Tripartite Man
tri·par·tite: /trīˈpärˌtīt/adjective: shared by or involving three parties
Ever met a buffed up 30-year-old dude who had a personality of a punk teenager? Ever met a super spiritual, bible-thumping evangelist with two bellies (one above and one below the belt)?
There’s no doubt respect for each in his own perfected category. In fact, we can look at ourself the same way, even at different times in life. When I was a teenager, for the most part I had full confidence in my appearance, my body. But my spirit was dead and my soul was terribly immature. In my 20’s, my spirit was revived, my body started declining and my soul was still immature. In my 30’s, my spirit and soul matured, body declined. Now, in my 40’s, it depends on the day :-), but I believe that’s because both my spirit and soul are being perfected. But my body? Oh the decay of life.
A warrior life is one with full reality of a tripartite person:
Spirit
Soul
Body
Our spirit is our connection, communication and revelation source to God. Everyone has a spirit, though many times it is deadened by the attacks and distractions of the world, the flesh and enemy through our body and soul. Our spirit is the essence of life, the source of our life. If your spirit is not currently in tune with the Father, there is no better time than right now.
Our soul is also tripartite. The mind, emotion and will. The soul is the middle ground between our spirit and body. It’s our personality. It’s what most folks think of when they say “he’s a good/bad person.”
Our body is our body. Seemingly pretty simple, but in reality is a complicated expression and result over time from our spirit and soul life. The body is evidence of our decisions over time (think about someone who smokes for 30 years). Our bodies are also in decay by the natural course of this world. But our body has great influence back toward the soul and the spirit.
Zombies: Most humans are walking around with a spirit, soul and body completely oblivious to their own composition. Completely passive in life, literally like zombies, allowing constant influences to their spirit, soul or body. Eventually, they awaken confused, frustrated, depressed, dying, hurting, lost, and all kinds of jacked-up-ness.
Strugglers: But even for the conscious person (including clearly myself since I’m writing this post), there is still struggle to be active in the reality of our composition. One day, I may have spiritual revelation and all in life is well. But my soul didn’t fully receive or absorb or possibly even partake in the revelation, therefore it benefits very little. The next day, I land a big piece of business, so emotionally I’m excited, but my will is to take a break or my body is worn out from bidding on the job. The next day, I drink water all day and physically I feel great, emotionally I feel great, but intellectually (mind) I gained nothing.
We are complex, but also simple. There’s no golden egg answer or action. It’s a process. And the process is intentional.
Warriors: It’s the warrior that exemplifies the conscious, continuous, active and intentional fight to perfect the spirit, soul and body. Also, the warrior knows “perfecting” is not a solo effort. Requires God and community. The warrior recognizes that the war is always present, is serious business, but will also not succumb to the path of self-reflection, disappointment, depression, anger and death.
Where are you at today? Zombie? Struggler? Warrior?
What part of your human composition (spirit, soul, body) are you closer to perfection? Which needs more perfecting?
For further reading on this subject, I recommend “The Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee. The title of this book is seemingly goofy, but I promise that it could be the best book you ever read. Whether you are a new or mature believer, or someone that hates Christianity and religion altogether, it will enlighten you to spiritual truth and bypass all the religious crap man has created since the beginning of time.
I then recommend reading “The Spiritual Man”, also by Watchman Nee. Full warning though about “The Spiritual Man”, it requires maturity in life. It’s not for the newborn, It’s for the warrior.
