What faculties does the soul have?

In “Soul Series, Parts 4 & 5,” we demonstrate that the soul has certain faculties/gifts, even after death. To examine this further, let’s ask an appropriate question: Where in scripture will we see reference to these gifts?

In scripture these faculties are described in two ways, collectively and individually. We present, here, an overview, only. In future writings there will be a more detailed analysis of these faculties/gifts, for they are truly gifts from God.

The word “member(s),” as mentioned in the following verses, refers to the collective gifts of the soul.

“Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.” Job 17:7 KJV*

“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16 KJV*

“I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” Romans 6:19 KJV*

“But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Romans 7:23 KJV*

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” James 4:1 KJV*

Scripture places these members/gifts into two classes. The first is “sense(s)” and the second is “administration.”

Senses

Consider the following, often overlooked, passage of scripture:

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14 KJV*

What is the word “senses” in this verse referring to? If it is physical senses, then how do physical senses discern good and evil? How does exercising them increase our level of discernment? We conclude this verse is referring to soul and spirit senses. The spirit senses we will address in future articles; however, we will now concern ourselves with only the “soul” senses.

Once again, time and space prohibit a detailed study so we will keep it brief. Later we will publish articles covering these senses in greater detail.

How many soul senses are there?

We look to the body to see how God purposed the blueprint for understanding spirit, soul and body. Since the body is recognized to be gifted with five senses, we rightly conclude the soul also has five senses. We demonstrate several of them in the Hebrew passage about Samuel and Saul, and again in the Greek passage about the rich man, Lazarus, and Abraham.

What are the five senses of the soul?

From our reference passages, we learn that the five soul senses are “Reason,” “Affection,” “Memory,” “Imagination,” and “Conscience.” Each is a gift from God, specifically fashioned to operate in three realms: physical, soulish, and spiritual.

• Reason – Our referenced souls demonstrate reason. Samuel reasons with Saul, and Abraham reasons with the rich man and the rich man tries to reason with Lazarus. A soul must have the gift of reason to communicate in this life and the life hereafter.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 KJV*

• Affection – Our referenced souls demonstrate affection (emotion). Samuel is unhappy about being disturbed. The rich man is distressed about his family. A soul must have the gift of emotion to connect with God, other souls and to safeguard their own future in this life and the afterlife.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 KJV*

• Memory – Our referenced souls demonstrate memory. Samuel remembers Saul and his standing before God. The rich man remembers Lazarus and recognizes Abraham. A soul must have the gift of memory to relate to life, and after-death, circumstances. People with short term memory issues certainly recognize this. With no memory at all, one cannot know who he is!

“The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Proverbs 10:7 KJV*

“By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:2 KJV*

• Imagination – Our referenced souls demonstrate imagination. Samuel imagines the future where Saul and his sons will die. The rich man imagines his family coming to the place of torment. The soul must have the gift of imagination to function and to plan here and hereafter.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV*

• Conscience – While the imagination looks forward…conscience looks back! Our referenced souls look back. When Samuel looks back at the time when God warns Samuel to stop mourning for Saul, his conscience is pricked, and he is disquieted (he quakes). The rich man demonstrates remorse (conscience) triggering him to seek help for his family. The soul, therefore, has the gift of conscience, the inherent judge (keeper of the law) and personal conduct, on Earth, in Heaven and Sheol.

“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.” John 8:9 KJV*

We see here how God has fashioned us with great wisdom. He’s left nothing out, even enabling these senses, on occasion, to take over the duties of one when another is incapacitated.

We will continue our study in the next article, “Soul Series, Part 7 (Holy Place)”

^* Comments, revisions and emphases are our own.