No Big Deal…Until It is – Healthy Soul

What is the soul?

נֶפֶשׁ “Nephesh” (Hebrew); ψυχή “Psuche” (Greek)

Life or breath;
The inner being of a person;
The seat of one’s conscious mind, emotions, will, and character

The soul is:

• The immaterial and metaphysical animating force of the physical body
• The eternal collection of one’s conscious thoughts, emotions, will, and character

Question: Where does the soul come from, and where does it go?

“For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” -Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NLT)

What is sin?

• Any act of defiance toward God’s commands or rejection of God’s Truth.
• It doesn’t come from outside. It comes from our souls.
• Sin separates both your soul and body from God.

What happens to the soul when it sins?

“The soul who sins is the one who will die.” – Ezekiel 18:4 (NLT)

So… to have a healthy soul, I just need to follow Jesus? We need help!

• John 15
• Romans 11

Do you want a new spirit? (Ezekiel 36:25-26)

• Confess your sins to Jesus
• Declare that Jesus is Lord
• By faith, believe Jesus died and rose again (Romans 10:9-13)

A healthy soul flows from a healthy mind.

The mind is a battleground.

αἰχμαλωτίζω “Aichmalotizo”

• To lead a captive away, as a captured prisoner of war.

καθαιρέω “Kathaireo”

• To pull or throw down with violent force;
• To pull down a corpse from a cross or pole

When it comes to our thoughts:

• it’s “kill or be killed”

Proactively controlling our thoughts:

• Cultivate the right mental environment
  • Meditate on God’s Word
  • Pray continually to invite the Holy Spirit in
  • Worship God and serve others
• Recognize the power of our patterns

Lust pattern… is this your pattern?

• It’s OK to look lustfully! It’s not hurting anybody!
• It’s GOOD to look lustfully! It makes me feel good!
• I should be ENCOURAGED to look because I’m supposed to feel good!
• I’m ENTITLED to look! Those women owe it to me!

What’s your pattern?

• It’s OK to ____.
• It’s GOOD to ____.
• I should be ENCOURAGED to ____.
• I’m ENTITLED to ____.

Is there a pattern of behavior in your life whose power you haven’t yet recognized?

Sin is corrosive (rust analogy):

• When the corrosion of sin causes your soul to fail, what will you lose?

Apply “paint” over your mind!

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night, so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.” Joshua 1:8a (NLT)

A healthy soul flows from a healthy mind!

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Key Scripture:

Romans 8:5 (NLT)

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.

Colossians 2:8 (NLT)

8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Romans 8:6 (NLT)

6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; 

      test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, 

      and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Matthew 25:32-46 (NLT)

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• What’s your favorite activity that helps you to cultivate a healthy mind and soul and in what ways does it help you?

Start sharing. These questions are to help get your group thinking and to create openness.

• Jeff said, “A healthy soul flows from a healthy mind.” Read Romans 8:5 and Colossians 2:8. List the contrasts between being ruled by a sinful nature or by the Spirit.
• How does having a healthy mind contribute to having a healthy soul?
• Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. How do believers guard against sinful thoughts? Why is that so important? For reference, read Romans 8:6.
• Read Matthew 25:32-46. What is sin? How does and will it effect the soul of a believer? Of an unbeliever?
• Jeff listed two things we can do to proactively prevent evil thoughts from taking over and corroding our minds. What are they? Read Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2, and Psalm 139:23-24 for reference. What effect would following those verses have on the patterns of our sinful thoughts and the corrosive consequences of those thoughts for our soul?
• Joshua 1:8a says, “Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night.” How can meditating on God’s word ‘day and night’ keep us on a right path?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• This week, prayerfully ask God to search your heart and to show you where changes need to be made.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

• Praise God that He knows you and that His hand is over your life.  Ask Him to reveal to you those parts of you that are not obedient to His will for you and to help you submit to the control of the Holy Spirit.

Start digging. For further study.

• Read this Got Questions article,“What is soul care? What is care of the soul?”

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