Good morning, friends.

Today, I want to talk about a question that’s puzzled people for centuries: What’s the difference between our soul and our spirit? What does it mean to live as a human being with both, here on Earth, for a short time, but with eternity written into our hearts?

Let’s start with the soul. Our soul is what makes us human. It’s the part of us that feels, that hopes, that dreams, that hurts. The soul is where our personality lives—our likes and dislikes, our memories, our laughter, our tears. When you feel joy at a sunset, or grief at a loss, or love for a friend, that’s your soul responding. It’s our soul that carries the stories of our lives, the things that make us unique.

But the Bible also talks about the spirit—something even deeper. While our soul is our emotional and moral center, our spirit is the part of us that connects directly to God. The spirit is that spark of the divine, that eternal whisper that reminds us we were made for more than just this world. Our spirit is what longs for God, what listens for His voice, what finds peace in His presence. It’s the compass that points us home.

Think of it this way: your soul is your human experience, the “you” that walks around on this Earth. Your spirit is the part of you that belongs to God, that never really dies, that’s always reaching for the light.

Sometimes, I imagine our time on Earth as a kind of simulation—a testing ground, a classroom, a place where our spirits get to grow and learn what it really means to be children of God. Our souls go through ups and downs, joys and sorrows, love and loss. But through every experience, it’s our spirit that’s being shaped, refined, and made ready for something greater.

You see, God gives us this time on Earth—not as a punishment or a meaningless cycle, but as a precious opportunity. Our souls, with all their struggles and questions, are like tools our spirits use to grow stronger, wiser, more compassionate. In every challenge, every relationship, every quiet moment, our spirit is learning what it means to trust, to love, to forgive.

The apostle Paul hints at this in his letters. He writes, “May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23) In just one sentence, Paul points out that we are complex—body, soul, and spirit. Each is unique. Each is necessary. Each serves a purpose in God’s grand design.

When you struggle, when you stumble, when you wonder why life can be so hard, remember: this is a place of learning. Your soul is experiencing what it means to be human, but your spirit, if you let it, is growing closer to God. The things we go through, the choices we make, the love we give and receive—they’re all shaping us, preparing us for eternity.

And here’s what’s beautiful: while our souls may get weary, our spirits are renewed by God’s love. While our bodies may fail, our spirits remain alive in Him. No matter how broken or battered your soul feels, your spirit can find rest and hope in the arms of God.

So what do we do with this knowledge?

We nurture our souls—with honesty, with kindness, with forgiveness. We tend to our relationships, we seek out beauty, we tell the truth about our pain. And we feed our spirits—with prayer, with worship, with moments of quiet where we simply let ourselves be loved by God.

When you feel the weight of being human, remember: your spirit is eternal. This life is a chapter, not the whole story. Every lesson, every joy, every sorrow—it’s all being woven together for a purpose we can only glimpse.

Maybe you feel like you’re just passing through, like this world isn’t really your home. You’re right. Your soul belongs here for a little while, but your spirit is already reaching beyond, already longing for the place where you’ll truly belong—with God.

So don’t lose heart. This “testing ground” isn’t wasted. Every day, every moment, your spirit is growing through your soul’s experience. One day, you’ll understand why the journey was worth it.

Let’s pray.

God, thank You for giving us souls that feel and spirits that long for You. Help us to grow, to learn, to love, and to trust that You are shaping us for something greater. Remind us that our spirits belong to You, and that this life is just the beginning. In all things, let us find our hope and our home in You. Amen.