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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Soul (07/13/06)
With All Your Soul


There are about ten worldly ways to define the word soul. As I sit and reflect on what soul means; I find it difficult to put it into words. I know that it is a part of me. It surely exists. Clearly, there is a depth to the soul that goes beyond any explanation. However, what I do know is that deep within my soul there is a multitude of feelings, emotions, and forces that drive me to think, act, react, and feel the way that I do at any given moment. In the essence of defining soul, it is simply the very core of a person.
What is the purpose of the soul? Biblically speaking, the purpose of the soul is to obey God. Some may say that the heart is the root of a person. However, the heart and soul are two separate entities. We know this because the first three occurrences in the NIV version of Deuteronomy all say, “with all you heart and with all your soul” (Bible Gateway). There is a godly distinction.
I believe the heart captures the forces around us that go down in to the soul to remain there. The contents of the soul determine the type of person we are or become.
As an example, the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 explains the soul. Hannah shared a husband with another woman. As if that was not troubling enough, she was unable to have children. Hannah was taunted daily by the other wife, Penninah. Hannah endured disturbing mental torture from Penninah. In this passage, she never defends herself. She allowed her heart to withstand all of the hurt. The hurt penetrated the depths of her soul. In 1 Samuel 1:10 is says, “In bitterness of soul, Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord” (Bible Gateway). The depths of her soul knew all of the bitterness her heart had captured and what was now a film of sin within her soul. In verse fifteen, she tells the priest she “was pouring my soul out to the Lord.” All of the emotion, feeling, and depth of her misery were coming out of heart. Her heart had been broken and her soul was heavy with bitterness.
God blessed Hannah with her request for he son because her “pouring out” cleansed her soul. We cannot love God with all of soul if there is sin present. The depths of our soul determine whether we live or die and whether or not we have salvation. Psalms 62:1 perfectly explains, “My soul find rest in God alone, my salvation comes from him” (Bible Gateway). When our souls are cleansed and at peace, salvation and blessing are ours. So with all you heart and soul- Love the Lord, your God.


Bible Gateway. NIV search. Retrieved on July 19, 2006 from www.biblegateway.net.
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Member Comments
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Date
Trina Courtenay
07/21/06
What an awesome devotional type article.

May the Lord continue to guide your quill as you write to glorify HIM!