There are four different spiritual states that need to be discerned in the study of biblical psychology. Consider Psalm 32 as a passage of Scripture that conveys these different states.
- Animals have no human spirit.
“Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.” v. 9
When God created man in His image, He did not speak him into existence (as in the case of lower forms of life such as animals), but “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath [spirit] of life; and man became a living being [soul]” (Gen. 2:7; cf. Heb. 12:9).
- All people have a human spirit, but the unregenerate person (unsaved person) has a spirit that is dead toward God.
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;” v. 10a
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins…” (Eph 2:1; cf. Gen. 2:17).
- Regenerate believers (who are born again spiritually) may lapse into a carnal condition in their soul (which can also include negative physical consequences).
“When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah.” vv. 3-4
For unhindered fellowship with God to be restored, confession and repentance are necessary.
“I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” vv.5-6
Disobedience and harboring sin can lead to divine chastisement for correction (vv. 3,4; cf. 1 Cor. 11:30,31; Heb. 12:5-11).
- Regenerate believers are called to live as spiritual people, in unhindered fellowship with God.
- Appreciating God’s pardon and cleansing
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not [b]impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit.” vv. 1-2
- Praying and trusting the Lord
“For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” vv. 6-7
“…But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.” v. 10b
- Looking to God’s instruction and guidance
[God responds to the psalmist]
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.” v. 8
- Expressing joyful worship
“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” v. 11
Conclusion
These states of people (numbers 2,3,4 above) are also described in 1 Corinthians as
- The natural (soulical) man who Ispiritually dead. (1 Cor. 2:14)
- The carnal (fleshly) Christian (1 Cor. 3:1-4; cf. James 4:1-4)
- The spiritual Christian (1 Cor. 2:6-12, 15, 16).
May we discern these states of spiritual condition in order to appreciate our dignity as created in God image, to share the gospel with the unregenerate, and live and counsel children of God to turn away from a carnal condition to live as spiritual, Holy Spirit-filled believers (Eph. 5:18).
JBW
Biblical Psychology 