Identity and the Power of God’s Word

It’s staggering how many people walk through life without knowing who they were meant to be. For many, life can feel aimless and joyless, like a puzzle with too many pieces missing. Often, the root of this struggle is that they don’t know, or haven’t embraced, the truth of who they are in God’s eyes. James 1:23–24 (NLT) says, “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” God’s Word is meant to reveal our true identity, but when we glance at it and forget it—when we don’t let it change us—we miss the life-changing truth of who we are in Christ. This is where healing and renewal become critical. Because until we know who we are, we can’t fully embrace the new life Jesus offers.

The Three-Part Being (Spirit, Soul, and Body)

God created us in His image as three-part beings: spirit, soul, and body. Our spirit is the part of us that was made new when we gave our lives to Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, our human spirit is recreated—flawless, pure, and connected to the very heart of God. There’s nothing more profound than this gift: the right and privilege to become sons and daughters of the Most High.

But what about our soul? The soul—the seat of our mind, emotions, and will—has not yet been made new. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NLT) says, “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” While our spirit is fully renewed, our soul is still in need of continual transformation. This is where we wrestle with fear, doubt, unforgiveness, and past hurts. When we are born again, our souls remain under the ongoing work of our Lord and Savior, requiring us to invite Him in so that He can help us walk in continuous healing and renewal.

Surrendering the Soul (The Need for Transformation)

Surrendering our souls to God is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process. Most of us don’t hand over control in one dramatic moment; instead, we do it little by little, piece by piece. To truly surrender our souls means going deep—facing the darkness that still resides in our hearts and allowing the Holy Spirit to expose the places that need healing.

This is a necessary and often uncomfortable journey. It’s also the reason many of us avoid it. We resist full surrender and choose to stay unaware of the areas still locked in darkness. But even though it’s uncomfortable to look at the places of pain, pride, or shame—this is the very work that leads to freedom.

Healing and Renewal: The Invitation

When we invite the Holy Spirit into those dark spaces, He begins to do a work of transformation we can’t do on our own. Only He can bring true healing. This process of healing and renewal is not quick, but it is beautiful. It is the way we become whole—spirit, soul, and body—living fully alive in Christ. Healing and renewal are not just for the broken moments; they’re for the daily walk with God, as we continually surrender and invite Him into every area of our lives.

Freedom Starts with Truth

Jesus said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32, NLT). Freedom doesn’t come through emotion or opinion—it comes through truth. And if we’ve built parts of our lives on lies, those lies have to be confronted.

Many of us live with beliefs that don’t align with God’s Word. They’re not the truth about ourselves, about Him, or about what’s possible. These are lies that say we’re unworthy, forgotten, or too broken to reflect God’s purpose or carry His presence. And when those lies take root in our souls, they begin to shape our thoughts, our actions, and even our relationships. They might even influence how we pray—asking for what God has already given, or settling for far less than what He’s promised.

But when the truth of God’s Word takes root, everything shifts. We begin to think differently. Speak differently. Expect differently. We move out of survival mode and begin walking in the identity and authority of Christ.

Partnership with the Holy Spirit

This journey to truth isn’t a solo effort—it’s a partnership with the Holy Spirit. He leads us, uncovers hidden places in our hearts, and helps us respond in obedience. True healing begins when we align our lives with God’s truth, letting it renew and reshape us from the inside out. That alignment opens the door to the restoration He desires for our souls.

God’s plan is always progression, never regression. He doesn’t take us back to punish or shame us—He brings us back to heal and strengthen us. Even when He revisits past pain or broken places, it’s always for our growth. His heart is to move us from faith to faith, glory to glory, and blessing to blessing. But that progression depends on whether we’ll trust His truth over our emotions—and let go of the past to step into the future He’s already prepared.

Embracing the Journey

Healing and renewal in our souls don’t happen overnight. It’s a process—and a partnership. As we surrender to God’s truth and allow Him to replace the lies we’ve believed, freedom begins to take root. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

The more we yield, the more we’re transformed into the likeness of Christ. And that’s the goal—not just becoming a better version of ourselves, but living fully alive in Him.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Why Healing and Renewal Are So Important”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.