For sale: soul. A recent eBay listing by a Texas woman offering her soul for sale on eBay has raised lots of conversation and questions. The woman is actually a friend of mine who was doing some character research for movie script that she was writing about a woman who sold her soul on in order to earn money to escape a miserable life. This research has created quite a stir in my friend’s life, and the reaction has ranged from empathetic support to disgust and rage at the fact that someone would take something like that so lightly.
The first thing that I want to point out is that my friend is a Christian. She believes in Jesus Christ as her personal savior, and her movie script had a redemptive theme in it as the heroine overcame the struggles in her life. I am actually bothered quite a bit by the fact that some Christians have actually responded to her in anger, rather than reaching out in love. But our conversations have revealed that there is quite a bit of confusion over what exaclty one’s “soul” is, and whether it can actually be “sold” or not.
Here’s my take on the matter, but I would love to hear what you think…
I believe that there are three aspects to our being: body, soul, and spirit.
The body is the purely physical aspect of our existence. It is literally our flesh and bones. When it comes to “selling” ourselves, it is easy to understand how some have sold their bodies in various ways.
Then there is our spirit. This is the purely spiritual aspect of our existence. When we die in the flesh, it is our spirits that go to be with the Lord. Just as there is nothing spiritual about the body, there is also nothing physical about the spirit. The spirit will live forever in heaven or in hell.
Then there is this space called the soul. The soul is made up by our mind, will, and emotions. This aspect of our existence is not really physical, nor is it really spiritual. When you refer to the “soul” of someone, you are usually referring to their character or essence. Our soul is manifested in our thoughts and feelings. It is the definition of who we are. When it comes to selling your “soul,” it is ultimately giving up your right to think, feel, or make decisions for yourself.
This raises some serious questions. Most importantly, if someone sells their soul, can they still be saved and go to heaven. In my opinion, I think that this would be absolutely possible. But let me say that with a bit of a qualifier…
Selling your soul, does not mean that you are selling your spirit. I believe that even if you sold your soul, a saved spirit can still go to heaven. However, I also believe that just as someone who has sold their body can be forgiven and go to heaven, I also beleive that there is still judgement for being so careless with giving someone else the rights to control your mind, will, and emotions.
It also raises the question on how someone can sell their soul. I believe that many people sell their souls bit by bit without even knowing it. I don’t think that there has to be some official transaction, with a deposit into your paypal account. I think that some people gradually give away rights to thier minds and will every day. I see it regularly at work. In the corporate world, people (sometimes knowlingly) give away bits of who they are in the name of acheivement.
So what does it mean to you to sell your soul? Do you believe that it can be sold little by little unknowingly over time? And regardless of how one does it, does it mean that they cannot get into heaven if they do turn over their rights to someone else?
Please offer your thoughts, I think that this is a valuable and important discussion…
Whether you fancy literary examples (Faust) or musical folklore (Tommy Johnson… no, not Robert), a pact with the devil stems from fiction but you are correct in explaining it has roots in reality.
Christians can slowly – but surely – give away their relationship with Christ and stray spiritually because the battle is not for the mind, but the soul. The devil requires our emotions and will to surrender our faith.
No, that emotional white flag doesn’t fly up because of succubus or incubus. It flies up higher and higher, the farther and farther we walk away from the things of God.
Well done crafting this explanation because although I haven’t seen the ad on eBay (I looked), if she said she was a Christian yet wanted to parson off her soul, I can clearly understand the angst. Questions like “what the eff” would come up. If she didn’t say she was saved, I would typed my best MAPSCO down the Romans Road, that’s for certain.
Again, nicely done, Dude. I’ll be back, and who knows, maybe we can link. I like the way you think.
Peace,
HiScrivener
Whether you fancy literary examples (Faust) or musical folklore (Tommy Johnson… no, not Robert), a pact with the devil stems from fiction but you are correct in explaining it has roots in reality.
Christians can slowly – but surely – give away their relationship with Christ and stray spiritually because the battle is not for the mind, but the soul. The devil requires our emotions and will to surrender our faith.
No, that emotional white flag doesn’t fly up because of succubus or incubus. It flies up higher and higher, the farther and farther we walk away from the things of God.
Well done crafting this explanation because although I haven’t seen the ad on eBay (I looked), if she said she was a Christian yet wanted to parson off her soul, I can clearly understand the angst. Questions like “what the eff” would come up. If she didn’t say she was saved, I would typed my best MAPSCO down the Romans Road, that’s for certain.
Again, nicely done, Dude. I’ll be back, and who knows, maybe we can link. I like the way you think.
Peace,
HiScrivener
Whether you fancy literary examples (Faust) or musical folklore (Tommy Johnson… no, not Robert), a pact with the devil stems from fiction but you are correct in explaining it has roots in reality.
Christians can slowly – but surely – give away their relationship with Christ and stray spiritually because the battle is not for the mind, but the soul. The devil requires our emotions and will to surrender our faith.
No, that emotional white flag doesn’t fly up because of succubus or incubus. It flies up higher and higher, the farther and farther we walk away from the things of God.
Well done crafting this explanation because although I haven’t seen the ad on eBay (I looked), if she said she was a Christian yet wanted to parson off her soul, I can clearly understand the angst. Questions like “what the eff” would come up. If she didn’t say she was saved, I would typed my best MAPSCO down the Romans Road, that’s for certain.
Again, nicely done, Dude. I’ll be back, and who knows, maybe we can link. I like the way you think.
Peace,
HiScrivener
Great points HiScrivener…
I can also understand how some people would react, but am also bothered by how people react without taking the opportunity to understand the entire situation. Too many Christians tend to respond with the knee-jerk reaction. I don’t recall Jesus jumping to any conclusions without fully understanding the situation that He was addressing.
Regarding the selling of one’s soul, you are right, it is not a new concept. I also think that while giving of your rights to your mind and will like that may not necessarily mean that your spirit is condemned to hell, I think that typically some that would do that would probably have little regard for the condition of their eternal spirit as well. You are right, the enemy does not want us to think for ourselves…
I have also just checked out your blog, and will have to spend a little more time over there as well! It look interesting. I am happy to exchange links if you wish!
Dan
Great points HiScrivener…
I can also understand how some people would react, but am also bothered by how people react without taking the opportunity to understand the entire situation. Too many Christians tend to respond with the knee-jerk reaction. I don’t recall Jesus jumping to any conclusions without fully understanding the situation that He was addressing.
Regarding the selling of one’s soul, you are right, it is not a new concept. I also think that while giving of your rights to your mind and will like that may not necessarily mean that your spirit is condemned to hell, I think that typically some that would do that would probably have little regard for the condition of their eternal spirit as well. You are right, the enemy does not want us to think for ourselves…
I have also just checked out your blog, and will have to spend a little more time over there as well! It look interesting. I am happy to exchange links if you wish!
Dan
Great points HiScrivener…
I can also understand how some people would react, but am also bothered by how people react without taking the opportunity to understand the entire situation. Too many Christians tend to respond with the knee-jerk reaction. I don’t recall Jesus jumping to any conclusions without fully understanding the situation that He was addressing.
Regarding the selling of one’s soul, you are right, it is not a new concept. I also think that while giving of your rights to your mind and will like that may not necessarily mean that your spirit is condemned to hell, I think that typically some that would do that would probably have little regard for the condition of their eternal spirit as well. You are right, the enemy does not want us to think for ourselves…
I have also just checked out your blog, and will have to spend a little more time over there as well! It look interesting. I am happy to exchange links if you wish!
Dan
I sold my soul while i was really F-ed up in the head, for something really stupid. Not that there would be any SMART reason to do something like that. I am open to all faiths, and am actually starting to realize who i am spiritually. I truly fear that this will effect my spiritual growth. It is on my mind a lot. Is something like this really binding? Know any good prayers to relinquish my fears, or possibly, to save my soul. I really do feel quite lost on the subject. Please help!!!!!
I appreciate the openness on this subject of selling your soul. And my first response is that there is NOTHING that is beyond God's forgiveness if you are willing to accept it!
I do believe that you can be released from fear, and have peace in this situation, and there is some stuff that I believe would be important to pray. Ultimately it will be related to recognizing that Jesus is the way to that forgiveness (and release from that 'deal').
I will follow-up with you via email so that we can talk more about what you are thinking, and whether or not you feel that this is the right direction for you in your search for peace.
Thanks again for reaching out! That is awesome dude!
Thank you for your amazing words. I had a fear that was going to sell my soul because It just kept poping up in the back of my head. I feel that its still there but after reading this I have calmed down.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a serious issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, there’s nothing that’s beyond God’s reach other than turning from the Truth that you know about Him (blasphemy of the Holy Spirit).
I’m glad that you found peace in this post, and I’m happy to talk more about it if you’d like. Thanks!
I sold my soul while i was really F-ed up in the head, for something really stupid. Not that there would be any SMART reason to do something like that. I am open to all faiths, and am actually starting to realize who i am spiritually. I truly fear that this will effect my spiritual growth. It is on my mind a lot. Is something like this really binding? Know any good prayers to relinquish my fears, or possibly, to save my soul. I really do feel quite lost on the subject. Please help!!!!!
I appreciate the openness on this subject of selling your soul. And my first response is that there is NOTHING that is beyond God's forgiveness if you are willing to accept it!
I do believe that you can be released from fear, and have peace in this situation, and there is some stuff that I believe would be important to pray. Ultimately it will be related to recognizing that Jesus is the way to that forgiveness (and release from that 'deal').
I will follow-up with you via email so that we can talk more about what you are thinking, and whether or not you feel that this is the right direction for you in your search for peace.
Thanks again for reaching out! That is awesome dude!
hmm it sounds like a good book!
I sold my soul one time to a woman in Wisconsin ( my home state )… Anyhow, it wasn’t because I wanted to but because I was homeless and needed money to at least rent a hotel and buy some clothes and grooming tools to find myself a job.