Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Who Destroys the Soul?

Who Destroys the Soul?

Tim, Please comment more on Matt. 10:28. Some translations actually say to fear God who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Is God the one to be feared? Yet perfect love casts out all fear.

W


Great question, W, let’s first review how this passage is rendered in several versions:

KJV:  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

ESV and NRSV:  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

NASB:  Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

GNT:  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

NIV:  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

The text itself does not indicate who is the one who has the ability to destroy both body and soul in hell, thus the first three versions, by leaving it more ambiguous, give a more accurate translation to Christ’s words. The latter three versions read into the verse what the translators believe Christ was implying, the idea that God is the One to be feared, but which Christ did not say.

One lesson to be learned from this is the importance of checking a variety of translations before coming to a conclusion and being aware that in translation some inference can be added, as has happened in this case.

Another place this happened was in John 12:32 when Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” The word “men” is supplied by the translators, it is not in the Greek. Colossians tells us that “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”  (Col 1:20,21). In other words, Christ’s death was important to heavenly beings and resulted in Satan being cast out of their affections and sympathy. But by adding “men,” a subtle narrowing of the impact of Christ’s death occurs.

Back to Matthew 10:28, so how do we know who is the one we must fear? The rest of the Bible provides the evidence. The first question we must ask, is God for us or against us?

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:31-34

Notice God is for us, God has chosen us and God has justified us, but if that is not good enough to bring you comfort and alleviate your fears, don’t worry, you have Jesus in addition to the Father interceding for you.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. 2Cor 5:19

Again the Bible teaches God is the one reconciling us, through His Son. God is not against us. These are just two texts, but the Bible is filled with the same message, God is our Friend who is on our side, using all His power to save, heal, and redeem. He is not the One of whom we should be terrified.

Then who has the power to destroy both body and soul in hell?

  • Psalms 34:21
    • Evil shall slay the wicked – KJV
    • Evil will kill the wicked – GNT
    • Evil brings death to the wicked – NRSV
  • Romans 6:23
    • For the wages of sin is death – NIV
  • James 1:15
    • sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. – ESV

What is it that actually destroys the soul? It is not God! It is unremedied sin!

Sin destroys, God heals, restores, saves, cures, remedies, redeems.

Sadly far too many Christians have been duped into believing that God is the destroyer, when in fact, sin is the destroyer. This confusion arises from failure to read the Bible as a whole and incorporate all the passages together when forming our understanding. When we read passages such as the ones below in isolation we can draw the conclusion that God is the one who destroys.

If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple. 1Cor 3:17

“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. 1Cor 6:13

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 2Thes 2:8

But notice the key revealed in the Thessalonians’ text.  What destroys the wicked? The splendor or brightness of His coming.  Why does this destroy? For a full exploration of this topic please see my blog The Question of Punishment part III.

The bottom line is this, when Christ returns, when God reveals Himself in full glory, those who have experienced a new heart and right spirit, who have had the law written on the heart, who have had the mind of Christ reproduced within – those healed of sinfulness will be transformed by the life giving glory of God. Like Elijah, they will ride in chariots of fire. Like the millions of God’s friends described in Daniel 7, they will live in the rivers of fire coming out from God, because there is nothing harmful about the fire of God’s presence. But to those whose minds are solidified in sinfulness, the fires of God’s presence will consume them. Therefore, as the Bible says, “our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29), consuming sin wherever it is found.

The righteous, who through God’s grace have experienced renewal, rejoice in the fires of His presence, but the wicked are consumed by His life giving glory. Why are the wicked consumed? Because they have solidified their minds and characters into believing lies about God (sinfulness), which is consumed by His glorious presence of absolute Truth and Love.

Therefore, the one who destroys both body and soul is the one who refuses Christ, who refuses to allow God to heal their mind, heart, and character here and now, the one who refuses to be freed from sinfulness, but instead aligns their heart with it. What we need to fear is not God who is trying to save us, but sinfulness, which if unremedied will destroy us.

I hope this helps,

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.