Spirit/spirits

<<unseen life force>>

The word spirit, also translated as ‘wind’ and ‘breath’, represents our inner being, the core of who we are, the essence of our existence, the life-enabling capacity given by God. Although we have a spirit, we are not spirits (Gen 2:7; Job 33:4; Ps 104:29,30; Isa 42:5; Mk 2:8; Act 7:59; Rom 1:9, 8:9-16; 1 Cor 5:3-5). As believers we can have an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father through our spirit for we are spiritually alive to Him, however unbelievers are spiritually dead and unresponsive to the things of God, with Satan literally blinding their minds (1 Cor 2:14; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 1:13, 2:1-5; Col 2:13; Jas 2:26). At death, the spirit returns to God and awaits to be reunited with the person’s resurrected body to spend eternity in heaven or hell (Lk 8:55; Act 7:59; 2 Cor 5:1-5; Jas 2:26). As a living being Adam was orientated to the earthly realm, (becoming spiritually dead through sinning), while Christ as a life-giving spirit was tuned to heaven (1 Cor 15:45).

Sometimes the original Bible translators used one word (heart) to include soul and spirit, however the spirit is contrasted to the flesh or body, the material part of us (Mt 26:41; Jn 6:63). We are to protect our spirit even more than our body for it is the source of all life

Diligently protect your spirit from evil

and true enrichment, and both our body and spirit can be devoted to God or contaminated by sin (Prov 4:23; Mal 2:15,16; 1 Cor 7:34; 2 Cor 7:1).

God is Spirit, and must be worshipped ‘in spirit and truth’, meaning in genuine honesty of heart, not by lifeless human rituals. Scriptural principles guide us to bow humbly before Him and declare He is worthy (Jn 4:24; Rev 4:11, 5:9,12).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God” (Mt 5:3). This refers to those who recognizing their spiritual inadequacy, rely fully on the sacrifice of Jesus to save them.

Belief in spirit guides is commonly associated with New Age, pagan, and spiritualistic belief systems. The concept is these allegedly friendly 'unseen helpers' enable a person to discover some secret wisdom and rise to a higher level of consciousness guiding them

The Holy Spirit is to be our Guide

find a fulfilling life. Truth is considered relative and there being many paths to God, for man is inherently good and has unlimited potential for power and advancement with the main purpose to be transformed through spiritual awareness to realize his inner divinity. However, they are not benevolent as they trap and destroy people with false teachings and occult practices. Spirit guides represent a world-view that is diametrically opposed to what the Bible teaches that man is inherently sinful, and no one is truly good yet God is truth, and Jesus Christ is the only way to a right relationship with Him (Mk 10:18; Jn 14:6; Act 4:12; Rom 3:12). The Bible declares our purpose is to glorify God and be conformed to His image (Eccl 12:13; Rom 8:29).

The Bible warns against dabbling in the spirit world, but "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (Lev 19:31, 20:27; Deut 18:11,12; 1 Chr 10:13; 1 Jn 4:1). God has put His Holy Spirit within each believer, who together with the Word of God is to guide us.