Spirit
There are two aspects to the life of each person. We might call them "heart" and "mind," a part of us that wants and feels and a part of us that thinks and knows. The Writings usually refer to these as the "will" and the "understanding." They are reflections, and receptacles, of the Lord's infinite love and infinite wisdom. Of the two, the heart or will is ultimately the most important. Who we actually are is determined by what we love, and the things in our heart ultimately determine our place in heaven (or hell). But the will is beyond our control; we can't force ourselves to want something good or to not want something bad; we can control our actions, but not our feelings. Because of this power, the Lord works subtly and carefully in our hearts, in ways we can't sense. Most of the work and interaction goes on in our minds through the working of what the Writings call "Divine Truth," which is essentially the Lord's entire essence expressed in a form that is compatible with our minds. When the Bible talks about the Lord's "spirit," it represents this operation of Divine Truth in our minds, the way he reaches out and embraces us, and invites us to embrace him back. And when the Bible talks about people having "spirit," it is talking about our minds when we embrace Divine Truth.
Psalms 17
1
Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.
2
Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
3
You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
4
As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
5
My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
6
I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
7
Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
8
Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9
from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
10
They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
11
They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
12
He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13
Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
14
from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.
15
As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form. For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of Yahweh, who spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said,
