People are referred to as souls in scripture. The human soul is the part of us that is eternal. The part that lives on after our bodies die. Jesus had a soul because He was fully man and fully human. He said, “My soul is sorrowful, even to death” Mathew 26. The human soul can be lost or saved, strong or weak. The soul is eternal, it will live forever either in Gods presence or not. The choice is yours to accept or reject the love of our Father. 

Here is a list of a few things we can take away from scripture about the nature of our souls. 

1. The soul is immortal

There are two realities in our world, the seen and unseen, or spiritual and material. The body is the seen part of us, whereas the soul is the unseen. “As we look not to the things that are seen but the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” 2 Corinthians 4:18.

2. The soul lives on after death

Once our bodies pass away we will no longer be living in the physical word but of the spiritual word. “We know that if the tent that we live in on earth is torn down, we have a building from God. It’s a house that isn’t handmade, which is eternal and located in heaven” 2 Corinthians 5:1. “So we are always confident, because we know that while we are living in the body, we are away from our home with the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:5. 

3. The soul brings the body to life

The soul can live without the body, but the body cannot live without the soul. You can see the soul through the body. “Then he stretched himself over the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, please give this boy’s life back to him.” The lord listened to Elijah’s voice and gave the boy his life back. And he lived. 1 kings 17:21-22.

4. The soul is judged by God 

Physical death is not the end of us. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26” “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10”

5. The soul experiences suffering and joy

“My soul weeps because of grief, strengthen me according to Your word. Psalms 119:28”

6. The soul finds rest in God 

If you are depressed or anxious seek Jesus for he will give you rest. “Yes, my soul, finds rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62: 5-6”

I have read several opinions on whether the soul goes through stages. Some refer to these five stages as spiritual growth stages, others as stages of the soul. They are typically like the following stages listed below.

Stage 1: The seeker

This stage is for people who have not yet become believers but are seeking answers. These individuals might be questioning the meaning of life, if God is real, or what might happen to them if they died. Someone in this stage still has unbelief and would benefit greatly from a relationship with a maturing believer. “At one time you were like a dead person because of the things you did wrong and your offenses against God. You used to live like people of this world. Ephesians 2:1-2”

Stage 2: The believer 

Once an unbeliever seeks Christ and is born again they become an infant believer. New believers are excited and ready to tell the world about the Good News. However, they tend to be immature, making a lot of mistakes, because they have a lot to learn about the Word and Gods character. “Therefore, get rid of all ill will and all deceit, pretense, envy, and slander. Instead like a newborn baby, desire the pure milk of the word. Nourished by it, you will grow into salvation, since you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3”

Stage 3: The learner

The learner is considered a spiritual child, still immature but growing in faith. Many times they are building relationships with other believers and learning what it means to follow Christ. “Little children, I’m writing to you because yours sins have been forgiven through Jesus’ name. 1 John 2”

Stage 4: The server 

The server would be considered the young adult. At this stage the believer has a good grasp on God’s Word. The server tends to be God-centered and mission minded. “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15″

Stage 5: The leader 

The final stage is the spiritual parent. In this stage the parent teaches and leads other believers through the stages of the soul. Unfortunately, some claim that few reach this stage in spiritual growth. My prayer is that you would be one of the few who do. “This is why I’ve sent Timothy to you; he’s my loved and trusted child in the Lord; he’s remind you about my way of life in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 4:17”