all contribute to the way we feel (the emotions), what we think (the mind) and what we want (the will)
How does the spirit interact with the mind, the emotions and the will?
The spirit responds to what see and hear, to what we think and to what we say and do. It actually gives us a running commentary. The spirit, however, is intuitive and instantaneous. It validates and confirms our perceptions, our actions and the decisions. Whilst our mind is at work, the spirit is giving us a sense that what we are thinking or feeling or doing is right or wrong, true or false. It works in parallel with the the rational, language based part of our mind. The spirit, however, is not limited by language.
The mind, the emotions and the will receive input from our spirit as well as our soul and body.
As we are conscious of the spirit through our conscience, the spirit is also an important influence on what we think, feel and do.
How does the body interact with the mind, the emotions and the will?
The mind emotions and will are housed within our body. If the brain is injured, this has an enormous impact on our ability to think feel and do things. Delirium, dementia, learning problems, hallucinations, thought disorders, emotional instability and mental retardation are often caused by physical conditions that affect the body.
Our bodies receive internal and external stimuli which the brain processes consciously and unconsciously.
The body, therefore, also contributes to the way we feel (the emotions), what we think (the mind) and what we do (the will)
What about the heart? How does it interact with the mind, the emotions and the will?
The heart an empty place within us where we put our treasure. The things that we love fill our heart. If we are born again, then God lives there by his Spirit. All the other things that we fill our hearts with are like idols.
What is in our heart determines the meaning and direction of our life. If God is in our heart, then His Spirit becomes the standard by which we live and judge things.
Why isn't the heart mentioned in 1Thes 5:23?
Because the heart is just an empty place within us where we put our God or our Idol.
The heart is the dwelling place of the Spirit.
If what is in our heart is not God's Holy Spirit, then it will not be saved.
God will give us the desires or our heart (heaven or hell)!
May God give you your heart's desire.
Is the heart part of our mind emotions or will? Or visa versa?
Yes, the heart could even be considered the root or the source of our thoughts emotions and actions.
It forms the object of our will
It forms the standard by which we judge ourselves and others.
It sets the goal for our lives and hence gives our lives direction.
What is in our heart determines whether we feel a success or a failure.
Is the heart part of our body, soul or spirit? Or visa versa?
The heart is the dwelling place of the our spirit (our conscience) and the Holy Spirit or Evil Spirits.
The Body and Soul are in a sense what our heart is made of but are not what is inside our heart. (Our heart is a vessel and so is our body and soul).
What is the heart?
The heart is an empty place within us where we put the things we treasure most. Our number one treasure should be God and his Word. God comes and lives in our heart by His Spirit when we make him Lord of our lives.
If we love something else more than God, then it becomes an idol. Idols can't save us. There is an evil spirit behind every idol and this is what lives in our heart if we worship the idol.
What happens when we ask Jesus to come into our heart?
His Spirit comes and dwells within our heart and fellowships with our own spirit, enlivening our consciences. This is regeneration or Baptism/Circumcision in the Spirit.
What else can occupy our heart?
Idols. These may be people, your job, your self, your image, your house, your lifestyle, your pastor, your spouse or any God that has been invented by man.
If we are a good person, we have a good Spirit and a good Heart .
Our attitude is more a reflection of our spirit than our soul .
What are the major determinants of personality?
The soul is the major determinate of our personality. When we become a Christian, our spirit is regenerated and then God starts to transform our soul.
What are the main determinants of character?
Our character is really a product of our spirit and our soul. When we become a Christian, our spirit becomes regenerated, then as we turn to God in worship, he fills us with his Spirit and starts transforming our soul, our personality and our character.
What makes us who we are? Is that different from our identity?
Our persona or our individuality gives us an identity. Who we are is thus determined by our body, our soul and our spirit. What is in our heart will ultimately shape us the most.
Do our memories and experiences have anything to do with who we are?
Yes, our memories and experiences also shape our personality and character making us who we are.
Does our birth or our parents have anything to do with who we are?
Yes. Our natural parents do give us an identity. That is why birth certificates are used for identification purposes and why people who are adopted often try to find out who their parents were.
Parents also play an important role in our upbringing which also shapes who we are. Our parents also give us our genes.
What about our genes?
Our genes determine our appearance and sometimes affect our health and our abilities if they are faulty. Therefore, they also help to make us who we are.
When our spirit is regenerated, does that change who we are?
Yes. When our spirit is regenerated we become a child of God.
What does the soul represent?
The soul is who we are.
It is a product of our parents and our upbringing.
When we become a child of God, all this can be transformed.