Man’s Triune Nature 1

Man’s Triune Nature

Man's nature is triune in its make-up. Scripture teaches that he is a "soul," living in a
"body," with the potential of "spirit" communication with God. - (Genesis 2:7)

• Man's body is where his senses dwell!

• Man's soul is where self dwells!
• Man's spirit is where God dwells!

The Old Testament Tabernacle is an example of this. In studying what Scripture teaches
concerning the Tabernacle, one finds a triune character -

(1) the outer court, representing man's "body;"

(2) the holy place, representing man's "soul;" and
(3) the Holy of Holies, representing man's "spirit."

John 4:24 states, "God is a spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in
truth."

Worship is not just "praising God in a church service," but, rather, worship is one living
out every area of his life for God's glory.

Worship must be "in spirit and in truth!"

So much of one's worshiping God...[living his life for the glory of God]...is not really "in
spirit," but, rather, it is from "self" - soulish - relying upon his mind, his will, or, his emotions!

Jesus stated in John 12:24, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of
wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.
But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

What happens when a grain "falls to the ground"? The outer shell dies and cracks open,
allowing the life within to spring forth! It is only after the outer shell is split open, by dying, that
the life within the wheat can grow!

Jesus continues with His teaching in the next verse, (25) by saying, "The man who loves
his life . . . [this Greek word which is translated as "life" is the same word which is also
translated as "soul"] . . . will lose it, while the man who hates his life . . . [soul] . . . in this world
will keep it for eternal life."

Jesus is teaching that if one lives for his "soul" [that is, his mind, will, or emotions] in
this life, he will miss God's intent for his life, however, if he is willing, for Christ's sake, to die to
self [his soul] he will not only live fully now, in this life, but will also preserve his life eternally!

Die to self!

One's "soul-life" [his mind, will and emotion] must be broken like the grain of wheat
which falls to the ground and dies. And, as the seed within the kernel of wheat comes to life
Man’s Triune Nature 2

. . . because the outer shell is broken . . . the believer's "soul" dimension dies and his "spirit-life,"
which has been confined, now comes forth to live!

1. The "outer shell" is likened unto man's physical body.

2. The endosperm, surrounding the germ of the grain is likened unto man's soul
[his mind, will and emotions].
3. The germ, within, is likened unto man "spirit-life"

There is nothing wrong with man's body, he needs his body to worship God in this
physical world. And, there is nothing wrong with his "soul" [mind, will and emotions] He also
needs this dimension to worship God. However, the problem is that many believers confine God
to these two areas in their worship.

The "soul" area of man's humanity strives to rule over him! His "soul" desires to express
its emotions . . . to feel good" . . . in order to enjoy life. Also, his "soul" desires to understand all
about the situations of life. It yearns to know . . . have its mentality developed . . . acquire a
storehouse of knowledge . . . in order to be satisfied!

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS

The "soul" area of man, and its satisfaction, is absolutely necessary - [that is, his mind,
will and emotion] - if he is to be a "whole" person, however, if the believer's life does not go
any deeper than just the "soul-level," his worship has not reached the " inner man."

God desires to minister to the believer's "inner man" - [that is, his "spirit"].
The believer must not allow his emotion, his intellect, or his will to control
his life!

IMPORTANCE OF THE BELIEVER'S "SPIRIT"

Paul states in Romans 7:22, "For in my inner being I delight in God's law."

Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:16, "I pray that out of His [Christ Jesus] glorious riches He
may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being."

In 2 Corinthians 4:16 Paul taught, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we
are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

Peter teaches in 1 Peter 3:4, "Instead, it [the adorning of a Christian's life] should be that
of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in
God's sight."

PRESENCE REQUIRES SAMENESS OF NATURE

Since God is "Spirit" (John 4:23), the believer can only worship Him "in spirit."

God's Word can divide "spirit" and "soul" (Hebrews 4:12) [That's exactly what the book
of Job does.] God's Word can discern what is "soulish" in one's life and expose it for what it is.
Man’s Triune Nature 3

Must that passes for "spiritual" worship is recognized in the light of Scripture for the
"soulish," self-centered, thing that it is.

Read carefully Romans 8:4-16, which teaches, "In order that the righteous requirements
of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according
to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that
nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what
the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life
and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the
sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because
of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus
from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your
mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation -
but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful
nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit
that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry,
`Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's
children...[8:26-29]... In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know
what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot
express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit
intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For
those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He
might be the firstborn among many brothers.

THE SPIRITUAL MAN

WHAT IS "TRUE SPIRITUALITY"?

We will learn a great deal more about "spirituality" when we get to Elihu's speeches in
chapters 33 through 37, and, when we get to what God says to Job in chapter 38 to 41, however,
it is important to know . . . (if we are to understand clearly these earlier chapters in the book of
Job) . . . just what true spirituality is.

God, out of the dust of the earth, created man. This circle represents man's "physical" life
- his body with its five senses.

In reading Genesis 2:7, one finds that God formed man of the dust of the ground, but then
something else happened. "God breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life and man became a
living soul!"

Man is not a "body," he has a body, however, at creation man became "a living soul!"

The Greek word for soul is "psyche," from which comes our modern word "psychology,"
and refers to the unseen part of man. Tests conducted by psychologists measure a number of
Man’s Triune Nature 4

human factors which function independently of the body. By means of these test the clinicians
procure a profile of the person living inside the body.

The "soul" is made of three parts:

(1) Man's emotions
(2) Man's intellect, and
(3) Man's volition, or will

God's Word refers to the "soul" of the one who is not born-again, as "carnal" or "flesh" -
["Flesh" as used in Scripture does not refer to human flesh, but, rather, to the Adamic nature, or,
one living life only from the reflexes of his "soul."]

Man, created by God, disobeyed God's command because his "soul-life" activated his
personality [that is, his mind, his will and his emotions]. His physical-life animated his muscles
and body functions.

No one can really "see" the real man "thinking, or watch his "feelings." These are an
invisible process, yet they were very real.

All men have the same kind of "soul-life." What, then, is "spiritual life," of which the
Bible speaks?

God tells us of those who are "spiritually dead." What does that mean?

God said to Adam and Eve, in Genesis 3:17, "The DAY that you eat of the tree . . . [that
is, eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil] . . . you will surely die."

God said that Adam and Eve would die the day they ate of the forbidden tree. God could
not have been referring to their "physical" life because they lived over 900 years after they ate of
the tree which God had commanded them not too.

What about Adam and Eve's "soul-life"? Was that taken from them the day they ate of the
forbidden tree? No, because they could still feel, think, and exercise their will. Their "soul" was
still alive.

What happened that day Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden tree? They were driven from
the presence of God. The fellowship between man and God was now broken. The line between
Adam [the living soul] and God was now broken and it is said that "Adam died that day."

"SPIRITUAL DEATH" MEANS SPIRITUAL SEPARATION

WHAT IS "SPIRITUAL LIFE"?

Spiritual life is just the opposite of spiritual death and, since spiritual
death is separation between God and man, spiritual life is UNION of
God and man.

The New Testament repeatedly refers to "a carnal Christian" and "a spiritual Christian.
What can that mean?
Man’s Triune Nature 5

A "carnal" Christian is a believer who has put his faith in Christ, and has received a new
nature in Christ Jesus, however, his old nature has the upper hand. The carnal Christian lives by
his "soul powers." He lets his emotions, his intellect, and his will guide him in facing life's
issues.

God teaches we are not to depend upon guidance from our emotions, intellect, or will
power and, if one does, extremes will occur. It is only as the believer "walks by his spirit," under
the direction and control of the Holy Spirit, that he will be able to adequately live for God and
bring glory to Jesus Christ!

God's ideal for the believer is for him to live a "Spiritual" life . . . life in the Spirit.

Paul earnestly prayed for the saints, "that they would be filled with the knowledge of
God's will in all wisdom [that is, seeing life from God's point of view] . . . and spiritual
understanding . . . [that is, responding to life's situation as God would have them to], that they
might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9-10).

We must learn, in the situations of life, to view things and events

from God's point of view! That is true "spirituality."

WHAT "SPIRITUALITY" IS NOT!

1. Spirituality is not living the life of a recluse

True spirituality is not the hollow holiness of a hermit that is produced solely in
isolation. It is not pretended piety that draws in its skirts and shuns the sinner, whether by
actions or attitude.

2. Spirituality is not merely abstaining from outward evils

One man, after hearing a preacher, said, "My donkey must be a Christian." When
asked how he could say such a thing, he answered, "My donkey doesn't curse, work on
Sunday, drink alcoholic beverages or even use tobacco. He refrains from all the things you
say a Christian should. He must be a Christian."

No, spirituality is not just refraining from wrong things. One can cease being
"worldly" and still not be "spiritual."

3. Spirituality is not mouthing pious phrases

True, a spiritual person will speak appropriate words as an indication of what is in his
heart, yet, merely using the right words is not an indication of true spirituality. It is far too
easy to build a facade by the glib use of words, and camouflage the true condition within.

4. Spirituality has nothing to do with mannerisms

Man’s Triune Nature 6

Whether or not a person is demonstrative in his worship, or activities, at church is no

gage of his spirituality. Mannerisms do not indicate spirituality, nor does the lack of certain
ones indicate a spiritual lack.

5. Spirituality has nothing to do with emotions

One can be highly emotional and deeply spiritual at the same time. Another can be a
stolid, unemotional, type of person and still possess the utmost in spiritual qualities. Emotions
have no role in the evaluating of spirituality.

6. Spirituality is not indicated by a periodic exercise of spiritual gifts

When a person exercises a spiritual gift [listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10] it is not a

sure indication that he is spiritual! These gifts were prevalent in the church at Corinth, yet
Paul calls them, "carnal and not spiritual" [1 Corinthians 3:1].

WHAT ARE THE TRUE EVIDENCES OF SPIRITUALITY?

1. True spirituality is an inner quality of life

When one accepts Christ, the Holy Spirit implants within him the very life of Jesus
Christ. Spirituality is the full expression of this Christ-life. This "inward" life works out
through the believer's life and action, and glorifies God.

The expression of this life of Jesus Christ within, is lived out every day, by a thousand
little decisions by the believer's faith in Christ Jesus. Each day is filled with opportunities to
show Christ-like-ness.

God sees the believer's heart and He has the capacity to judge true "spirituality." Men
look at the outward appearance and, therefore, are unable to judge true spirituality. Men
sometimes set themselves up as judges, however, they miserably fail because their basis of
evaluation is exterior and, hence, faulty.

True spirituality is from within, not from without!

True spirituality is linked to the believer's "spirit." When anyone is born-again by the
Holy Spirit, it is his "spirit" which is made alive (John 3:6). One must continue to "be filled
(controlled) by the Holy Spirit" [Ephesians 5:18] and "be led by the Spirit" [Romans 8:14].

There, of course, will be outward evidences of this inward spirituality, however, true
spiritually is attitude, rather than action, which is more difficult to feign.

2. True spirituality is living God's Word

In 1 Corinthians 14:37 we read, "If any man think himself to be spiritual, let him prove it
by acknowledging these things that I wrote [that is, the Word of God] as the commandments
of the Lord."
Man’s Triune Nature 7

He that is "spiritual" receives a special discernment from God's Word that others do
not have [1 Corinthians 2:14-15].

Jesus tells us that "it is the Spirit that gives life" to this relationship with Him, and, that
"His Words are spirit" [John 6:63].

God's Word feeds the believer's new life . . . [spiritual life] . . . in Christ Jesus.

True spirituality is submitting to the Word of God as authority

3. True spirituality will exhibit maturity

The law of nature is that life develops and grows, or it eventually withers and dies. It
cannot remain static, it must be active and dynamic. All life has functions and purpose. The
purpose of the new life in Christ Jesus - its ultimate goal - is to bring the believer to "a perfect
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" [Ephesians 4:13]. The believer's
attitude develops into the characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit (listed in Galatians 5:22-23].

4. True spirituality is primarily concerned with the welfare of others

Galatians 6:1 states, "Ye which are spiritual restore . . ." Jesus' spiritual life was
displayed by His concern for others.

God's goal for every believer is not, necessarily, for them to be healthy, wealthy, or
worldly wise, but for them "to reach mature manhood and that full measure of development
found in Christ." The believer is, henceforth, be no more an infant . . . (spiritually immature]
. . . tossed to and fro, and blown around by every shifting current of teaching, according to
men's cleverness and unscrupulous cunning that makes use of every shifting device to
mislead. The believer is to follow the truth in a spirit of charity and grow up in every area of
his life to the measure of Christ's growth, who is our head [Ephesians 4:13-15].

THE CONCEPTS OF TRUE SPIRITUALITY

1. The concept of being completely yielded to God

The one thing that characterized Jesus' life, more than anything else, was His
unconditional submission to His Father. Jesus said in John 8:28-29, "I do nothing of My own
but speak just what the Father has taught Me. The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not
left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him."

Our emotion, intellect, and will must be completely subjected to the Lordship of
Christ.
Man's "human nature" hates control! It despises subjection!

Yieldedness is not loss of man's soul, but, rather, it is simply surrendering the soul . . .
[mind, emotion and will] . . . to God in order to work out His perfect will. Yieldedness is
giving up one's selfish, independent, expression and humbly submitting to God's will.
Man’s Triune Nature 8

Many have been striving to overcome some besetting weakness, yet

are no closer to their desired goal because they fail to realize that
yieldedness is not something one does or does not do, but, rather it is
an attitude of the heart, a state of one's mind, emotion, and will..
(A) YIELDEDNESS IS THE ABSENCE OF RESISTANCE

Yieldedness is not "doing" something, but, rather, it is simply not resisting the Holy
Spirit as He seeks to guide the believer through his "spirit."

The Holy Spirit, by God's Word, is seeking to teach, correct, discipline and lead
the believer in order to mature him. "Yieldedness" is not resisting this work of the Holy
Spirit.

When God leads the believer through some testing period, he does not resist. As
God, unmercifully, cuts away some of the cherished, but unscriptural, "traditions of men"
from his life, he stands on God's Word alone.

There is no Scriptural basis for pleading with God to make the believer willing to
yield to His will. He simply commands us to do so.

Romans 12:1-2 states, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's

mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -
which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will
be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and
perfect will."

(B) YIELDEDNESS IS THE ABSENCE OF ANY EXPRESSION OF "SELF"

It is a result of sin that the believer's "self-life" . . .[his emotion, his intellect, and
his will] . . .has been corrupted. He must remember that his "self-life" is out of harmony
with God's will and, if he lets his soul have control of his life, he will be vulnerable to
Satan's influence.

God's will is only accomplished in the believer's life as he allows his "spirit" to be
guided by the Holy Spirit and he yields his "soul-life" in full consecration to God.

Yielding one's self-life to the guidance of the Holy Spirit does not mean the
surrender of he's "free-will." God never destroys one's free-will, but, rather, God only
asks that believers surrender their "self-will" . . . [that is, their emotions, intellect and
will] . . . into harmony with His will.

(C) YIELDEDNESS IS AN AFFECTION OF THE HEART

When one is "born-again" he receives a new heart and yieldedness is the result of
the affection of this receptive heart. When the believer lives by this "new life" there is an
unconscious, non-voluntary, surrender to God.
Man’s Triune Nature 9

One can decide within his mind, will, or emotion to "change his ways, however,
still be unable to consistently, permanently, do so and, so, he abandons the idea after a
period of time. Why? His new "heart" . . . [his "spirit" made alive by the Holy Spirit at
his new birth.] . . . must be receptive of this yieldedness.

2. A second concept found in the book of Job is that of "Emptying."

In Philippians 2:5-9 we read of the emptying of Jesus Christ. It states, "Your attitude
should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature God, did not
consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the
very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a
man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even the death on a cross!

God's Word clearly commands the believer to have this same attitude which Jesus had.
The way to the fullness of God is through self-emptying . . . [that is, the crucified life].

Our culture teaches to "pamper" the self-life, "express yourself," however, God's
message is death to self-life [or, the crucified life].

3. A third concept found in the book of Job is that of "Dying"

The natural desire within everyone is to keep alive the "self-life," however, until one is
willing to die to all of his self desires, plans, wishes, and will, he will never enter the blessed
life which God promises the believer.

The believer is to "reckon himself to be dead indeed to sin." The believer's greatest
competitor for his love and affection is his own "self-life." The believer must reckon his self-
life dead! He must "offer himself on the alter, a living sacrifice" [Romans 12:1-2].

Why should the believer be willing to suffer?

1. For the trial of his faith

James 1:2-4 teaches of the importance of suffering hardships as a necessary phase of

our spiritual development. This passage states:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything."

2. In behalf of others

Romans 15:1 states, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the
weak and not to please ourselves."
Galatians 6:1 states, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are
spiritual should restore him gently."
Man’s Triune Nature 10

In Matthew 20:26, Jesus teaches, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your
servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the son of man did not come
to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
1 Peter 2:20-23 states, "How is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and
endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before
God. To this you are called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you
should follow in His steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When
they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats.
Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."

3. In behalf of Christ

Philippians 1:29 states, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe
on Him, but also to suffer for Him."
Matthew 5:11 states, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say
all kinds of evil against you because of Me."
Luke 9:23-24 state, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his
cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life [soul] will lose it, but whoever
loses his life [soul] for Me will save it."
In Colossians 1:24, Paul states, "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in
my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is
the church."
2 Corinthians 1:5 states, "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives..."
Romans 8:17-18, state, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs
with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be
revealed in us."
In John 15:18-21 Jesus says, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If
you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the
world; but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the
words I spoke to you: `No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will
persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you
this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me."

The inconveniences, difficulties, mistreatment, abuse and suffering for the sake of the
Gospel is in behalf of Christ.
1 Peter 4:12-13 state, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are
suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you
participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is
revealed."

As one reads the Bible, these Biblical truths stand out paramount:

(1) Yieldedness to the hand of God,

(2) Being emptied of everything in life, and
(3) Willingness to die!