Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Hebrews 13:17 ESV
I spend a lot of time thinking about the local church. The Bible is very clear on how important God thinks it is. It troubles me that so many today don’t see it that way. The number one blessing for me in being a committed part of a local church is having someone I trust who is called by God and accountable to God to watch over my soul. By soul, I mean that part of me that feels and thinks and makes decisions about life. My pastors watch out for my soul by teaching, counsel, and praying. I ask their thoughts when I have tough calls to make.
Just for your info, I found a few things that can cause soul trouble:
- the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (1Peter 2:11 ESV)
- (The people of Sodom) tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— (2 Peter 2:8 NKJV)
- some… have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” (Acts 15:24 NKJV)
- you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:3 NKJV)
If you ever struggle with the passions of the flesh, or feel distraught over the vile world around you, or find yourself feeling condemned by what someone said, or been weary and discouraged in your Christian walk, then you need someone watching for you. A prosperous soul is a priceless gift:
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
(3 John 1:2 NKJV)
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