Where Does The spirit Go When We Die?

Here are a few scriptures that speak of the spirit departing from the body.

Luke 23:46. ⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.  (When you read this chapter you will notice that GOD did not reject HIS spirit, therefore it must be with HIM)

Acts 7:59-60. ⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Again, GOD received Stephen's spirit before he fell asleep)

Ecclesiastes 12:7. ⁷ Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. (Man is made of dirt and GOD breath life in us.  As the body goes back to dust, the spirit goes back to GOD)


The soul (spirit) seperates from the body . . . but a lost soul (spirit) can return to the body.

1 King 17:21-22. ²¹ And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” ²² Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.

Luke 8:52-55. ⁵² Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” ⁵³ And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” ⁵⁵ Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.

Again, there are several more verses that refer to where the soul (spirit) goes after death (falling asleep).  What I know for sure is our souls (spirits) leave the body when we die and GOD is in control of where our souls rest!  Now that we know that the soul separates from the body when we die, read this passage and tell me where does the spirit go when we die.

Luke 23:39-43. ³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Listen,  This is the more important issue!  GOD can cast out the evil spirits of those who live, and give the Holy Spirit to those who have died to self and live in CHRIST!  

Self Gratification - Is It Wrong?

The question of "self gratification" is something that falls under that self-validating phrase, "If I'm not hurting anyone else it is O.K. for me"  That is not the case at all. Not only does it affect you now, but it can be a downfall to future relationships.  Either in marriage, work, ministry, etc.  Several youth have asked questions in reference to "self gratification" and there have been a few times when I shared the following letter with some adults.  Most have testified that this letter helped them gain an understanding, and a few (adults) have said it helped their relationships. 

IS IT WRONG!

 Dear Friend,

 First, I will ask, “Please read the entire letter.”  Secondly, understand that the definition of the word we are talking about is based on “SELF-GRATIFICATION” and “SINFUL LUST”.  Both take place in the mind long before the action is done!  Don’t allow your mind and thoughts to go where your body is not allowed to follow!  When this act is done outside of marriage, it is called fornication. When this act is done in a marriage, it is called adultery. 

     “Shun fornication, every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself” (1 Cor 6:18).  “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to GOD, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13).  Romans 6:13 speaks of those who have been brought from death to life … those who have been born again (Christians) and accept GOD’s WORD as being true! “It is GOD’s will that you should be sanctified (set apart):  That each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.  Not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know GOD.” (1 Thes 4:3-8).  Do not let the lustful thought take control of your mind, because it will cause you to sin in your heart.  JESUS said, “But I say to you, that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in their heart” (Mat 5:28).  This can be the male or female in a magazine, on TV, on the internet, or sitting in the same room with you.  If you look in lust, then you sin in your heart!

     “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim 2:22).  “So I say, live by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Gal 5:16).  “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery” (Gal 5:19).  The definition of immorality is: “the quality of not being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.” 

So, sexual immorality includes self-gratification and lustful sin, because these are not in accord with GOD’s WORD.  Think about it! You are committing a premeditated sin, because you have to think about doing the act before you actually do it! If you want to stop, then you must “Submit yourselves, then, to GOD.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).  Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you when you feel the sinful desire coming back.  “In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26).  Meditate and think on the good and righteous things.  Purpose in your heart that you will do what GOD requires in reference to sexual purity.

     Just because the actual words “sexual self-gratification” is not mentioned in the Bible, does not mean it’s o.k. to do!  The words “drinking and driving” are not in the Bible, but we know it’s wrong.  We also know that it takes self-control to keep from doing both! 

     Dear GOD, may these words help and encourage to make a change.  Amen!

Forgive & Forget

In the King James (KJV) translation of the bible, the word "Forgive" is used 48 times, the word "Forgave" is used 7 times, and the word "Forgiving" is used 4 times!  Which brings us to a total of 59 times.  There is nothing significant about the number of times it is used, I'm just highligting the point of the bible mentioning and instructing us to forgive others . . . and ourselves.  In Matthew 18:21, Peter ask JESUS how many times is he suppose to forgive his brother who sins against him.  JESUS answers, seventy times seven! Wow! Seventy times seven is 490!  It seems like a lot of forgiving, but it doesn't even compare to how many times we have been forgiven by others and GOD!

So, it can be clearly understood that we should forgive, and the bible tells us that "Love" covers a multitude of sins!  But what about the forget!  We hear it all the time that we should "Forgive and Forget" or "Forgive and move on with your life"  That is easier said then done!  So how do will deal with the "Forgive & Forget"  Does the bible tell us to forget?  It hard enough to forgive, but how do we forget . . . should we forget?

Before The Ink Dries

Although there are a few people who wake up in the morning and realize the results of a drunken fest the night before has left them with a permanent marking of a shameful tattoo . . . most people actually plan their tattoo.  They have a reason and/or purpose behind it!  Maybe it is to honor a love one.  Is there any good reason for marking the body with ink?

The Ring Finger

What is the significance of the wedding ring/band? Is it important to wear? What does the bible say about it?

This is a discussion for the married, engaged, and single person!  How important is the wedding ring/band?  What value is associated, if any, with the wedding ring/band? Are there any scripture about the purpose of the wedding ring/band?  What does the bible say about it? (click on "comments" to post)