Did you ever wonder about the vast difference between human mind and animal brain? The physical brain of the higher vertebrates in the animal kingdom is essentially the same in physical form, design, constituency, as human brain. The brains of whales, elephants, dolphins are larger–and chimp almost as large. Yet the output of the human brain is indescribably greater.
Many passages of Scripture show that there is a spirit in man (e.g., I Cor. 2:11). Spirit is not matter, and man is matter. To distinguish it from God’s Holy Spirit. For simplicity, we can call it the “human” spirit,” which imparts the power of intellect to the human physical brain. The spirit cannot see, hear, taste, smell or feel. The brain sees through the eye, hears through the ear, etc. The “human” spirit cannot of itself think. The physical brain thinks.
What, then, is the function of this “human” spirit? It is NOT a “soul.” But, 1) it imparts the power of intellect–of thinking, and of MIND power, to the human brain; and 2) it is the very means God has instilled, making possible a personal relationship between human MAN and divine GOD.
Many speak loftily of human worth as of supreme value in itself. They speak of the “god” within you–of tapping the innate hidden resources within yourself. They teach SELF-reliance, self-glorification. But in fact, they are smugly ignorant and unaware of the true values and the incredible but real human potential. Human life is at once of infinitesimally less value than they suppose, and at the same time of supremely greater potential than they know. (more…)
The Apple Of God's Eye 