The spirit is the part of man that is born again. The spirit is the "inner man" and where God's word and will is revealed to us, It includes conscience. God is Spirit and we are made in His image. Therefore we also are primarily spirit beings. The spirit is maintained and strengthened by spiritual knowledge.
The soul is the organ of expression. Mary's song of praise, "My soul magnifies the Lord......" The spirit relates to the spiritual realm and the soul to the natural realm. When we are born again, we have a new set of desires and attitudes within. I went from despising to church and never reading the Bible to seeing my need for both in not time at all.
Problems arise when the truth of God's word, the expectations of God's will and our own logic and reason clash. The soul is programmed by the world. The world appeals to reason and logic, but from Satan's point of view. For example, Lord Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again. That term is familiar these days, but Nicodemus was probably the first person ever to hear it. He could not get his mind around it.
The soul realm includes the natural man, also called ego or the self of the soul. The natural man does not comprehend the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). So Christians need to discern between the natural man and the spirit.
A good example of spirit and soul is Peter with Jesus. Peter had just received the revelation in his spirit that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. God revealed this to Peter and Jesus called Peter blessed. Not long after, Lord Jesus told the disciples that He must die. Peter took Lord Jesus aside and told Him off. (Matthew 16:13-23)
Lord Jesus rebuked Peter, telling him that his thoughts were not of God, but of man. And believers often vacillate between the spirit and the soul. It takes time and experiences to discern the difference. We need to make God's word our absolute authority, especially if our mind argues.
The body will be saved instantly when we get the new body promised to us. However, we need to bring the body under our control also. Some are addicted to food and are so obese. Some are obsessed with sleep. There was a time when if I did not get 8 hours sleep, I would be grumpy all day. Not so much now.
The body has natural desires that God included when He created us. They include hunger, thirst and the sex drive. They are not inherently evil. They do need to be brought under our control. We need the power of the Spirit to do that. Self control is part of the fruit of the Spirit.
A proper answer to your question would take way too long and too many words for this forum. If you are serious, I suggest that you get a copy of "The Spiritual Man", by Watchman Nee. It will take you months to read and years to become real in your experience. It will be worth it.
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