There is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding, as Elihu declares in Job 32:8. This human spirit, endowed by God, elevates man above animals, granting intelligence, emotion, speech, skills, and abilities akin to but lesser than God's own. It enables humans to operate with free moral agency, choosing their behaviors. However, this spirit lacks an inherent moral compass, remaining essentially neutral, though often pulled downward by the desires of the flesh. Without guidance, a person can become either a saint or a sinner, depending on upbringing, but left alone, he may bring shame, as warned in Proverbs 29:15. This human spirit, distinct from God's Spirit as explained in I Corinthians 2:11-13, understands only what the human mind can discern. It can, under the influence of the spirit of this world, mimic the wisdom that comes solely from God's Spirit, leading to works that appear right but are still guided by natural spirituality. Even unconverted individuals may follow parts of God's law, reasoning out a partially correct moral sense through the spirit God breathed into Adam, as noted in Romans 2:14-15. Yet, this moral sense is often mixed, partly right and partly wrong, and fundamentally at odds with God. The human spirit, remarkable in its capacity, can independently reason out elements of God's truth and act upon them to varying degrees. However, this does not signify conversion, which requires the indwelling of God's Spirit, given only to those called by Him. The natural man, guided by his inherent spirituality, remains a law to himself, occasionally performing good works that align with God's will, as even evil men can give good gifts, according to Matthew 7:11.

The concept of the spirit in man is a profound and essential element in understanding our connection to God. This spirit is an immaterial quality that empowers, not a material organ, but a vital force that imparts the power of intellect and the ability to think. It enables humans to utilize the material tools God has created, allowing us to operate as beings with the potential to become like Him. The spirit in man facilitates communication within the brain and between the brain and other bodily tools, thus enabling thought and the use of these tools. This God-given spirit makes man human and sets us apart from animals, providing self-awareness to a far greater extent and the potential to be aware of the greatness of our Creator and to worship Him. Animals, despite having similar material tools like a brain, lack this immaterial power and are nowhere near the intellectual level of humans. The spirit imparts the ability to think spatially, to have foresight, to remember, to use language, to experience emotion, to build, to sing, to experience joy, and to plan. It enables man to invent and overcome the natural superiorities of animals, thus reigning over other creatures. This invisible and immaterial power is a gift that we use every day, often without realizing it, in thinking, dreaming, planning, and remembering. It is this spirit that allows man to be in the image of God to some degree, even intellectually, before conversion, enabling thoughts about God and even God-like thoughts. As an invisible force, the spirit's manifestations can be seen in actions and effects, though the spirit itself remains unseen, motivating us to do or not to do, shaping our lives in alignment with or against the divine purpose.

The concept of the spirit in man is central to understanding the broader framework of spiritual influences. Each person possesses a spirit, as described in I Corinthians 2:11, which states that only the spirit of a man knows the things of a man. This echoes Job 32:8, affirming there is a spirit in man, linked to the breath of the Almighty that grants understanding. In this context, spirit is synonymous with heart or mind, representing the intelligent, non-physical aspect of a person that enables thought, reasoning, and comprehension. This spirit in man serves as the source and overseer of an individual's thoughts, not as a separate being but as the center of reason within the person. The spirit in man interacts with external spiritual forces, notably the spirit of the world, which influences mankind's attitudes and actions against God's will. This worldly spirit stirs up the spirit in man, inducing individuals to think, feel, and ultimately act in ways aligned with the world's anti-God inclination. While spirit itself is invisible, akin to wind or breath, its effects are evident in the actions and attitudes of mankind, revealing the active presence of spiritual influences. In contrast, those who receive God's Spirit gain an additional motivating principle that enhances the spirit in man, providing spiritual understanding and aligning thoughts with the mind of Christ. This received Spirit, distinct from the inherent spirit in man, enables a person to know the things of God, countering the spirit of the world and fostering a disposition toward holiness and sound-mindedness. Thus, the spirit in man becomes a battleground for these opposing forces, shaping one's conduct and relationship with the Creator.

The spirit in man plays a vital role in transforming breath, akin to wind, into meaningful speech. This spirit shapes and controls breath, harnessing and disciplining it to produce words, which are more than mere sounds but carry intent and meaning. The nature of these words reflects the disposition of the spirit in man that forms them, whether they be hateful, comforting, or anything in between. As a child learns to speak, the spirit in man develops the ability to translate thoughts into words, facilitating communication with others. Thoughts, originating deep within, are essentially worthless until manifested as words by the spirit in man, allowing for manipulation, refinement, and communication of those thoughts. Furthermore, the spirit in man, by disciplining breath into words, contributes to creating a social and attitudinal environment. Words, shaped by the spirit, can influence attitudes, either encouraging or discouraging, raising or sapping spirits, and can transform a wholesome environment into a negative one or vice versa. On a larger scale, words driven by the spirit in man can determine the character of a whole nation, inspiring hope or despair, reflecting the intent of the spirit that gives them voice.

Mankind is surrounded by truth about God, yet there is a powerful impulse to reject it, often successfully. Within man, there is a knowledge of being made in the image of God, and a basic understanding of His law, enough to keep it better than most do, even without conversion. However, this knowledge is frequently suppressed due to a lack of inclination to accept and apply it in life. Spirit, as an invisible, immaterial, internal dimension, activates and motivates actions and attitudes in both God and man. In man, this spirit imparts understanding of the physical and material world, though it often falls short in spiritual matters due to deception. Man's spirit can be influenced by external forces, lacking defense against spirits other than God's, which contributes to widespread rejection of truth. The spirit in man can be swayed by the unseen rulers and powers of this world, leading to sin and death. It is described as walking according to the course of this world and submitting to the principalities operating in the unseen realm. This spiritual dimension, influenced by the environment and cultural forces, often aligns with destructive tendencies rather than God's way. God's Spirit, however, interfaces with man's spirit, enabling revelation, illumination, and inspiration. This compatibility allows for a transformative process, replacing the destructive spirit with one that is positive and aligned with God's purpose. God's Spirit, being holy, pure, and infinitely knowledgeable, contrasts sharply with man's spirit, offering the power to make right choices and achieve true success. Ultimately, the spirit in man, while capable of understanding and choice, is often held in bondage by a mood or inclination to fail. Only through the intervention of God's Spirit can this be overcome, providing the essential motivation to align with His will and purpose.

The concept of the spirit in man is central to understanding our relationship with God. Man is material, yet he possesses a spirit, an invisible, immaterial element of his mind, much like the Spirit of God is an invisible, immaterial element of God's mind. There is no fundamental difference between the spirit in man and the Spirit of God in essence, as both are spirit and capable of joining together. When God breathed the breath of life into Adam, He imparted a spirit that enables the Spirit of God to unite with the spirit of man, allowing for a spiritual begettal. The distinction lies in purity; God's Spirit is holy, set apart, transcendently pure, and different from the spirit in man, which is tainted by sin. Despite this, procreation can occur spiritually when the two spirits join, happening invisibly within the mind as a union of two minds. This joining reflects a God-like power within man, residing in the essence of his mind connected to the brain. God's Holy Spirit, emanating from His mind, always produces life—eternal life—while man's spirit, influenced by sin, produces death. The Father Himself directly interfaces with the spirit in man, transferring the essence of His mind, thoughts, attitudes, and character into ours. This process is not mysterious but occurs through belief, submission, prayer, Bible study, and meditation, allowing us to choose life and strengthen our unity with Him. God stirs the spirit in man, exciting our minds to grasp truths we could not understand without His direct and personal influence. Unlike Satan's general broadcast of influence, God's approach is specific and intentional, targeting individuals He has chosen to shape spiritually for His Kingdom. Thus, the spirit in man becomes the conduit through which God's mind connects with ours, facilitating a profound and personal transformation.

The concept of the spirit in man reveals an invisible, immaterial, and internal activating dimension of the mind that impels, motivates, and manifests in attitudes and conduct. This spirit can be masked or resisted, but when unleashed, it externally displays its influence. The power of one being's spirit, whether from God or another source, can affect another's, almost like a contagious disease, transferring energy and enthusiasm or even debilitating fear and panic, as seen in warfare where a broken spirit can shatter an army's morale. This internal spirit in man can be influenced by external forces, becoming infected with a destructive essence that motivates disobedience and rebellion against God. This foul spirit, sourced in the adversary, hinders mankind from hearing God's truth, manifesting through hard-headedness and rejection of divine instruction. It marks individuals as children of a spiritual father opposed to God, evident when they fail to accept God's Word, showing they are not predisposed to truth. However, those who are of God, possessing His Spirit, are predisposed to recognize and follow truth, motivated by its impelling power to align their lives accordingly. This Spirit of God, infinitely greater and holy, equips man with wisdom, knowledge, and moral character, providing the foundation to know God, understand His purpose, and build a personal relationship with Him. God's Spirit reveals Him to man, drawing individuals to Him, ensuring none are lost whom He calls, even if they are scattered for a time to learn loyalty and trust. God interfaces with man's spirit, stirring it to action without removing free moral agency, as seen in historical instances where leaders were moved to fulfill divine purposes unknowingly. This interaction can incline the mind to willingness, motivating choices to contribute to God's work, as with the building of the tabernacle. In biblical usage, spirit is linked with heart and mind, representing the seat of intellect, emotion, and spiritual life, an internal force that energizes and drives human activity and conduct.

The Bible reveals that the Spirit of God influences and guides those who yield to it, drawing them away from the corrupting passions and vanities of this world. This divine influence fosters a desire to follow the path of holiness and life, encouraging believers to mortify pride, subdue passion, destroy lust, stifle talebearing, humble ambition, and annihilate the love of worldly wealth and fashions. To be led by the Spirit means to choose voluntarily and consciously to submit to the Word of God, allowing His unseen hand to guide and shape one's life. Without God's Spirit, individuals are limited to producing only what the spirit in man, coupled with the influences of satan, can achieve. While capable of creating remarkable material things, the spiritual and moral fruits are overwhelmingly negative. However, with access to the Spirit of God, believers are empowered to produce the life that God Himself lives—eternal life. This transformation enables the production of spiritual fruit that reflects God's virtues, contrasting sharply with the vices stemming from human nature alone.

The concept of the Spirit in Man, as it relates to the broader plan of salvation, underscores the essential role of God's Holy Spirit in human life. Human beings, by nature, possess a human spirit, but it is the addition of God's Holy Spirit that enables a deeper connection and understanding of divine truths. This second spirit, combined with the human spirit, bears witness that we are children of God, proving that without it, individuals cannot grasp the profound truths necessary for salvation. It is through this divine influence that members of God's church are taught and enlightened, distinguishing them from the darkness of the world. The Holy Spirit serves as the agent of regeneration, imparting God-life and making us heirs to His inheritance, though not yet inheritors. It instills a spirit of adoption, fostering an affectionate regard for God as Father, rather than a servile fear, and it renews our minds to produce the fruits of love, joy, peace, and other virtues as evidence of its presence. Furthermore, it imparts spiritual understanding, granting the physical brain the capacity to comprehend spiritual knowledge and grow in the acknowledgment of God, encouraging a continuous pursuit of deeper divine insight. Beyond understanding, the Holy Spirit infuses divine love within us, abundantly poured out to strengthen us in trials and to manifest in love toward others, completing the expression of love toward God. It also endows us with the faith of Christ, a living faith that energizes our expectation of salvation and demonstrates itself through kindness and compassion. Additionally, it provides spiritual power to overcome a self-centered way of life, enabling us to resist temptations and triumph over the influences of satan and the world through the strength of God dwelling in us. Finally, the Holy Spirit is the power by which we develop holy, righteous character, fulfilling God's purpose for humanity to reproduce His nature. It kindles zeal and courage within us, casting out fear and fostering a sound, balanced mind to meet trials with confidence. This transformative power, freely offered through the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden but rejected by Adam, remains essential for understanding God's way and plan of salvation, available only to those whom God calls and imbues with His Spirit, preparing them for a glorious future in His eternal Kingdom.