These words are sometimes a little confusing for me; it almost appears they are used interchangeably. Here is a little deeper look.
Heart
In Hebrew, the word for heart is "lev". In the First Testament it is considered the location of thought, will, and choices; it is our control center. While we tend to identify heart with emotions, it is better interpreted in the Bible as mind. (For ancients, the liver was considered the location of emotions). Deuteronomy 30:14-18 describes the heart as holding the word of the Almighty (knowledge), while emphasizing its role in guiding actions. The heart controls our actions.
That’s the easy part!
Soul
In Hebrew the word for soul is “nephesh”, in Ancient Greek it is “psuché”. Both words include the idea of a living being. Your soul is you, you with all your God given uniqueness. It is your inner being and your personality and the vital force that animates all you do. In short, your soul is you. And yes, all living things have a soul including our beloved pets. (Genesis 1:21-24)
Our soul is a grace filled gift from the incorruptible soul of God. But there is a condition placed on this gift, our blessed souls still belong to Him! We are given the ability to lift-up or to cast down this invaluable gift, solely by our own actions. But you are accountable, it still belongs to Him.
Ezekiel 18:4, 30-32:
Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die…Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord YHWH. “
But one final, but absolutely critical thought about our soul; it is the Temple into which God pours His spirit.
Spirit
The ancient Hebrew word for spirit is "ruach,” which can also mean wind or breath. Simply stated, our spirit is that which is eternal in every man.
God is spirit (John 4:24). Spirit is the substance of God and God is eternal. Yeshua also testifies the spirit is eternal (Luke 23:46). It is through the spirit that we can become brothers and fellow heirs with Christ of all God’s promises.
Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
Our heart (mind) must guide our soul (body) to lift up our eternal spirit to the glory of God.
Heart
In Hebrew, the word for heart is "lev". In the First Testament it is considered the location of thought, will, and choices; it is our control center. While we tend to identify heart with emotions, it is better interpreted in the Bible as mind. (For ancients, the liver was considered the location of emotions). Deuteronomy 30:14-18 describes the heart as holding the word of the Almighty (knowledge), while emphasizing its role in guiding actions. The heart controls our actions.
That’s the easy part!
Soul
In Hebrew the word for soul is “nephesh”, in Ancient Greek it is “psuché”. Both words include the idea of a living being. Your soul is you, you with all your God given uniqueness. It is your inner being and your personality and the vital force that animates all you do. In short, your soul is you. And yes, all living things have a soul including our beloved pets. (Genesis 1:21-24)
Our soul is a grace filled gift from the incorruptible soul of God. But there is a condition placed on this gift, our blessed souls still belong to Him! We are given the ability to lift-up or to cast down this invaluable gift, solely by our own actions. But you are accountable, it still belongs to Him.
Ezekiel 18:4, 30-32:
Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die…Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord YHWH. “
But one final, but absolutely critical thought about our soul; it is the Temple into which God pours His spirit.
Spirit
The ancient Hebrew word for spirit is "ruach,” which can also mean wind or breath. Simply stated, our spirit is that which is eternal in every man.
God is spirit (John 4:24). Spirit is the substance of God and God is eternal. Yeshua also testifies the spirit is eternal (Luke 23:46). It is through the spirit that we can become brothers and fellow heirs with Christ of all God’s promises.
Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
Our heart (mind) must guide our soul (body) to lift up our eternal spirit to the glory of God.
