What is Spiritual Health?
Spiritual health is the collective well-being of our spirit, soul, and body.
In most biblical passages, we are referenced as having only body and spirit or body and soul. However, in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul speaks of the believers of Jesus Christ as having three parts.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 CSB
Spirit
Our spirits are what help us to connect to and communicate with God.
Soul
Our souls are our minds (thoughts), emotions, and will.
Body
Our body is the physical vessel that makes us recognizable. It is the earthly home of our soul.
Why is Spiritual Health Important?
One may ask, why is spiritual health important? First and foremost, God wants the condition of our spiritual health to be good. (3 John 1:2 CSB)
And since we are defining spiritual health here as spirit, soul, and body, it’s important to understand that each one affects the others. The health or lack thereof any of these will impact the quality of our lives.
Relationship with God (Spirit)
Building and maintaining a personal relationship with God is the primary key to a healthy spiritual life. As we pray to God, we open the channel for our spirit to encounter His.
I love this quote by Tony Evans, where he says, “the role of the Holy Spirit is to deliver the mind of Christ”.
The role of the Holy Spirit is to deliver the mind of Christ. ~
Tony Evans
God’s Will vs. Our Own Will (Soul)
If the mind of Christ is delivered through the Holy Spirit, then how do we know God’s thoughts from our own? Well, this is where the soul and spirit connect, or disconnect for that matter.
Similarly to our stomachs, our minds also need nourishment. What we feed our mind influences our thoughts.
Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This is a discipline that requires daily practice.
If you’re anything like me though, it may sometimes be a moment-by-moment process. Because, sheesh! Sometimes it’s hard. I’m just saying.
But anywho, back to where I was going. So…
The Word of God is food for the soul. When we read and meditate on it regularly, the desired result should be the exchange of our thoughts and will for that of God.
His word is alive. It severs our souls from our spirits and it judges the thoughts and the intentions of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).
We discern the origin of our thoughts by comparing them to the word of God.
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 CSB
Temporal vs. Eternal (Body)
God is the sustainer of life but that doesn’t mean we should neglect the temporal body he has given us. He wants us to treat our bodies as a temple. Which means taking heed to the foods we consume and the physical activity in which we engage.
From the heart in our chest flows blood to all of the other organs. A beating heart is an indication that there is life in the body.
From the heart of our soul flows our inward mindset and emotion to the external. How we treat others, the words we say, and what we think are indications of the condition of our soul.
A balanced diet and exercise can improve the condition of our body and our beating heart. But, be that as it may, only a reverent relationship with Christ will improve the spiritual heart deep down in our souls.
It will help us to heal and cope with matters of our hearts as we run this race. Some of these matters include grief, fear, pride, envy, unforgiveness, insecurity, self-worth, **anxiety, **depression, doubt, and trust. Not an exhaustive list but hopefully you get my point.
Though our temporal body is being destroyed day by day, we can thank God that Jesus Christ offers us eternal life through his sacrificial love. (2 Corinthians 4:16 CSB)
May we all strive to be well in every way. May God bless us to prosper in spirit, soul, and body.
How is your spiritual health today? What might you need to do to be well in every way?
**Disclaimer**Joi Beyond The World website and blog include(s) information and encouragement as it relates to God and His Holy Word (“The Bible”). Joi Beyond The World does not provide health care of any kind, including but not limited to physical health care, mental health care, or counseling services. The receipt or use of any information provided by Joi Beyond The World does not constitute a medical or counseling relationship. You agree and acknowledge that this disclaimer shall apply to all content on this site. If you have a medical or mental health issue, contact your own healthcare provider immediately. If you’re experiencing a crisis, text 741-741 or call 988.
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