Soul and Spirit By Jessie Penn Lewis

Soul and Spirit

By Jessie Penn Lewis

Table of Contents

› 1 - SOUL AND SPIRIT - (Hebrews 4: 12) THE ignorance of Christians concerning the distinction between " soul " and " spirit " is very general, and is a primary cause of t ...read

› 2 - THE "CARNAL" CHRISTIAN - " And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ " (I Corinthians 3:1 R.V.). Let us repea ...read

› 3 - THE "MAN OF SOUL" - " The 'natural' man [' man of soul '] receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God . . . because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2: ...read

› 4 - HOW "SOUL" AND "SPIRIT" ARE DIVIDED - " The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and m ...read

› 5 - THE SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN - "He that is spiritual (pneumatikos) judgeth all things" (I Corinthians 2:15). "And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly: and may your spiri ...read

› 6 - SOME LIGHT UPON THE PERILS OF THE LAST DAYS - "THE forces of psuche (soul) arrayed against the forces of pneuma (spirit)," is the expressive sentence used by a correspondent in India, to describe ...read

› 7 - THE WORLD ISSUES OF TO-DAY - Several letters have reached me concerning the brief paper " Soul Force verses Spirit Force " given in our last issue. A ministerial reader describes ...read

› 8 - THE PSYCHIC DISCOVERIES IN THE LAST DAYS - "The greatest danger," said Dr. Murray, " the individual has to dread is the inordinate activity of the soul with its powers of mind and will." This d ...read

› 9 - "THE SON CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF" - The meaning of " soul-force " can be briefly defined as that which has its origin in the soul, and " spirit force " as that which has its origin in th ...read

› 10 - Calling the Psychical "Spiritual" - It is said of the " Beast " in Revelation 13:5 that inspired by the Dragon he would be allowed to speak " blasphemies ", and " he opened his mouth in ...read

› 11 - THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT - The Distinction between Soul and Spirit From Fausset's Commentary Note on Hebrews 4:12. "EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT "-i.e., re ...read

Why Trouble Comes

The Ministry of Comfort: Chapter 2 - Why Trouble Comes
By J.R. Miller


There is always a mystery in sorrow. We never can understand for certain, why it comes to us. We cannot but ask questions when we find ourselves in the midst of trouble. But many of our questions must remain unanswered until earth's dim light becomes full and clear in heaven's glory. "What I do--you cannot now understand," said the Master; "but you shall understand hereafter."

Some godly people make the mistake of supposing, when any trouble comes upon them, that they have displeased God in some way and that He is punishing them for it. This was the thought in the minds of the disciples, when they asked the Master for whose sin, his own or his parent's, a certain man had been born blind. Jesus answered that the blindness had been sent for no one's sin--but for an occasion of good and blessing, for an opportunity of revealing the mercy and gentleness of God. When we have sorrow or suffering, our question should not be, "What have I done that God is punishing me for?" but, "What is the mission of this messenger of God to me?"

If we would always greet pain or trouble in this way, with welcome, reverently, in Christ's name--we would be in an attitude for receiving whatever blessing or good God has sent to us in it. There is no doubt that whatever trouble comes to us--that it comes from God on an errand of love. It is not some chance thing breaking into our life, without purpose, without intention. It is a messenger from God, and brings blessings to us. Our trouble is God's gift to us. No matter what it may be--duty, responsibility, struggle, pain, unrequited service, unjust treatment, hard conditions--it is that which God has given to us. No matter through whose fault or sin it may have come to us, when the trouble is ours--we may say it is a gift of God to us. Then being a gift from God, we may be sure that it has in it a divine blessing. As it comes to us, it may have a stern aspect, may seem unkindly, even cruel--but folded up in its forbidding form, it carries some treasure of mercy.

It is easy to find illustrations of this truth. The world's greatest blessings have come out of its greatest sorrows. Said Goethe, "I never had an affliction which did not turn into a poem." No doubt the best music and poetry in all literature had a like origin, if we could know its whole story. It is universally true that poets "learn in suffering what they teach in song." Nothing really worth while in life's lessons, comes easily without pain and cost.

Readers who find in certain books of Christian experience words which are bread to their spiritual hunger, which cheer and strengthen them, which shine like lamps on their darkness, showing them the way, do not know what it cost the writer to prepare these words, how he suffered, struggled and endured, in order that he might learn to write the sentences which are so full of helpfulness. This is one of the rewards of suffering--the power to light the way for other sufferers.

Many of the beneficences which have brought greatest good to the world have been the fruit of a bitter sorrow or a loss which seemed overwhelming. When Dr. Moon of Brighton was at the very ripeness of his powers and the summit of his achievements, he became totally blind. It seemed a terrible calamity that a man so brilliant, fitted to be so helpful to humanity, should have his career of usefulness thus ruthlessly ended. For a time his heart was full of rebellious thoughts; he could not and would not submit. He could see no possible goodness, nothing but unqualified misfortune, in the darkening of his eyes which had put an end to his career among men. But in his darkness, he began to think of others who were blind and to ponder the question whether there might not be some way by which they could be enabled to read. The outcome of his thought was the invention of the alphabet for the blind, which is now used in nearly every country and in every language, by means of which three or four million of blind in all parts of the world can read the Bible and other books. Was it not worth while for one man's eyes to be darkened, in order that such a blessing might be given to the blind of all lands?

Christian liberty

(J.R. Miller)

We should keep watch over our words and deeds, not only in their intent and purpose — but also in their possible influence over others. There may be liberties which lead to no danger for us — but which to others with less stable character, and less wholesome environments — would be full of peril. It is part of our duty to think of these weaker ones, and of the influence of our example upon them. We may not do anything in our liberty, which might possibly harm others. We must be willing to sacrifice our liberty — if by its exercise, we endanger another's soul. This is the teaching of holy Scripture:

"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." Romans 14:19 

"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." Romans 14:20-21 

"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience — you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 

"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

The true recipe for miserable existence!

(James Alexander, "Consolation" 1852)

"Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Nevertheless, I want Your will to be done, not Mine!" Luke 22:42

The first law of true religion is submission to God's will. Where it does not exist, there is no piety, and just as truly there is no tranquility of soul.

What a hideous sight to see a human creature in full rebellion against God's providence . . .
  repining at His allotments,
  fighting against His dispensations,
  and cursing His judgments!

The true recipe for miserable existence is this: Quarrel with Providence. When God means to make us happy, He teaches us submission — a resignation of everything into His hands, and an acknowledgment that whatever He does is wisest and best. 

O how sweetly even afflictions fall, when there is such a temper to receive them! "Shall we receive good at the hands of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil?" Such dispositions tend to stillness of soul; and even amidst chastisement there is internal quiet.

"It is a very great attainment to lie passive in God's hands, and know no will but His!" (Alexander Smellie)

"It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him." 1 Samuel 3:18

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD!" Job 1:21

"May the Lord's will be done." Acts 21:14

I am my Beloved's — and my Beloved is mine!

I am my Beloved's — and my Beloved is mine!

(Archibald Brown, "This God Our God!")
"I am my Beloved's — and my Beloved is mine!" Song of Songs 6:3 

There are two passages in the Scripture which ought never to be separated.

One is "The LORD's portion is His people." Deuteronomy 32:9. That is God's side.

And the other passage is this: "The LORD is my portion." Lamentations 3:24

God and I possess each other. God finds His portion in His people — and His people find their portion in God.

His heart is mine — for He loves me.
His ear is mine — for I may pour into it all my tales of sorrow and all my songs of joy.
His eyes are mine — for they watch me from morning until night.
His hand is mine — for it is stretched out to uphold me.
This God is mine — in all His glorious perfections! 

Oh, He is a God of infinite glory. Abased in the very dust, and half bewildered by the thought, I yet dare to look up, and say, "This God is my God forever and ever! He will be my guide even until death!" Psalm 48:14

My needs — His resources!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

"Acsah said: 'Let me have another gift. You have already given me land in the South — now please give me springs of water also!' So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs." Judges 1:15

"Also" — the word of Acsah, Caleb's daughter, is the commonest of words in the hungering and thirsting heart, and on the praying lips of the Christian. 

God has done much for me. He has given me a south land, where the sun shines, where the fields are broad and rich, where grape-vines and olive trees and fig trees may flourish and yield their harvests. 

But I am not yet at the end of my needs — or of His resources. He must give me also springs of water to quicken and revive everything. I have not attained. I am not fully satisfied. As liberal as He has been — He is not wearied in bestowing, nor is His treasury depleted!

Back and back to Him I shall come — with new entreaties and new desires. 
Back and back to me He will return — with new endowments and new love. 

"Also" — it is both my word and His!

Suppose that I am forgiven — I would have Him also add to His forgiveness, the peace and assurance which it should beget.

Suppose that I am justified in His sight by the infinite meritoriousness of my Lord Jesus Christ — I would also know now what it is to be sanctified and made holy by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. 

Suppose that I am His redeemed and adopted child, dwelling in the home and atmosphere of His favor — I would also be His consecrated servant and commissioned ambassador, employed to advance His Kingdom.

Suppose that He has given me the south land of His mercifulness and grace — He must also give me the springs of water, that through the whole of the encircling year I may bear much fruit to His glory.

Lord, give me springs of water also!

'Tom Thumbs' in grace!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Flowers from a Puritan's Garden" 1883)

"Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's Word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!" Hebrews 5:12

"An infant, if he should continue an infant always, would be a monster!"

However pleased the parents had been with the little one when it was a babe, they would soon be deeply distressed if year after year it still remained a tiny thing. Indeed, they would consider it a great calamity to be the parents of a dwarf.

What, then, shall we say of those professors who never grow? They are no more holy after fifty years! They are infants at sixty years of age!

I have in my house a picture which is made up of the portraits of my sons, taken on their birthdays for twenty-one years. They begin in the cradle, and end as full-grown young men. This is interesting and according to nature.

But, alas, I have spiritual children whom I wheeled about in the stroller twenty years ago — and they are babies still, needing as much care as ever, and are not able to walk alone. Ah me, that so many who ought to be warriors, are weaklings; that those who should be men of six feet tall, are so stunted as to be mere 'Tom Thumbs' in grace!

O for grace to grow in grace, and especially in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God save us from a life which does not grow, and from a growth which is not healthy!