The human soul is the sentient part of man by which he/she perceives, desires interprets and feels his/her surroundings. Because of this the soul has become very precious to man. It is in the soul that the activity of the sin nature is exercised. In the soul of the redeemed holiness is effectual. The soul is the battleground of the flesh (sin nature) and Spirit. One is said to be "soulish" when he/she is driven by his/her lusts and appetites. One is said to be "spiritual" when one follows the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit of God.

The heart is the center, or core, of a person. It is the seat of the intellect, emotions and will. But it is the soul that gathers information, acts upon a decision and emotes the response to stimulation. The heart may govern the soul but the soul is the heart's informant and agent.

The body of each individual is animated by the soul and the spirit. The body is the material organism which is used by the soul and spirit to interact with its earthly environment.

The body is neither moral nor immoral. The soul can be either moral or immoral. The spirit is the imprint of God in man and is that feature of man that relates to God morally. The soul of a person "conducts" his/her individual life. If the sin principle is dominant and active in the soul, wickedness and every kind of evil is possible and death is emminant. However, if the soul is "born again" of the Spirit by faith, then the person is said to be "dead to sin and alive to God." In this case, the conduct of the soul would line up with God's standards and practices. The soul will conduct itself by what the heart believes.

In trying to define the heart, body, soul and spirit and their activities, let us remember there is no clear demarkation line between them. They are intimately entertwined and inter-dependent of each other for the living of the life that God has given each of us. Think about it.

“Chesed” means “faithful love.” God and His people belong together because we are both involved in the love relationship. When we say to God, “You are my God and I am your people,” from the heart, God takes you at your word and acts on it. Out of His faithful love, He makes a covenant with us, an eternal covenant. Because eternity is in His heart, everything that comes forth from it is eternally significant. God’s faithful love insures His communion with us, His deliverance, enablement, enlightenment, guidance, forgiveness, hope, praise, and preservation of those who “love Him and obey His commandments.” And, I, am I the loyal, trustworthy Bride or is harlotry hidden in my heart? “Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Thy lovingkindness {chesed} is before my eyes . . .” Psalm 26. Think about it.

What is God’s grace? We have all heard God’s grace defined as “unmerited favor” or “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense” (an acrostic), but these are only tidbits compared to the banquet of God’s grace. Here’s an expanded definition: The pre-determined extension of His communion, deliverance, forgiveness, enlightenment, guidance, hope, praise, preservation and enablement to those who belong with Him and to Him. Not only must we realize that “God is for us” as Saint Paul says, but we must receive what that is, all that it is because God intends for us to have it. He “pre-determined” that His children should have it and so included it in His covenant through Jesus Christ. It is by faith we receive His grace and employ, as well as, enjoy it.
If God did not spare even His own Son in order to shed His grace on us, then why would He ever withhold it from us when we need it in time of trouble? He never will! “If God is for us, who is against us?” In the face of His grace, how do we answer? Selah

For the Christian, the recognition and acceptance of the authority of Jesus Christ over his/her life is paramount to his/her well-being, witness and future reward. The staff of the shepherd is the instrument for executing his authority over the direction of the sheep. In Psalm 23, the Lord is called “shepherd.” His “staff” is His authority over each life that “makes me,” “leads me,” “restores my soul,” and “guides me.” And, if we submit to His authority over us, we will be led down the “right” path, finding “the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” and our eternal home. Selah

The law of the Lord reveals God’s holiness. The soul of the wayward is guided, by the law, back to the straight path of righteousness and the “good pasture” of communion with God. Selah.