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Monthly Question Page
Q. What’s the difference between the soul and the spirit?
A. Humans are tripartite beings, or made of three parts. This is different than the animal and lower creation. “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness … . And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 1:26, 2:7).
The body is the physical part of our being, and the soul is the seat of emotions, affections, and appetites, which the animal and lower creation have in that sense as well. It is the spirit of man that sets him apart from the animals. That which God breathed into him is the highest part of our being and sets us in relationship with God. It is the intelligent, God-conscious part of man. This makes us responsible to our Creator. “For we are also His offspring” (Acts 17:28). When animals die they cease to exist, but when man dies he must meet God. That is why it is important to be ready for the next life, by knowing Him as our Savior.
“I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
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