Perhaps you have heard the statement, “You are a spirit, and you have a soul that lives in a body.” Is this true, and if  so, then what does it mean? Moreover, Paul the apostle in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 makes an interesting statement about the human makeup that appears to be more pagan Greek than biblical Hebraic in nature.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV, emphasis added)

What is your spirit? How is it different from your soul and your body? Sadly, there is much confusion in mainstream Christianity as to the difference between the soul and the spirit, the latter of which is not the same as the Holy or Set-Apart Spirit of Elohim which is part of the godhead. In fact, quite often, the terms soul and spirit are used interchangeably as if they were the same entity. As we shall see, the Bible does not present such a muddy view as to the nature of the spirit that is in each person. In fact, it has a lot to say about this subject.

Stay tuned. You are about to learn some things about yourself that you probably never knew!

In the quoted Bible verse above, each of the words body, soul and spirit are separated by the conjunction and. This same grammatical construction exists in the biblical Greek as well: “spirit and [Gr. kai] soul and [Gr. kai] body.” This shows Paul’s deliberateness at showing the separateness of these three components of a person’s makeup. In Paul’s mind, the soul and spirit of man were two separate entities. While the ancient Greek philosophers had a clear understanding of this, the Hebraic Bible writers seemed to have often conflated the idea of a person’s soul and spirit; that is to say, they didn’t clearly distinguish between the two. This doesn’t, however, mean that they didn’t understand the uniqueness of man’s spirit, as opposed to his soul, as we will soon see. What are we to make of this?

Thus, according to Paul, man is a tripartite being composed of a body, a soul and a spirit. In biblical Hebraic thought as presented in the Tanakh (Old Testament), the soul and spirit are virtually indistinguishable and the Hebrew words nephesh (soul) and ruach (spirit) are often used interchangeably. Paul, however, in his letter to the saints at Thessalonica, puts a finer  point on the differences between the soul (or the mind, will and emotions of a person, or their unique personality) and their spirit by making a clear delineation between them. Moreover, as we shall learn, the spirit of man (or that divine spark in each person that) which each person receives most likely at conception (Zech 12:1), is subsequently and supernaturally energized by the Spirit of Elohim, when a person comes to faith in Yeshua the Messiah. It is one’s (personal) spirit that connects a person to Elohim, who is a Spirit (John 4:23–24; 1 Cor 2:10–14). Additionally, the separateness of man’s soul and spirit is specifically referred to in Hebrew 4:12 where we read,

For the word of Elohim is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The fact that  Paul mentions the spirit first in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 seems to suggest that YHVH created the spirit of man first, then his soul, and then placed both of them in a physical body.

Bible Scriptures That Speak of the Personal Spirit of Man

While the writers in the Tanakh may have made only an ostensible delineation between the soul and spirit of man, unlike the Greek philosophers or Paul and the writer of Hebrews did, there are several biblical passages in the Tanakh that clearly show that the ancient Hebrews understood that the spirit of man was different than his soul or mind, will and emotions. In fact, Job, the author of perhaps the oldest book in the Bible, as well as Moses, the one who codified the Torah in written form, and Solomon all understood this fact long before the Greek philosophers. Against this biblical contextual backdrop, and from the following Bible verses, we can see that Paul’s statement in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 no longer seems incongruent with the earlier Scriptures. Note the following:

The burden of the word of YHVH concerning Israel: Thus declares YHVH, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him. (Zech 12:1) 

But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. (Job 32:8)

The spirit of man is the lamp of YHVH, searching all his innermost parts. (Prov 20:27)

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to Elohim who gave it. (Eccl 12:7)

And they fell on their faces and said, “O Elohim, the Elohim of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?” (Num 16:22)

The Spirit  bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohim… (Rom 8:16)

But he who is joined to YHVH becomes one spirit with him. (1 Cor 6:17)

Elohim is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)

Now may the Elohim of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. (1 Thess 5:23)

For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of Elohim except the Spirit of Elohim. (1 Cor 2:11)

For the word of Elohim is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. (1 Cor 14:32)

Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? (Heb 12:9)

They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Yeshua, receive my spirit!” (Acts 7:59)

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. (2 Cor 4:6)

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (Jas 2:26)

YHVH be with your spirit. (2 Tim 4:22)

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to Elohim the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. (Heb 12:23)

A Person’s Spirit Is Supercharged at the Time of the Their Spiritual Regeneration

Even though every human is born with a personal spirit that acts as a sort of spiritual compass to guide him in a basic understanding of what is right and wrong, (Rom 2:14–16), the Bible reveals that one’s spirit is activated in a major spiritual way only when they receive the Spirit of Elohim at the time of their initial salvation.

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (Job 32:8)

The spirit of man is the candle of YHVH, searching all the inward parts of the belly. (Prov 20:27)

When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness. (Job 29:3)

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of Elohim. (Rom 8:16)

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. (Eph 3:16)

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.…But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:20, 27)

Hereby know ye the Spirit of Elohim: Every spirit that confesseth that Yeshua the Messiah is come in the flesh is of Elohim: And every spirit that confesseth not that Yeshua the Messiah is come in the flesh is not of Elohim: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:2–3)

But Elohim hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of Elohim. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of Elohim knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Elohim. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of Elohim; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of Elohim. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of Elohim: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor 2:10–14)

The Defilement and Purification of One’s Personal Spirit

In two passages in the Testimony of Yeshua, Paul discusses how one’s inner man or personal spirit must be renewed spiritually.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Cor 4:16)

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind… (Eph 4:23)

What in us has to be renewed regularly or (literally renovated)? It is true that each of us was born in sin or was born sinful (Ps 51:5), and that our soul (i.e., our mind, will and emotions) is the part of us that actually sins (Ezek 18:4). So what has to be renewed or renovated if our soul was sinful from the beginning of our life? 

Evidently YHVH created something sin-free in us that became defiled along the way and needs to be renewed. If it is not our soul, than what is it ? It must be our personal spirit, which is the candle of YHVH (Prov 20:27). Renewed in what? In the knowledge of Elohim due to its being tainted by the soul of man, which has been influenced and corrupted by the world, the flesh and the devil, and which needs to be made perfect, completed, finished or brought to the end goal of perfection. 

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living Elohim, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to Elohim the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect [Gr. made complete], to Yeshua the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (Heb 12:22–24, emphasis added)

The tainting of man’s personal spirit is indicated in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, where we read,

Now may the Elohim of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. (emphasis added)

 Man’s spirit must be “preserved blameless.” Preserved  is the Greek word tereo meaning “to guard, to keep, one in the state in which he is, to observe, to reserve or to undergo something.” This means that one’s personal spirit can be tainted, defiled or dirtied. Moreover, Job 7:11 not only differentiates between the spirit and the soul, butspeaks about the “anguish [or distress, narrowness, tightness] of my spirit” and “the bitterness of my soul.” 

Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Obviously, man’s personal spirit can be distressed, wounded, hurt, oppressed or constrained by the negative influences and the trials of life. Here Job tells us that we can have negative emotions in both our soul and our spirit. It is highly likely that anguish in our spirit could degenerate into bitterness in the soul. This suggests that both our soul and our spirit need cleansing, healing and forgiveness. The fact that man’s spirit can be adversely affected or negatively influenced, or even defiled by one’s sinful soul is further corroborated in 2 Cor 6:18–7:1,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the YHVH Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse [Gr. katharizo] ourselves from all filthiness [or defilement] of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of Elohim. (emphasis added)

It is for these reasons that the spirit of man needs to be “renewed” (Col 3:10), “made perfect” (Heb 12:23), and “preserved blameless” (1 Thess 5:23).

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him… (Col 3:9–10)

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect… (Heb 12:23)

Now may the Elohim of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. (1 These 5:23)

Are the Human Conscience and the Personal Spirit Interconnected?

Perhaps you have heard the expression, “Let your conscience by your guide.” The implication is that deep inside of each person is an innate sense of what is morally right or wrong. Is there a connection between one’s conscience and one’s spirit and if so what is their relationship? Scripture has a few things to say about the conscience. It not only differentiates between the conscience and the mind, but also reveals that YHVH’s basic moral laws are written on the human conscience, which then informs the mind.

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. (Tit 1:15)

Mind is the Greek word noos meaning “the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will.” On the other hand, conscience is the Greek word suneidesis meaning “co-perception, that is, moral consciousness.”  Evidently, the conscience is its own separate entity within a person’s makeup. Is it the same as one’s personal spirit, or at the least, interconnected with it?

The conscience is connected to a man’s personal spirit in some way. In the Testimony of Yeshua, suneidesis along with the word conscience, its English translation, is found some 28 times, and although no apostolic writers tie it directly to one’s personal spirit, the two seem to be interconnected. Paul, for example, understood that the conscience has a sense of what is morally right or wrong. Even some of YHVH’s basic moral laws are inscribed on one’s conscience or the heart at some point in a person’s life—most likely when life itself began—at conception. Thus the heart and conscience are either analogous or maybe even equivalent to each other. Not only that, they then manifest themselves as thoughts in a person’s mind. As we read,

[F]or when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them… (Rom 2:14–15)

Here we discover that a person’s heart along with their conscience act like a moral compass knowing the difference between right and wrong. This internal compass within a person’s innermost being attempts to point a person in the right direction and convicts them when they have done something wrong. An example of this is Yeshua’s encounter with the hypocritical Jews as they were about to stone the adulterous woman. We read,

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Yeshua was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (John 8:9)

The Bible then goes on to extoll the virtues of a good conscience—one that has not acquiesced to wrong or immoral actions. Moreover, we discover that YHVH’s (Torah) commandments along with a person’s faith (in the Word of Elohim and the gospel message) work hand-in-hand with one’s conscience. This not only seems to confirm but to solidify the connection between one’s conscience with one’s inner or personal spirit.

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith… (1 Tim 1:5)

…having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck… (1 Tim 1:19)

…holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. (1 Tim 3:9)

Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. (Heb 13:18)

Similarly, the Bible teaches us that our conscience confirms that we are acting correctly or in accordance with the Creator’s standards of what is right and wrong, namely his Torah-commandments.

Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before Elohim until this day.” (Act 23:1)

This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward Elohim and men. (Act 24:16)

For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of Elohim, and more abundantly toward you. (2 Cor 1:12)

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of Elohim deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of Elohim. (2 Cor 4:2)

I thank Elohim, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day… (2 Tim 1:3)

From these scriptures, we learn that our conscience steers a person in the direction of some of YHVH’s basic Torah-laws (e.g., thou shalt not lie, steal, murder, commit adultery, honor your parents and elders, treat others how you want to be treated and so on). In fact, in most societies around the world, these basic laws of right and wrong included into civil law. Even in godless, non-Christian, communist nations, it is still illegal to murder, steal, and  adultery and lying is frowned upon. Lying in a court of law is illegal. This all points back to the fact that the Creator has written his laws not only a the heart or conscience of each individual, but also on the collective conscience of a most societies as expressed through civil law. This is a testimony to the divine origination of YHVH’s Torah-law and the fact that the Creator has inculcated the basics of his Torah-law into the human psyche from the beginning. If he had not done this, then chaos, mayhem and anarchy would likely have prevailed on earth, and humans would likely have exterminated themselves long ago.

As we move forward in our discussion about the human conscience, let’s connect some dots. Letting Scripture interpret Scripture, here is more proof that the Bible links the conscience and a person’s inner spirit (literally, an aspect of YHVH’s divine nature). Once again, consider the following verses: 

But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. (Job 32:8)

The spirit of man is the lamp of YHVH, searching all his innermost parts. (Prov 20:27)

For You will light my lamp; YHVH my Elohim will enlighten my darkness. (Ps 18:28)

Moreover, the Spirit of Elohim somehow works with man’s conscience or their inner spirit. As Paul writes,

I tell the truth in Messiah, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit… (Rom 9:1)

Elsewhere Yeshua tells us that the Spirit of Elohim or “Spirit of truth” (John 16:13) convicts people of sin (i.e., lawlessness or disobedience to YHVH’s Torah; see 1 John 3:4):

And when [the Spirit] has come, [the Spirit] will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me… (John 16:9)

How does this occur? Simply in this manner: YHVH’s Spirit shines the light of divine Truth into the inner most depths of the human heart. Again we read,

The spirit of a man is the lamp of YHVH, searching all the inner depths of his heart. (Prov 20:27)

For You will light my lamp; YHVH my Elohim will enlighten my darkness. (Ps 18:28)

So what can we conclude from this brief discussion of man’s conscience, one’s inner or personal spirit and YHVH’s Set-Apart or Holy Spirit? When all these Scriptures are combined like pieces of a puzzle, a picture begins to form. The Spirit of YHVH shines divine light into the heart or conscience of a human thus encouraging people to do what is right. This emphasizes the fact that YHVH has already written his basic moral code on a person’s heart, conscience or personal spirit from the beginning of their human existence.

Although the conscience or spirit of man is the candle of YHVH (Prov 20:27) and is also what the Spirit of Elohim begins to work with at the time of one’s spiritual regeneration (or initial faith in Yeshua), the spirit of man can be defiled (stained, polluted or contaminated) or weakened by the corrupting influences of the world, the flesh and the devil. This can occur prior to one’s spiritual conversion or afterwards if a person allows.

However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.…For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?…But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Messiah.…Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake…If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL ITS FULLNESS.”  “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? (1 Cor 8:7, 10, 12, 25, 27–29)

…speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron… (1 Tim 4:2)

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. (Tit 1:15)

Since the spirit of even a righteous person can be influenced, informed negatively or weakened by ungodly outside influences, it needs to be made perfect (or complete) before it is suitable to exist in the presence of YHVH Elohim in one’s afterlife. That is to say, when a righteous person dies and his spirit returns to Elohim in heaven, from whence it originally came, it must be purified or cleansed of worldly influences before it can be reunited with the soul and body of that person at the resurrection of the dead as we discussed above.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect…(Heb 12:22–23, emphasis added)

Now consider another point that highlights the fact that the all false, non-Christian religions of the world have gotten something all wrong. It is impossible for physical works or religious activities to cleanse a defiled conscience. This includes Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism et al.

It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. But Messiah came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh… (Heb 9:9–13)

Only the blood of Yeshua can cleanse one’s conscience of guilt.

…how much more shall the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to Elohim, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim? (Heb 9:14)

Once an evil (or guilty) conscience has been cleansed or redeemed from the power of sin, one can come into a relationship with Elohim.

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yeshua, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of Elohim, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Heb 10:19–22)

Again, how is an evil or corrupted conscience cleansed? Through sprinkling, but with what? Namely, the blood of Yeashua the Messiah, the Redeemer. Through the spilling of his blood at the cross and upon a person’s repentance of their sins and subsequent faith in him, one’s past sins are forgiven, the slate of an evil conscience is wiped clean (Rom 3:25), one is cleansed of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), and through YHVH’s grace a deep inner peace or clear conscience comes to the redeemed believer.

Peter, an apostle of Yeshua the Messiah, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Yeshua the Messiah: grace to you and peace be multiplied. (1 Pet 1:1–2)

…and from Yeshua the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His Elohim and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Rev 1:5–6)

Does the Spirit of Man Live on After Physically Death?

So what happens to man when he dies? Does his spirit live on? Is it conscious after death? This seems to have been as much a question to the ancients as it is today. For example, we read,

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Ps 90:10, emphasis added)

What is this verse supposed to mean? What did the psalmist have in mind when he wrote it? Did he know something that we don’t? The Hebrew word for fly away (Heb. uwf) literally means just that.

Even to Solomon, a man of no mean intelligence, wondered what happens to man after he dies.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? (Eccl 3:21)

If man, in some state of existence, exists after his physical death, while awaiting the resurrection of his physical body, James the apostle seemed not to be aware of it when he wrote,

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (Jas 4:14)

If Peter the apostle was aware that man continued to live in some spirit-state of existence after his death, he certainly gave us no clue of it when he wrote,

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.…For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, YHVH said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand… (Acts 2:29, 34)

Even Solomon’s affirmative statement about the spirit (Heb. ruach) of man “returning to Elohim who gave it in Ecclesiastes 12:7 gives us no clue as to the state of man’s existence after his physical death. In this verse, the Hebrew word for spirit, ruach, is so generic in its meaning that one can read just about any meaning one wants into this verse. In light of the fact that the same author earlier in the same book ponders the perennial question regarding man’s fate after his death without answering his own question, we cannot assume that he had the answer.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? (Eccl 3:21)

So upon death, when the spirit of man returns to the Father who initially gave it, is the spirit conscious? The psalmist answers this question:

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? (Ps 6:4 cp. Ps 115:17; 118:17; Isa 38:18–19)

Thus, the spirit remains unconscious in heaven awaiting its reuniting with the body and soul at the future resurrection of the dead.

Conclusion

What is the bottom line of this entire discussion? The Bible reveals that the ancient biblical sages and holy men did not give much consideration to state of man’s existence after his physical life, and neither should we. It was somewhat of a mystery then, and it still is today. Perhaps this is because YHVH Elohim does not want his people to be focused on what happens to them after they die, but rather on living out one’s physical life here and now in a manner that is pleasing to him with the understanding and faith that one’s afterlife will take care of itself. Afterall, once one is dead, one has no more control over one’s fate; it is totally in the Creator’s hands. Is not this, after all, the essence of the saint’s faith walk? YHVH gifted each of us with life, and, in faith, they leave it up to their Creator and Redeemer to ensure that they will be justly rewarded and cared for in the future. 

For the present time, YHVH has inscribed on the human heart or conscience his most basic moral laws to give man a sense of right and wrong and to point each us to him. It is now up to each person to follow that tiny light of Truth that is indigenously found deep within each of our inner spirits and that will, if followed, lead us to Yeshua the Messiah, who is the way to YHVH the Father in heaven resulting in eternal life or immortality.