𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗬 • 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟 • 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧 — 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗗

BODY • SOUL • SPIRIT — RIGHTLY DIVIDED

Key Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless…”

INTRODUCTION

Man is not merely physical. Scripture clearly teaches that man is a three-part being: BODY, SOUL, and SPIRIT. Confusion in Christian living often comes from not knowing which part is acting and which part God is dealing with today.

In this Dispensation of the Grace of God (Eph. 3:1–2), Paul reveals how salvation affects the spirit instantly, the soul progressively, and the body ultimately.

To live victoriously, believers must rightly divide the function and condition of each part.

BODILY BEING
Romans 6:12
Theme: The body is the visible vessel—not the real you.

Visible Frame — The outward man seen by others.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Vulnerable Flesh — Subject to weakness and temptation.
Galatians 5:17
Vanishing Form — Decays and returns to dust.
Ecclesiastes 12:7

BODILY BONDAGE
Romans 8:10
Theme: The body remains corrupted by sin.

Sin-Affected — Still carries Adamic corruption.
Romans 7:18
Subject to Suffering — Pain, sickness, and death remain.
Romans 8:22
Sentence of Separation — Physical death is certain.
Hebrews 9:27

SOUL SEAT
Proverbs 4:23
Theme: The soul is the seat of personality.

Mind Thinking — Reasoning and understanding.
Romans 12:2
Motions Feeling — Emotions, desires, affections.
Psalm 42:5
Motive Willing — Choices and decisions.
Joshua 24:15

SOUL STRUGGLE
James 1:14
Theme: The soul must be renewed daily.

Depraved Desires — Bent toward self.
Jeremiah 17:9
Distracted Decisions — Influenced by flesh and world.
Colossians 2:8
Daily Discipline — Needs truth and doctrine.
1 Peter 2:2

SPIRIT STATE (UNSAVED)
Ephesians 2:1
Theme: The spirit is born dead in sin.

Dead Condition — No fellowship with God.
Romans 5:12
Darkened Capacity — Cannot perceive spiritual truth.
1 Corinthians 2:14
Destined Condemnation — Without Christ, eternal loss.
Ephesians 2:3

SPIRIT SALVATION (SAVED)
Ephesians 2:5
Theme: Salvation instantly quickens the spirit.

Quickened Life — Made alive in Christ.
Colossians 2:13
Connected Fellowship — Direct access to God.
Romans 8:16
Complete Justification — Spirit perfected forever.
Hebrews 10:14

RIGHTLY RECKONED REALITY
2 Timothy 2:15
Theme: Knowing what is saved—and what is not—prevents confusion.

Spirit Secured — Cannot be lost.
Ephesians 1:13
Soul Sanctifying — Renewed by doctrine.
Romans 12:2
Body Still Sinful — Awaiting redemption.
Romans 8:23

PRESENT PRACTICE
Galatians 5:16
Theme: Daily victory depends on walking by the Spirit.

Spirit Leading — Follow God’s indwelling Spirit.
Romans 8:14
Soul Learning — Mind trained by truth.
Colossians 3:10
Body Yielding — Instrument of righteousness.
Romans 6:13

FUTURE FULFILLMENT
Philippians 3:21
Theme: God will complete all three parts.

Body Glorified — Changed at resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:52–53
Soul Perfected — Fully conformed to Christ.
Romans 8:29
Spirit Forever Secure — Eternal union with God.
1 Thessalonians 4:17

CONCLUSION

The spirit is saved instantly
The soul is being renewed daily
The body will be redeemed finally
Confusion disappears when Scripture is rightly divided and grace is understood.
1 Thessalonians 5:23

CALL TO ACTION

Rest in your saved spirit
Renew your thinking soul
Yield your sinful body
Walk daily in grace truth
Romans 12:1–2

FINAL THOUGHTS

You are more than a body
Your spirit is saved forever
Your soul needs daily renewal
Your body still battles sin
Grace explains the struggle
Doctrine brings clarity
Walking by the Spirit brings victory
The resurrection completes redemption
Right division produces peace

Rightly Divided • Grace Understood • Life Transformed