THE BATTLE FOR THE SOUL

The battle for the soul is usually a fight between our ego and our soul. Our ego is our sense of our own worth. For example, if we have a large ego, we might over-think how important and valuable we are. With a massive ego, we would never admit we were wrong.
The soul is our sense of the life of God lived out by the power of the Holy Spirit in our ‘inner person.’

‘The term ego is used to refer to a person’s sense of ‘self’. It encompasses their thoughts and feelings, including their self-esteem and sense of self-importance. We all have an ego. A healthy ego is a good thing because it boosts our self-confidence, pushing us to confront or overcome our fears.’ (Dictionary) The soul in Strong’s Word Studies: “1. Is the seat of feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart), 2. The (human) soul in so far as it is constituted that by the right use of the aids offered it by God it can attain its highest end and secure eternal blessedness, the soul regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life.”

The ego battles to be the soul and can never do so because the ego is self developed and the soul is Spirit developed. Jesus said, “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. (Luke 17:33) The word used for ‘life’ in this verse is ‘soul’ in the original. That should help us in the ego battle… “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13)
“Whatever it is that is so precious about our identity is the stuff of self-offering. The ego cannot enter the Kingdom of God,” wrote Stephen Freeman, Orthodox minister.
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus