Exposing the Lie: When the Soul Leads the Show

When deception lifts, the path of the Spirit becomes clear.

Based on Chapter 6 of What is Man? by T. Austin-Sparks

T. Austin-Sparks opens Chapter 6 with a penetrating examination of deception as the prevailing condition of fallen humanity. He outlines that from Eden onward, man has lived under a lie—not merely having believed one, but having been constitutionally reoriented to operate from the soul rather than the spirit. This soul-life, disconnected from God, becomes the very ground by which Satan perpetuates his work of deception.

Rather than being liberated by education, culture, or moral progress, mankind often becomes more deeply entrenched in delusion. Whether reasoning, emoting, or willing from the self-life, the soul becomes the perfect host for counterfeit religion, guidance, revelation, and spiritual experiences. T. Austin-Sparks insists that the only way out of this labyrinth is through the light of Christ shining into the spirit, revealing God's truth and displacing all falsehood.

Thus, Sparks invites us to ask: are we living by the soul or by the spirit? Are we being governed by reason, emotion, or sheer will—or are we yielded to the indwelling Spirit of God? The Cross is not just the answer to our sins, but to our very selves. Only by union with Christ in His death and resurrection can we be freed from the dominance of the deceived and deceiving soul.

Personal Journal Entry (Holy Spirit's Voice Through Scripture):

You were born into a world under a veil, but I removed it when I shone the light of the knowledge of My glory into your heart. I have set you apart from the dominion of darkness and transferred you into the kingdom of My Beloved Son. The god of this world blinded your mind once, but now you see. Your spirit is alive because of righteousness, and My Spirit testifies with yours that you are My child.

But I call you to walk by the Spirit and not according to the soul—not by what you think, feel, or will on your own. The soul wants control, but its reasoning is limited, its emotions deceptive, and its strength unstable. You have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in Me. I have given you the mind of Christ. You no longer need to lean on your own understanding. As you acknowledge Me in all your ways, I will direct your path.

I have given you discernment that does not come from man. It is spiritual understanding, birthed in the new creation within you. You sense what is of Me even when the path is not obvious, and you rest in My guidance even when emotions try to sway you. The wisdom I give is pure, peaceable, full of mercy, and without hypocrisy. Stay submitted. Stay hidden. Stay surrendered. My grace governs the spirit, not the soul. Let Christ live through you.

(2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Colossians 1:13; Romans 8:10, 14-16; Galatians 5:16; Colossians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Proverbs 3:5-6; Colossians 1:9; James 3:17)

A Real-Life Example to Clarify the Message: You’ve probably had this moment: you receive an urgent email that seems to criticize your work. Immediately, your thoughts swirl: "Did I mess up? Should I defend myself? Am I respected?" Emotions rise—frustration, embarrassment, fear. Your mind constructs a narrative, and your will begins drafting a response to set the record straight. But if you pause... if you breathe... and ask the Spirit what is true, a different response may rise: a peaceful restraint, a willingness to wait, a view that sees the sender with compassion. That's the difference between living from the soul and walking by the Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, I rejoice that You have exposed the deception and drawn me into Your light. I don’t have to live by the unrest of my soul anymore. I don’t have to rely on my reasoning, be governed by shifting emotions, or push through life with sheer force of will. Thank You that I have Your mind, Your Spirit, and Your discernment within. I trust You to live through me moment by moment, so that I don’t fall prey to soul-led deception again. Keep me centered in Christ, where all truth dwells.

Credit: Devotional content based on What is Man? by T. Austin-Sparks. Photo credit: Unsplash.com