LESSON TWENTY

DISCERNING SPIRIT FROM SOUL

Scripture Reading: Heb. 4:12; Matt. 16:24, 26; Luke 9:25; Rom. 8:6b, 4; 1 Cor. 6:17

OUTLINE

1. The spirit being concealed in the soul as the marrow is concealed in the joints—Heb. 4:12.
2. The soul needing to be broken that the spirit may be divided from it as the joints need to be broken that the marrow may be divided from them.
3. The composition of the soul—the mind, emotion, and will—needing to be denied.
4. The denial of the mind, emotion, and will being the denial of the self—Matt. 16:24, 26; Luke 9:25.
5. The living and operative word of God exposing and discerning the thoughts of the mind, the intents of the will, and the desires of the emotion—Heb. 4:12.
6. After the breaking of the soul—the denial of the mind, emotion, and will—whatever is left being the spirit.
7. Setting the mind on the spirit—Rom. 6:8b.
8. Walking according to the spirit—Rom. 8:4.
9. Being one with the Lord in the spirit—1 Cor. 6:17.

In this lesson we need to point out to the saints how to discern the spirit from the soul.

I. THE SPIRIT BEING CONCEALED IN THE SOUL
AS THE MARROW IS CONCEALED IN THE JOINTS

Hebrews 4:12 shows that the spirit is concealed in the soul just as the marrow is concealed in the joints. Our spirit is like the marrow, and our soul is like the joints. In other words our spirit is altogether wrapped up, enveloped, in our soul. The soul is the envelope that hides our spirit. So to discern our spirit from our soul, we must know where our spirit is. It is within our soul. Here we can also see the situation of our spirit. Our spirit is surrounded, enclosed by our soul. To discern our spirit from our soul, we need to see the position and situation of our spirit.