Spirit, Soul and Body: Charts
These charts come from the book Death Then What: What the Bible Reveals About Life, Death, and Eternity by Everett Wayne Baum. They lay out how Scripture describes the three parts of man and how each one can be turned toward God or toward the flesh.
Man as Created by God
Spirit: the part of man that relates to God.
Directed toward God: yielded to the Holy Spirit.
Directed toward the flesh: dead, darkened, separated from God.
Result: spiritual life or spiritual death.
Soul: mind, will, emotions, desires, thoughts.
Directed toward God: renewed by the Word of God.
Directed toward the flesh: governed by fleshly desires and reasoning.
Result: obedience or rebellion.
Body: the earthly vessel through which man acts.
Directed toward God: presented to God for righteousness.
Directed toward the flesh: used to fulfill sinful desires.
Result: holy conduct or sinful conduct.
Two Directions of Man
The natural man → The spiritual man
Directed by flesh → Directed by the Spirit of God
Governed by earthly desires → Governed by Scripture and the Holy Spirit
Walks by sight → Walks by faith
Seeks self → Seeks God
Mind set on flesh → Mind set on the Spirit
Produces sin → Produces righteousness
Lives according to the old nature → Lives according to the new man
Earthly wisdom → Spiritual wisdom
Carnal thinking → Renewed thinking
Separation from God → Fellowship with God
How the Inner Conflict Works
When the soul yields to… → The result
Fleshly desires → Sin increases
Carnal thoughts → Darkness of understanding
Lust and appetite → Bondage
Pride and self-will → Rebellion
Fear and unbelief → Instability
The Word of God → Faith increases
The Holy Spirit → Spiritual growth
Truth → Freedom
Obedience → Fellowship with God
Righteousness → Peace and life
Terms Used for the Spirit of Man
Other terms or related expressions: Inner Man · Inward Man · Hidden Man of the Heart · Heart (in many contexts) · New Man · Inner Being · Breath of Life · Lamp of the Lord · Breath · Ghost (older English usage in some translations)
Terms Used for the Soul
Other terms or related expressions: Mind · Will · Emotions · Affections · Desires · Understanding · Conscience (closely related function) · Thoughts · Heart (in many passages) · Life (in certain contexts)
Terms Used for the Body
Other terms or related expressions: Flesh · Mortal Body · Physical Body · Natural Body · Earthly Body · Earthen Vessel · Outer Man · Outward Man · Tabernacle · Members · Corruptible Body · Dust · Fleshly Nature · Carnal Nature (when ruled by sin)