Releasing your Spirit

By Jessie Penn Lewis

At the start of this book Jessie Penn-Lewis explains the difference between our spirit, soul and body. Most may believe they know the difference, but do we? The book is in six parts. The first section gives a clear picture of the difference. Each aspect of our beings has its unique role and functions. When we know how to keep them in their proper relationship we will then be free to live through the power and life of the Spirit of God.

The second part describes the carnal Christian, (maybe you don't like the word carnal - try soulish), who have not moved from the soulish into being more fully led by the Holy Spirit. As I read the book I was struck by the thought that there may be many of is who are unknowingly living in this soulish realm most of the time.

Part three talks of the soul man, A believer may cease to be ruled by the flesh and still be ruled by the soul � his soul has not yet been fully renewed and animated by God so that the Holy Spirit may work through his regenerated human spirit without any hindrance. I've often wondered why so many seem to fall away after claiming to be saved. Jessie writes that the appeal to the senses and emotions of the soul accounts for a large percentage of converts who do not remain in the faith. I found this section quite challenging.

Part four, Dividing Soul and Spirit, points out the absolute necessity of this dividing, if we are to be truly spiritual in Christ. This dividing by the Sword of the Spirit -Hebrews 4:12 - is as it were, taking to pieces the whole being of man, spiritual, soulish and corporeal, even as the priest flayed and divide limb from limb, the animal for the burnt offering - 2 Chronicles 35:11. Our High Priest will do this in us, but it will by our invitation. We need to discern what is the spirit and what is soul, so that we follow the one and refuse the other.

Part five, Laws of the Spirit Life, points out there are only two verses in Scripture that mention spirit, soul and body together. Sadly, many Christians change the order and say body, soul and spirit reversing what God has said. As we view this order in the right sequence we see the significance of what Paul is teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We also need to realise what is coming from our own spirit, and how to read our spirit to see if we are co-operating with God's Holy Spirit. I found this section very practical.

The final section is on The Spiritual Christian. Believe it or not� the way we are meant to be! The spiritual Christian is described by Paul - 1 Corinthians 2:6 - as perfect, mature that is, fully grown in Christ. We need to be able to receive the deep things of God, - 1 Corinthians 2:10 - the things that only the Holy Spirit could show us. I quote,

if we carefully examine all the references in Paul's epistles to the perfect or complete believer, we will see that the requirement for reaching that spiritual stage, is in having one's soul and spirit divided by the Sword of the Spirit.

Jan McGoram

This book is available in the 'Books in Touch' section