And pray in the Spirit …
Summary: How we see ourselves “inside” has a lot to do with how we see God at work in our lives. Like we understand the parts of our bodies, we also need to understand the parts of our invisible selves.
How do you “see yourself?” When you look inside, what are you looking at?
Perhaps another way of asking this question is this: “What are you thinking about?”
As I think about how I function and what the Bible might mean by the words “spirit” and “soul,” I have come to realize that there are several distinct parts of “me.”
For example, in his letter to the Romans, Paul writes:
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)
There are three parts of our invisible self illustrated in this verse. First is the “mind.” The mind is where we do our thinking and reasoning. The second part is the “flesh.” The flesh is the source of our sensual input: sight, sound, smell, etc. The flesh also generates feelings like hunger or pain. Third is the spiritual component. (In this case, Paul is referring to God’s Spirit.)
What I call the “inner eye” is where I choose to put my attention. For example, if my body wants food, I feel hungry. My body is trying to get my attention because it wants food. Spiritually, the same thing happens when the spirit wants attention. I sense that something needs to be done or, perhaps, not done.
We have the ability to choose where to put our attention.
Sadly, most of the time, I don’t use this ability to choose. Generally, I follow my nose like an old dog on a leash, curious about every smell along the trail. Sometimes, though, I stop sniffing, and after scratching a few fleas, put my “inner eye” in a particular place.
When Paul talks about being “in the Spirit,” I think part of what he is saying is that we should keep our “inner eye” focused on God. The “Spirit,” after all, is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is Holy because it is God’s Spirit. How does God do this? I don’t know, but I believe he does.
So how do we do that? How do we keep our “inner eye” on God’s Spirit while our flesh is crying for attention and our mind is busy thinking thoughts?
One method is to use calming music. When Elisha was asked to give Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, a word from the Lord, he called for a harpist. Then the Bible says, “While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha …” (2 Kings 3:15).
Distracting the mind and the body allows our “inner eye” to focus on God and wait on him. It is not the only way to pray in the Spirit, but if it was good enough for Elisha, it might be good enough for you and me, too.
Application: Experiment with your prayer time. Like Elisha, play relaxing music in a quiet place and focus on God.
Food for Thought: How do you divide the “inner self?” Do you think it is helpful to do so?
I think the context of the question is how do we (or I) divide the “inner self” in prayer, but I also think the answer applies in other areas of living in the Spirit.
I agree that soft music helps divide the inner self.
I also believe that praying before praying divides the inner self. That may sound strange but I say that in this context:
The best way to cook a meal is to do meal prep: get all the ingredients out, cut everything up, and get the pots and pans ready. Offering our hearts and minds up to the Spirit asking for clarity is like preparing for prayer. In that same context, we may have things we want to discuss with the Lord, but the Spirit may want to address other things first. I have had times when I wanted to discuss A but the Spirit wanted to discuss B. Turned out that my A was the B, and His B was the A. That is part the beauty of the Spirit, we may think we are ready to “launch the ship” but the Spirit says “better check your rudder.”
Ephesians 3:16 ESV That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Chris,
Your thoughts about meal prep caused me to think about the “man shall not live by bread alone” passages in the Bible (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4).
Your larger point about A being B and B being A is well made. It is like God is tunneling towards us and we are tunneling towards him. Somewhere in the middle, we meet.
Thank you!!
11-09-2023, How do you divide the “inner self?” Do you think it is helpful to do so?
When we were saved, we were born again. Jesus Christ has come to live in our spirit, to be the source of our life and the power of Godly living. He doesn’t want to remain confined to our spirit, simply guaranteeing our salvation. He wants to spread into our soul, transform us into His image, sharing the love of God with those He brings into our lives. This is a lifelong process.
2 Corinthians 3:18:
But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit.
This process requires we separate ourselves from this world, to our God as we grow in His teachings, receive His truths and find peace. Spending time in prayer, listening to the Lord and studies of the inspired writings of Godly men will give us purpose which will be revealed to each by our Lord.
1 Peter 2:2:
like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
John 6:27:
Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.
Ron,
I love your description of God’s work in our lives:
“He wants to spread into our soul, transform us into His image…”
Amen!
Good comments above. I like CH’s meal prep analogy.
While I have a slightly different take on the flesh (at least I think I do, maybe just more clarity would see we are seeing it the same), I do think it is good to be aware of how God made us. I like to think of it as body, soul and spirit. All of which God made good and should be submitted to Him as Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 – 24: May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
To do this our focus needs to be upon the Lord. I like how in your devotion you point us to eliminating distractions to keep a singular focus upon Christ for prayer and meditation. I think I already have too much of me. What I need is more of Him.
Brother Rich,
You note that we might have a “different take” on this, but also it might be the same (sort of like Chris’s A=B and B=A thing). One thing I know is that I continue to learn from your perspective and your comments. I deeply appreciate you sharing them here.
The 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 – 24 passage is interesting and raises some questions about the context and the intent. I look forward to the day when we are able to sit in the presence of the Lord together and we no longer are looking through a dark glass (1 Cor 13:12).
The Spirit of the Lord is constantly crying out, “who can I send? Who will hear what I have to say to My people? Who will be a faithful messenger?”
Answer. The one who hears and says, “send me!”
For me, the music comes after I obey
Thank you for sharing today!
It sounds like you are holding out for the Victory March instead of harp music. 🙂