Did You Know?
- Sep 30
- 5 min read
What is the soul? (Part 2)
Did you know that the soul refers to the living human being as explained in the Scriptures? Following on from last month let us continue to explore and expand on what is the soul?
Refering to Deuteronomy chapter 30 and verses 6 and 10 it expresses “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul”.
Joshua chapter 22 and verse 5 speaks similar words “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul”. Note the very same words in Matthew chapter 22 and verses 37 to 39 “Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind”.
In 1st Samuel chapter 1 and verses 8 to 10, 14 and 15 these verses talk about a women called Hannah whose husband was Elkanah, being childless and was crying out to God in her distress. “Then said Elkanah, her husband to her, Hannah why weepest thou? Why eatest thou not? And why is thy heart grieved?...And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. ...but have poured out my soul before the LORD”. 1st Kings chapter 1 and verses 28 and 29 states “Then the king answered and said, call for Bathsheba. She came into the kings presence and stood before the king. The king sware, and said, as the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of distress”. 2nd Kings chapter 2 and verse 2 it also clarifies the soul being a living person “And Elijah said to Elisha, tarry here I pray thee, for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. Elisha said unto him, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel”.
1st Chronicles chapter 22 and verse 19 says “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God, arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built...”. Job chapter 7 and verse 11 “ Therefore I will not refrain my mouth. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul”. Job chapter 14 and verse 22 notes “But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn”. Job chapter 19 and verses 1 and 2 states “Then Job answered and said, how long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words”. Job chapter 30 and verse 25 says “Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the poor”. The above texts relates to the living human being, not the dead.
“The Law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul, the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple”. This is taken from Psalms chapter 19 and verse 7. Again, in Psalm chapter 40 and verse 14 explains “Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it, let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil”. Psalm chapter 42 and verse 5 states “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God. I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance”.
Psalm chapter 54 and verse 3 says “For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul. They have not set God before them”. Psalm chapter 71 and verses 10 and 11 mentions “For mine enemies speak against me, and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, saying God hath forsaken him, persecute and take him, for there is none to deliver him”. Psalm chapter 103 and verses 1 and 2 explains “Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul and forget not all his benefits”. Psalms chapter 120 and verses 2 and 6 expresses “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace”.
Proverbs chapter 2 and verses 10 and 11 says “When wisdom entereth into thine heart and knowledge is pleasant unto the soul, discretion shall preserve thee and understanding shall keep thee”. Proverbs chapter 15 and verse 32 makes it clear “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul, but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding”. Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 7 notes “A fools mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul”. Proverbs chapter 21 and verse 23 states “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles”.
Isaiah chapter 58 and verse 10 instructs “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity...”. Jeremiah chapter 20 and verse 13 says “Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers”. Matthew chapter 26 and verse 38 says “Then saith unto them, my soul is exceedingly sorrowful...”. James chapter 5 and verse 20 clarifies “...he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins”. Also, in Acts chapter 2 and verse 43 it states “Fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles”. In 3rd John chapter 1 and verse 2 it reiterates the theme that the soul is a living person “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”.
From the above texts the Scripure makes it clear that the soul refers to a living human being.
There is a belief that the soul is separate from the body and at death lives on. This concept is not in Scripture. But this concept has been widely accepted in many religious and secular groups. But where did this concept originate from?
I hope you have learned more about the Scripture. Next month I will look at the origins of the immortal soul concept.
If you would like to know more, contact Sandra 602 466 534
Comments