What is the Soul?
The Bible doesn’t give us one simple verse that says, “This is what the soul is.” Instead, throughout Scripture we see different pictures that help us understand it.
The Hebrew word often translated as soul is nephesh, and the New Testament uses the Greek word psychē. Both words can refer to life, the self, a person, our inner being, our desires and our emotions. So, biblically, the soul is more than a separate spiritual part of us. It speaks of who we are at the deepest level of our lives.
Genesis 2:7 gives us an important picture. God formed humanity from the dust of the ground, breathed life into us, and we became a living being. We are embodied people; body and soul are not meant to be completely separated. This means our physical, emotional, relational and spiritual lives are deeply connected.
Your soul is you, as you live before God.
It is the part of your life where your deepest desires, loves, fears, thoughts, choices and longings are formed. It is the place from which you live.
This helps us understand Jesus’ words:
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
— Mark 8:36
Jesus shows us that there is something far more important than outward success, possessions, achievement, or recognition. We can gain everything the world says matters and yet lose touch with the deepest part of who we are and, ultimately, with God.
This is why our soul needs attention.
John Mark Comer describes the soul as the deepest part of our lives, shaped by whatever we give ourselves to. We are always being shaped. The question is not whether we are being formed, but what—or who—is forming us. Following Jesus means learning to be with him, become like him, and live as he lived.
Ruth Haley Barton speaks about the soul as that deep place within us where God is at work—where our deepest longings and desires surface and where we become aware of God's presence and invitation. She encourages us to create space to listen, to bring our whole selves honestly before God, and to allow him to transform us from the inside out.
So perhaps a simple way to think about the soul is this:
Your soul is the deepest part of your life, the whole of who you are as you live before God.
It is not something we can see, but we can see the evidence of it in the way we live.
Think of an iceberg. There is the part that is visible above the water, but much more lies beneath the surface.
Our lives can be like that.
People see what we do, how we look, what we achieve and how we appear to be doing. But underneath are our thoughts, desires, fears, wounds, loves, motivations and longings.
We can spend enormous energy caring for what is visible while neglecting what is happening beneath the surface.
We can pursue success while our soul is becoming exhausted.
We can keep achieving while losing our sense of God's presence.
We can look fine on the outside while something deeper is crying out for attention.
God cares about that deeper place.
And soul care is not about trying harder to fix ourselves. It is about making space for God to meet us, restore us and transform us.
The rhythms (spiritual practices) available to us are not another list of things to achieve. They are invitations to slow down, be with God, and make space for Him to nourish and transform our souls.
As John Mark Comer puts it, spiritual practices create space in our lives for God to do what only God can do.
Our soul is nourished as we learn to live our ordinary lives with God.
Not achieving.
Not striving.
Not trying to become someone else.
But becoming more fully who God created us to be, as we learn to abide with Him.
Ask Yourself
What is happening beneath the surface of my life?
What am I giving most of my attention to, what people can see, or what is happening in my soul?
What might my thoughts, desires, emotions or patterns be revealing about the condition of my soul?
Pause to Pray
God,
You know me fully.
You see what is visible and what is hidden.
Help me to slow down and become aware of what is happening within me.
Show me where I am tired, distracted, striving or longing.
Teach me to bring my whole self to You.
And as I make space for You, do in me what only You can do.
Amen.
Take a Next Step
Take five minutes today to schedule some unhurried time with God this week.
You don't need to accomplish anything.
Simply create some space to be still, become aware of God's presence, and listen.
Come as you are.
Psalm 42:1–2: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, my God.”
Your soul doesn't need anything else to achieve. It needs space to be with God.