Souls, spirits, and animals

[extravagantchristian]

I was wondering, what is the difference between our soul and spirit? Some people say that our heart is the same as our soul, but is that true?

Job 7:11
“ Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Isaiah 57:16
For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made.

Psalm 77:6
I call to remembrance my song in the night;I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search.

Proverbs 20:27
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

Does this verse mean that our heart, soul and mind are the same or 3 different things?...

Mark 12:30
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

Since we are born spiritually when we are "born again", does that mean that our spirit isn't alive until we are born again? There are verses in the OT, where people refered to their spirit, so I don't know.

The Bible also says:

Matthew 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

So, does this mean that people's souls go to hell, but their spirit does not? And if souls are eternal, and animals have souls, like most people say, then why wouldn't they live forever? Because basically, God has created 3 different beings. The angels, the humans, and the animals. Angels live forever and so do humans so does the bible really say that animals do not? I don't recall ever reading that.

Luke 12:5
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

[Jericho]

As far as I'm aware, the bible doesn't have anything to say about what happens to animals when they die. I'm inclined to believe when they die that's it for them. However, since God can do anything, what if in Heaven we were to ask him to bring back all the pets we lost in this world? I'd like to hope that he would.

[Keeping Alert]

Hi extravagantchristian,

A very difficult question to answer since there are no direct answers from the bible. In fact, this question has larger ramifications including the doctrine of annihilism (i.e. the human soul dies and that's it)

The only difference we note that is recorded in the bible is that humans are created in the image of God while animals are not. This seem to denote an "inferior" quality of the soul compared to the human.

The other thought to think about is that even though the serpent in the Garden of Eden was cursed, there was no mention of sin having an eternal judgement effect as it did on Adam and Eve, causing most to believe that when it dies that is it.

And to think of it, if the soul of the pet is considered, why not the non-pets, and how about worms and ants, and such - will these be present in heaven? I don't know; I think not but perhaps they will... if they are then I sure hope that God will have a way of keeping the mosquito from buzzing around my ear in heaven

Blessings,
KA

[extravagantchristian]

Definatly don't want spiders in heaven, I don't care how nice they are.

I don't know, it just doesn't seem fair that living animals with a soul get treated like garbage and killed, it seems like God would make that right somehow, because they have feelings and personalities too, just like us.

[mark s]

When I think about creatures like cats, and dolphins, and animals with obviously high intelligence, emotions, empathy, it really makes me wonder! The Bible doesn't say, so I won't be surprised either way. Perhaps God will resurrect my wife's beloved cats, or perhaps they are as the most beautiful and splendid flower, here to enjoy, then gone.

Love in Christ,
Mark

[smackbucket]

When I think about creatures like cats, and dolphins, and animals with obviously high intelligence, emotions, empathy, it really makes me wonder! The Bible doesn't say, so I won't be surprised either way. Perhaps God will resurrect my wife's beloved cats, or perhaps they are as the most beautiful and splendid flower, here to enjoy, then gone.

Love in Christ,
Mark

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

If dogs don't get in, I KNOW cat's don't.

[extravagantchristian]

um no, cats are clean they wash their fur everyday

[smackbucket]

um no, cats are clean they wash their fur everyday

With spit.

[burien1]

um no, cats are clean they wash their fur everyday

With spit.

I love my cats.

[Keeping Alert]

Hey, I found at least one animal that seem to be able to be found in heaven!

Horses!

Rev 19:14 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.

An alleogory or literal? I love horses.

[keithareilly]

Ecclesiastes 3:18-22

18 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath [b] ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal [c] goes down into the earth?"

22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?


Draw your own conclusions...

Keith

[SueAnn]

um no, cats are clean they wash their fur everyday

With spit.

Where there's a good point.

[FreeInHim]

Many years ago I used to read every near death experience book I could get my hands on. I recall one man's account that when he got to the other side he was greeted by every dog he'd ever owned; they all came running up to him together, overjoyed at the sight of him. Of course, I put little stock in any of those stories now, but it was one of the nicest reports I read and it stuck with me.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:2

Perhaps there are also many dog houses. (Cat houses too).

[water]

There are many other animals in heaven too...remember the more odd ones in Ezekiel...the thing that had wings and eyes and all sorts of heads. Well, I should not say many other animals, I know of horses and the winged eyed thing, but it seems there was another I cant think of.

Anyhow, God created everything for his pleasure, I bet there are animals in the final picture. Whether they have eternal spirits or not...dont know of any Biblical reference.

[dolfseal]

Man is made up of three parts; The body (bag of bones), the soul (its eternal), and a spirit. The soul is a reflection of the heart. God searches out the heart, its an indication of ones love for God. The soul cannot be killed, it can only be lead to heaven or hell. The body is open for a spirit to join it. The soul is meant to join up with a spirit (marriage), proverbs goes into this. If you don't accept the Holy Spirit, you leave yourself open to an evil spirit. There is a part in the Bible that mentions if you get rid of an evil spirit he will return with several friends. The only way to keep the evil spirit away is to have the Holy Spirit. The spirit feeds the soul wisdom. There are two types of wisdom as described in Gen, the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If you don't have the Holy Spirit, you cannot be fed good wisdom.
The questions now become do animals get a spirit, more importantly, do animals receive a portion of the Holy Spirit. I have a hard time believing this to be the case, but the truth is, we are not told animals fate.

[good4u]

I look at it this way...in eternity future God will dwell with redeemed men here on a newly created earth. I think God will recreate whatever He pleases to create the kind of eternal pleasure and fulfillment that would be necessary for mankind and womankind. It is just His nature. And I can't wait for that oh so glorious day!

[laney]

I love and respect all animals but God gave me a special love for cats that cannot be explained. I just lost one of my three babies, (cat) this week. God knows the love in our hearts that we have toward animals. He knew how special they would be to us humans and he created them just for us to love and take care of them. There is no way I can believe that the Lord would give us such beautiful and precious creatures that become part of our family and not care about our feelings for them once they pass away. I think there will be many joyous and surprising things awaiting us in heaven. The Lord knows if we could choose whether we could have a mansion or our pets in heaven that most of us would choose our pets. I have enough faith that I believe the Lord's love reaches far beyond what we know. I believe I will see my cat and other animals that have passed on before me. I think thats just one of the secrets that He has instore for us. Just my opinion but I think its a good one.

[TexasBeliever]

I know one thing, the last dog I had loved me with every fiber of her being, and more than some people are ever capable of.

She layed beside me when I was sick and stayed near when I was upset or sad. I have to wonder if God didn't purposly create dogs to be companions for us. Even people don't know how to love unconditionally most of the time.

[extravagantchristian]

We have a cat now that whenever my daughter is upset and crying he will go lay by her. God has blessed them with a certain amount of intelligence, emotions, and reasoning. They share a lot of our same social abilities. There is a light on in there... just because they can't talk doesn't mean they don't think. Sometimes I wonder if some animals are angels in disguise. Who knows. But it would be a shame if they didn't get to live on past this life

[Mrs. B]

Sours, spirits, and animals......


God loves animals also...
Around His throne are four beast......one with the face of a calf, one a lion, one a man, and one an eagle...
to me this represents His Creation......man and all animal life
this was God Creation......

Now.....a man Is a body, a soul, and a Spirit....

we were created in the image of God.....
We live in a body, we have a soul.....and we are a Spirit

but animals have a body and a soul.....
it does not say they are Spirit....
Only Man was created in the image of God......God is a SPIRIT and God created man with a spirit.
but when Adam sin....the spirit of eternal life left him and he died....So God sent Jesus........the Promise of the Father
and Jesus bought us back from the dead....and God Sent Back the Holy Spirit that comes into our bodies and Makers
us alive Again......Born Again.....to live forever with Him.....

the bible says, flesh and blood does not inherit the kingdom of God......
that is why we are born again.....born of God....born of the Holy Spirit...

I love animals......we have 7 dogs.....Chiwahuhus...(spelling?)
two cats.....5 chickens....two bannies rooster and hen....one Deer and fawn, and 50 white pegions, and a squirrell, who lives in a cage in our house....
they all love us unconditioelly.......my husband and I
Some times I say we are like Adam and Eve.....we live in a Garden with all our animals.....
Animals were Gods Plan....and I believe in the New Heaven and the New Earth we will have animalls

animals do not have a Spirit like man.......but I do believe that God loves animals......and I would like to say we will see our animal friends some day again.....


Mrs. B

[laney]

We have a cat now that whenever my daughter is upset and crying he will go lay by her. God has blessed them with a certain amount of intelligence, emotions, and reasoning. They share a lot of our same social abilities. There is a light on in there... just because they can't talk doesn't mean they don't think. Sometimes I wonder if some animals are angels in disguise. Who knows. But it would be a shame if they didn't get to live on past this life

extravagantchristian, I have always felt like animals are angels too. I don't know the scripture but the bible says something to the fact that we entertain angels unaware. I strongly believe that this could be speaking of animals.

[laney]

I love animals......we have 7 dogs.....Chiwahuhus...(spelling?)
two cats.....5 chickens....two bannies rooster and hen....one Deer and fawn, and 50 white pegions, and a squirrell, who lives in a cage in our house....
they all love us unconditioelly.......my husband and I
Some times I say we are like Adam and Eve.....we live in a Garden with all our animals.....
Animals were Gods Plan....and I believe in the New Heaven and the New Earth we will have animalls

Mrs. B, I think its wonderful that you take care of so many of God's creatures. God bless you for doing that.

[laney]

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

If dogs don't get in, I KNOW cat's don't.

Smackbucket, surely you don't believe that dogs are to be taken litterally here.