The Four-Fold Life

In 2015, I did a Staff Devotion at Staff Training weekend on The Four-Fold Life, and how to take that into the real world with you, especially as it related to setting goals and reaching them.

That summer, in our Bibles, each day we focused on one of the aspects of the Four-Fold life - physical, mental, spiritual and social. On Friday, we talked about how those work together in balance to help make us stronger people who make a difference in society. I will spare you all of the notes on that, because how you live your Four-Fold life is very personal. I will post some Bible verses that I found that relate to each of the aspects, just for reference.

HEART (EMOTIONAL OR SOCIAL)

Job 6:14

“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Proverbs 27:17, 19

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer

harm.

Ephesians 4:1-6

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to

which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing

with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs

to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over

all and through all and in all.

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

SOUL (OR SPIRIT)

Genesis 1:1-31

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form

and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was

hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there

was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the

darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was

evening and there was morning, the first day.

Psalm 23:3

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

James 1:22-25

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone

who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his

face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what

he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and

continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed

in what they do.

John 4:24

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

MIND (MENTAL)

Daniel 12:3

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who

turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is

understanding.

Proverbs 24:3-7

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the

rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and

a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your

war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in

the gate he does not open his mouth.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable

and perfect.

John 8:31-32

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are

really my disciples. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

STRENGTH (PHYSICAL)

Isaiah 40:29

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Proverbs 17:22

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my

soul knows it very well.

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent

fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the

world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Matthew 8:17

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and

bore our diseases.”