Catholics focus on souls.
Catholics know that the human soul is “the innermost aspect of man, that which is of greatest value in him, that by which he is most especially in God’s image: ‘soul’ signifies the spiritual principal in man” (Catechism, No. 263).
Hebrews 4:12 makes it clear that the soul is different from the spirit! “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Our soul came into being at conception. Our spirit, mind, and body were “downloaded” around it. Souls are the organizing principle around which we are created. It is our Creative Soul that “is made in the image of God”.
At our human level, our Soul is the image of The Father. Our Spirit is the image of The Holy Spirit. Our mind/body are the image of The Son.
An automotive parallel: Our soul is the driver of a car. It decides where the car is going. Our spirit looks out the window and steers. The car and all its mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems is the body.
“May the God of peace Himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thes 5:23)
Just as we don’t want to wreck the car and cause injury, our soul wants to get to Heaven. In drug and drink-affected drivers, the spirit takes charge.
Many souls are overcome by demands of the spirit. “I am important! I want to be in charge! I want! I want! I want!”
When spirits take over, God is ignored. Those driven by the vanity of their spirit ignore God! “I don’t want to listen to The Catholic Church, even if Jesus did Decree it into Being! I want what I want and I want it now!”
Thus, Protestantism and its justifications of the demands of the spirit.
