📖 Biblical Definition
Human spirit in Scripture is the God-breathed animating center of the person, closely related to but distinguishable from the soul. "The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts" (Prov 20:27). Hebrews distinguishes: "piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow" (Heb 4:12). The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom 8:16). At death, "the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Eccl 12:7). Paul prays for the Thessalonians: "may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless" (1 Thess 5:23).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
SPIR'IT, n.
expand to see more
SPIR'IT, n. [L. spiritus, breath.] The immaterial part of man; the seat of thought, feeling, and volition. In Scripture, the human spirit (Heb. ruach, Gr. pneuma) is the God-breathed animating principle, closely related to the soul but sometimes distinguished from it ("dividing soul and spirit"). The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit; at death the spirit returns to God who gave it.
📖 Key Scripture
Proverbs 20:27 — "The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts."
Romans 8:16 — "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."
Ecclesiastes 12:7 — "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
1 Thessalonians 5:23 — "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern materialism denies the human spirit exists. Scripture insists it is the lamp of the LORD inside you.
expand to see more
Secular materialism reduces humans to biology — no spirit, just chemistry. Scripture insists on the immaterial: the human spirit is real, God-breathed, the lamp of the LORD that searches the innermost parts (Prov 20:27). Your spirit is not a metaphor for brain activity. It is the actual center of your being, made by God, indwelt (in believers) by the Holy Spirit, and returning to God at death. Honor your spirit: feed it on the Word, commune with it in prayer, let it be the part that answers to God.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
H7307 — ruach. G4151 — pneuma.
expand to see more
H7307 — ruach (רוּחַ) — spirit, wind, breath.
G4151 — pneuma (πνεῦμα) — spirit, breath, wind.
Usage
"The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD. Your inner life is not private; God searches it with the light of His Spirit."
"Soul, spirit, body — Paul prayed for all three to be kept blameless. Christian anthropology is triune."