We conclude our Series about the Soul by examining the Administrations therein

 

Administrations

The soul, as in life and the hereafter, requires rules and order to operate in harmony. Although we think there are probably five administrations, at this time we know of only four. They are the mind, the heart, the soul, and the strength. Again, our purpose here is to give you an overview. Future articles will cover each of these in detail.

• The Mind – In our reference passages, Samuel demonstrates a state of mind. Do you see it? In death, when Samuel is brought up, his attitude (his state of mind) toward Saul has not changed. The rich man, too, sees himself the same way as he did before he died. Although demonstrating no repentance, he manifests a definitive mindset toward his family.

The mind is the most vulnerable of the four known administration gifts. However, it is essential, for God purposes it to exercise measured governance over our soul senses. It is also the ground where God battles Satan for the future of all creation. Since it is the crossroad of our essence, all our senses compete for influence there. It is completely open to the power of suggestion. Whatsoever gets our attention opens an opportunity to influence the mind.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV*

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 KJV*

• The Heart – In our reference passages, Samuel, the rich man, and Abraham, act like men. Man behaves like no other created creature. After dying, these men act much the same way as they did before their souls are separate from their bodies. Their hearts have not changed. It is the heart of man which determines how this creature, called man, acts and therefore, it is the final arbiter of all his actions.

The imagery in our book illustrates this well. The role of the heart is to sift through all our conscious and unconscious intents. It filters our choices, while applying our secret priorities and desires, before giving our soul permission to act. It is, also, the secret-keeper, even keeping secrets from us, while arbitrating what we are about to do. It is mentioned as self-deceitful. The natural mind of man and the natural physiology of man refuse to accept God purpose for the heart and have elected the will to fulfill that role. In so doing it makes the will an idol, creating great confusion and double mindedness.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 KJV*

Another interesting point: man’s nature (and what makes him human) resides in the heart. The physical heart pumps blood containing, among other things, the DNA blueprint of our physical body. The soul heart, too, provides soulish substance (our nature) through the soul which causes us to act as humans. In the following passages, we see Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, whose nature is changed, by God, from that of a man to that of a beast. While, to a bystander it may appear that he’s just lost his sanity, in reality he now has the heart of an animal.

“Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.” Daniel 4:16 KJV*

“But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” Daniel 5:20-21 KJV*

• The Strength – This is another administration member, often overlooked, even though scripture is full of references to its existence. “Strength, as used here, is a noun. Webster’s Dictionary describes “strength” as “power or force to act by resistance, sustaining, maintaining, and to oppose, (paraphrased).”

We, once again look to our blueprint to understand what is meant by the word “strength” when referring to the soul. Just as blood nourishes muscles, thereby rendering the physical body strong, the power of the soul nourishes our soul’s muscles, thereby rendering the soul strong. In this illustration, traits of character are as the muscles of the soul and are nourished by the personal spirit and the Holy Spirit.

Character is the sum total of the expression of the soul in thought, word, or deed. It is a single term referring to the collective actions of the soul’s members. Webster’s Dictionary describes character as “a feature used to separate distinguishable things into categories; the detectable expression or action of; the aggregate distinctive qualities of a type; the complex mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation.”

“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32 KJV*

• The Will – The last administration member we will consider is the will. Ah, the member we condemn the most. The member that baffles our well-intended efforts to do the right thing. The member which produces our double mindedness and then plays hide and seek from our self-analysis.

The will is the rudder of the soul. Of all our soul’s members, it is the one most likely worshipped as an idol. It is not the final arbiter of one’s actions…a province reserved for the heart. This rudder, while under siege from our other mutinous members, steers our vessel (personal trinity) through the many tempestuous seas of life. It is not surprising that it is the weakest member of most souls…not all…most.

“Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” Psalm 143:10 KJV*

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42 KJV*

We will continue our study in the next article, “Spirit Series, Part 1 (Most Holy Place)”

^* Comments, revisions and emphases are our own.