The Editor’s Note
“These are the times that try men’s souls” – wrote Thomas Paine over 200 years ago, but they also aptly describe our turbulent times. Yet God, the all in all, is the answer. This issue explores the important distinction between soul and spirit—so key to finding the peace Jesus promised in John 14:27.
Our lead article, “God Determines, Not Permits,” reminds us of God’s sovereignty—not just when life seems smooth, but in times of crisis. “That Soul-Spirit Understanding,” Norman shares the difference between soul—the way we express ourselves, and spirit—our inner self, my spirit-union with Christ. He makes the analogy of the sea—the surface, restless disturbing waves of feelings and thoughts—and contrasts them with the stillness of the sea beneath, our spirit center, where God is joined to our human spirit. Norman shows how we can grasp the distinction between soul and spirit and win over soul and body diversions to be “kept in the power of God…having all sufficiency in all things.”
We are including an illustration which has helped many clarify the difference between soul and spirit. It is when we are sorely tempted that we most need this understanding, and Bible Bedrock explains that, seen correctly, temptation becomes our blessing. Our crossword is a biblical reminder of God’s unfailing faithfulness.
“Further Soul-Spirit Clarification” by Page Prewitt answers a reader’s question about whether the teaching in our publication on soul and spirit aligns with Norman’s teachings. In her answer, Page shares her opportunities to learn from Norman himself during personal visits. As she shared with him her own personal desperation looking for answers to life in endless questions, he communicated these precious truths. Page follows up by pointing out highlights of Norman’s teaching on soul and spirit from his books, Yes I Am, and Who Am I?
“Illuminating Body, Soul and Spirit” is part 1 of a transcript of Scott Prewitt’s teaching lesson for youth. In clear, simple question and answer style Scott introduces the concepts of body, soul, and spirit. Scott’s presentation of the body as God’s tabernacle is especially helpful for youth. The question and answer format makes this very enjoyable reading. Part 2 will be continued in the next issue.
Steven Prewitt, in his book review of Norman’s To All Believers…It’s as Simple as This, describes it as “packed with Scriptures…sprinkled with practical, even personal applications.” In the review, Steve shares how God met his needs in a very personal way as he applied these truths to his life during a time of deep spiritual crisis.
“Older women…teach the younger women” features an exchange of letters between a young wife and mother who candidly shares her failures and inability to “fix” her life, writing to a spiritually mature woman who has impacted her life. In her answer, Page identifies with Sally’s situation from earlier in her own life. Then she shares Satan’s lie of independent self—the belief that we are “just us” rather than the truth that we are in a spirit union with Christ as our operator—and that Satan continues to deceive mankind. Page gives practical guidance for Sally’s specific situation: recognize the lies she is believing about herself and her situation and replace them with the truth that “you are perfectly all right because there is another (Christ) who loves your husband and children perfectly and He can and will do that through you as you trust Him to do it.”
That indeed is the truth of truths—there is Another in us as us to live in victory amidst trials. Praise God! I hope this issue of The Intercessor is a blessing to you, as you are to us!
