Does Curiosity Feed the Soul?

[Kratos]

I am going to vent here a concern I have been having for weeks and cannot seem to shake it.

Many agree with my understanding that there are two sources of life or animation from which we can feed and draw our energy. We see these two sources expressed through either the man of the soul (psuchikos from psuche or the soul) or the spirit man (pneumatikos from pneuma or the spirit).

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  But the natural (psuchikos) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually (pneumatikos) discerned.

A lost person has no choice except to live by his own natural or soulical life because until his spirit experiences regeneration by the Holy Spirit that is all that he has. However, once we are saved we now have a choice. We can continue to live by our natural or soulical life or we can take heed to our spirit and deny our self (soul) and live by the zoe life of our spirit.

Specifically, I am concerned how many Christians feed or strengthen their souls by feeding their mental man by giving their curiosity free reign. We expect this from the lost and many stop by here and other Christian forums to let their curiosity run free and explore truth. But Jesus told us to deny ourselves that we might have spiritual life instead. Here are two of my favorite verses from the Bible and it may reveal my heart to others on this hard saying.

1Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1Pe 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Job 32:7  I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
Job 32:8  But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Job 32:9  Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

If this does not speak to you then just ignore it as the ramblings of an old Holy Ghost man, but I used to love knowledge and Bible study with my Lexicons and dictionaries so I could challenge and impress the congregation with my mental prowess. But, experience has taught me that this is all vanity and changes no one like many of our recent discussions. I found that what came from me really had little or no value in God's Kingdom.

I finally learned that only what I received from God really had spiritual life. I found that only when I ministered the gift of God and only spoke when I could do so as an oracle of God did it make a real difference. Indeed, we think that being aged should speak wisdom and our years of study should carry spiritual weight, but it does not.

However, there is a spirit in man and it is the breath or the inspiration of the Almighty that gives real understanding. Flesh and blood does not reveal truth to us, but our Father in Heaven.

I speak not as a Moderator, but just as a member hungry to hear the voice of my Lord. Perhaps this forum could use a little less "I think" or "I believe" or "I have studied" and a little more "Thus sayeth the Lord" and "The Lord spoke to me" and "God showed me" etc.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Take heed to your spirit and catch a nugget from Heaven and not just depend on what we can figure out through our natural man. I could use with more of His Presence and a little less of man's mental gymnastics.

Please understand that I am pointing four fingers back at me in this as I am hearing the call to "Come up Higher". If it is not what you are hearing, just ignore my late night wranglings.

John

[arcticmonster2003]

But, experience has taught me that this is all vanity and changes no one like many of our recent discussions. I found that what came from me really had little or no value in God's Kingdom.

I do understand what you are saying, in fact the biggest revelation I've ever had is that "I" can't do almost anything. And that the "human race" can't do much either.

Only God is able.

For example: Global Warming - humans are taught everyday that we can actually do something about this now. I think it is relatively clear that in a world where many would sell their children for a years worth of food, any "global effort" (which is what would be required, at least to reduce our pollution, if infact our pollution is actually the cause of global warming) is just not going to happen, no matter how many speeches, rallies, "green" products and such. But peoples wills to not serve God and put things in his hands are so strong that they will never admit "the human race" just can't tackle this one or any problem. I read an arcticle a couple of years ago that by 2035 or so China alone will produce more pollution every year than the total amount of pollution that had been produced by mankind up to the time the arcticle was written. I mean come on.

I will agree that I often fall short of this revelation, thinking somehow I can change something. What I can do is plant a seed in someone, and water it, but thats it. It is in our nature to understand everything though, in our brains, and this is vanity. Yes, curiosity does feed the soul. We must also pass the time, too often we do so through our soul life. I have also found that I am called too do this less, ALL of my best time is spent simply waiting on God, this is where the peace is.

[AbbasChild]

I am going to vent here a concern I have been having for weeks and cannot seem to shake it.

Many agree with my understanding that there are two sources of life or animation from which we can feed and draw our energy. We see these two sources expressed through either the man of the soul (psuchikos from psuche or the soul) or the spirit man (pneumatikos from pneuma or the spirit).

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  But the natural (psuchikos) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually (pneumatikos) discerned.

A lost person has no choice except to live by his own natural or soulical life because until his spirit experiences regeneration by the Holy Spirit that is all that he has. However, once we are saved we now have a choice. We can continue to live by our natural or soulical life or we can take heed to our spirit and deny our self (soul) and live by the zoe life of our spirit.

Specifically, I am concerned how many Christians feed or strengthen their souls by feeding their mental man by giving their curiosity free reign. We expect this from the lost and many stop by here and other Christian forums to let their curiosity run free and explore truth. But Jesus told us to deny ourselves that we might have spiritual life instead. Here are two of my favorite verses from the Bible and it may reveal my heart to others on this hard saying.

1Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1Pe 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Job 32:7  I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
Job 32:8  But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Job 32:9  Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

If this does not speak to you then just ignore it as the ramblings of an old Holy Ghost man, but I used to love knowledge and Bible study with my Lexicons and dictionaries so I could challenge and impress the congregation with my mental prowess. But, experience has taught me that this is all vanity and changes no one like many of our recent discussions. I found that what came from me really had little or no value in God's Kingdom.

I finally learned that only what I received from God really had spiritual life. I found that only when I ministered the gift of God and only spoke when I could do so as an oracle of God did it make a real difference. Indeed, we think that being aged should speak wisdom and our years of study should carry spiritual weight, but it does not.

However, there is a spirit in man and it is the breath or the inspiration of the Almighty that gives real understanding. Flesh and blood does not reveal truth to us, but our Father in Heaven.

I speak not as a Moderator, but just as a member hungry to hear the voice of my Lord. Perhaps this forum could use a little less "I think" or "I believe" or "I have studied" and a little more "Thus sayeth the Lord" and "The Lord spoke to me" and "God showed me" etc.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Take heed to your spirit and catch a nugget from Heaven and not just depend on what we can figure out through our natural man. I could use with more of His Presence and a little less of man's mental gymnastics.

Please understand that I am pointing four fingers back at me in this as I am hearing the call to "Come up Higher". If it is not what you are hearing, just ignore my late night wranglings.

John

:thumbsup: I absolutley agree. This is one of the things Father is teaching me right now. Thank you for sharing some of your wisdom again. I always enjoy reading your posts.

[gatheredfragments]

Bravo!  For the Holy Spirit has inspired this topic for sure.

Example:
My mom is trying to learn a technique in art that she cannot grasp.  She comes to me and asks for help, I assist in the method that she is accustomed to, the method that is 'by the book'.  It leaves her unsatisfied.  That doesn't matter though, because I did what I was asked, she should therefore be content.

Not five minutes later, into my own work, the HS comes over me and tells me what I need to do for HER benefit, to help HER, not just 'fulfill' a duty. 

It gives me direction to throw OUT the norm, and challenge her.  So, I did as I was told, exactly following the way I was directed.  I took the appropriate supplies, and went to her with a smile on my face, and said:  The Holy Spirit says I need to show you this technique, this way.

She listened.  She opened up, and JOY became her face, her heart, her mind, and her work...and all the day long...we have shared in this experience...and she has come to reconsider the 'strict' methods of 'how it has always been'.  The project will continue, and I will listen and give to my mother, what the "oracle' is given to give.....and with what JOY I am blessed to do so. 

I get my first experience of teaching art technique, via God's love, to my mother, who feared stepping out on her own and trusting the gift inside herself.

Bravo John...

God moves.....and we better be on our toes.


  :mwink:

[hopeful]

I speak not as a Moderator, but just as a member hungry to hear the voice of my Lord. Perhaps this forum could use a little less "I think" or "I believe" or "I have studied" and a little more "Thus sayeth the Lord" and "The Lord spoke to me" and "God showed me" etc.

Hi John,

How bout, "I think the Lord showed me."  Will that work?   :Sparkletooth:

[whyiloveitaly.com]

Kratos:

I agree with the need for the Holy Ghost to keep us on track. I think the 'difficult' part is checking to see if what we hear brings forth the peacable fruits of the Spirit. After all, denominations exist thanks to what people have heard from the Lord. But does God want us divided? Or maybe He does?   (Not to mention groups that have committed violence, war, etc. 'on God's mandate!')

We need discernment. Maybe that's what we should discuss more deeply on this forum.

Brian (formerly 'Not Paul But Small')