What Does the Bible Say About Body, Soul, and Spirit Health?
Some of the most joyous occasions often center upon enjoying God’s new creation in us—body, soul, and spirit. Think about the birth of a child. The mother is exhausted but miraculously revived because of the bundle of joy in her arms. How about when you have been ill for several days, and after taking care of your body and resting, you feel suddenly revived and renewed! There is a connection between your body’s health and spiritual health. When one of those areas are off balance, we need a plan to get back on-track… with prayer, purpose, and self-discipline.
Stress Impacts Your Body, Soul, and Spirit
We have seen the role stress and even finances can play in regard to health. It is important to know there are practical steps we can take to walk in victory. All of this starts with understanding the power of the blood of Jesus in our lives, and specifically how His sacrifice impacts our body, soul, and spirit health.
Remember…our bodies were bought at a price!
How Jesus’ Blood Covering Heals Your Body, Soul, and Spirit
In Isaiah 53, we’re given a beautiful picture of what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.
- “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, emphasis added)
Matthew refers back to this prophecy in chapter 8:
- “…that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.”
(Matthew 8:17)
You can see in these scriptures an overlap between iniquity and infirmity and how Jesus paid for both. Our spiritual health is directly related to our physical and emotional health, and Jesus, as our Creator and Redeemer, is fully devoted to whole healing.
In 3 John, we see this connection again:
- “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, even as it goes well with your soul.” (3 John 1:2, emphasis added)
John is blessing his brothers and sisters with health in their bodies, as it connects to their emotions and spirit.
We honor our bodies best when we realize the importance of this “triune nature” of our being. Sometimes physical health problems with mysterious symptoms can be traced back to the result of a broken heart and dejected spirit. Until that is healed, the symptoms persist and vice versa.
Open Your Life to His Healing
Jesus wants you to open the full spectrum of your life to Him, body, soul, and spirit, for He knows exactly where the root of your pain is and how to address it.
Whether we experience supernatural healing or He guides us to the right doctor, counselor, and prayer partner we need, Jesus’ goal is wholeness. We can trust Him to restore us to the abundant quality of life He intended as we continue to receive Him in and follow His voice.
Starting the endeavor to align your body, soul, and spirit with God’s Word could seem overwhelming. However, there are some easy steps to get you started. God is patient, and relying on Holy Spirit makes all things possible.
Often there are pain points causing roadblocks in spiritual, physical, and financial health.
Practical Steps to Align Your Body, Soul, and Spirit
- Choose change. Concerning your physical health, choose a different road. Instead of living in the lie of discouragement, call on the Lord to give you the strength to make a healthier choice during shopping or eating out.
- Go before God and humble yourself, asking forgiveness for not respecting His temple. It may be appropriate to confess that food or something else was being used to fill a void only He can satisfy.
- Yield to Spirit’s prompting. Before you begin a meal, listen to any prompting from Holy Spirit. Is He giving you a clear direction on what you should eat or what you should refrain from?
- Encourage others. “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). Consume the pleasant Words of God, and pour them out to others. Gracious words spoken to others edify and encourage. Speak truth in love to someone today.
- Lighten up! Take a moment each day to enjoy the beautiful blessings God has given to you, just as David did in the streets; sing, dance, and praise His holy name!
Keys to Battling an Oppressive Spirit
If you are struggling with depression and oppression right now…
- First, write down ten things you can thank the Lord for at this moment. Thank Him for a safe dwelling place, food, the breath of life, and freedom from condemnation in Christ, just to name a few.
- Next, write down what was oppressing you. Is it a feeling or emotion, situation, or person? Be specific.
- Then pray… “Lord, I thank you for these ten blessings, that they far out-weigh the situation that is holding me back from experiencing more of You. Lord, I cancel and bind it. In Yeshua’s name, I deny the power of that situation to steal the joy you’ve allowed me access to!”
The Encouragement Challenge
Finally, I leave you with a challenge. Send encouraging words to others daily for 30 days and see how it impacts your mind, will, and emotions. You’ll see God bless you and others in countless ways. Record how the Lord impacts your life during this time, and you’ll find this also encourages you.
I release this blessing to you today… rejoice and celebrate His goodness in your life! “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).Consider what goals Jesus may be putting on your heart to set regarding body, soul, and spirit health. He always invites us to participate with Him and gives us what we need to follow through!