You should know, in a very practical sense, that just as it’s possible to be hurt, it’s also possible to be healed, and even better, it’s possible to avoid getting hurt. This is the good news for you. Inner wounds can have dramatic consequences in a person’s life. They can hold you back, burden you, lead to your ruin, self-destruction, and even death. All of this can be foreseen and prevented.

As a child of God, you should be aware that there are several strategies to avoid soul injuries, of which I’ll mention three:

• Watch over the gates of your soul.
• Listen to the voice of God.
• Possess the fruit of the Spirit.

I. Watch over the gates of your soul.

The truth is that your soul acts as a mediator between your body and your spirit. It communicates with both your body and your spirit. Each part of your being is connected to the soul through elements specific to its constitution. Your body, in particular, is closely tied to the soul, as the spirit has no issues since it resides within.

Your soul is connected to your body, and your body has nerves that, in turn, connect to your sensory organs (sight, taste, hearing, smell, and touch). These sensory organs constitute the gates of your soul. Anything that affects your sensory organs can naturally impact your soul.

Nerves function as conductors of electricity, linking not only the body’s organs but also the soul and the body. They allow the body to communicate with the soul in a vivid and reciprocal manner.

Here are the gates of your soul:

• Your eyes
• Your ears
• Your nose
• Your tongue
• Your skin

To prevent soul injuries, you must watch over these five elements, which are vital for you and your environment. You need to be vigilant about what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch to avoid injuries. Be careful and watch over your soul every day, lest…

Moses, in his final precepts and recommendations to the children of Israel before his death, advises them to watch over their souls (Deuteronomy 4:9, 19). This goes beyond watching over one’s feelings and emotions; it includes guarding against anything that could affect the soul from the outside. While it is God’s responsibility to watch over souls to preserve life, it is the duty of humans to guard their souls against being influenced by external events. Thus, it’s important for humans to be vigilant about what they see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. In the Old Testament, one could defile their soul simply by touching certain things or tasting certain foods.

You must watch over your soul because what can hurt you is all around you and can affect your inner self. This is a continuous and relentless duty that must be exercised, as failure to do so exposes you to unwarranted soul injuries, especially in a world where people and circumstances can be malevolent. It is clear that one who does not watch over their soul will perish.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23

II. Listen to the voice of God.

Since soul injuries delay our destiny, it’s crucial to listen to the One who has mapped out this path for us, our Creator. Simply listening to the voice of God can prevent many tragedies and shield us from numerous injuries in our journey. Your body, soul, and spirit are secure when exposed to the sound of His voice.

His voice provides guidance in confusion, in loneliness, and in your desert; it accurately shows you the path to follow, the highways of peace and calm waters. It imparts the precepts that lead to true peace of the soul. Discovering God’s voice is a source of assurance for the soul. It clarifies emotions, stabilizes feelings, quiets worries and anxieties, and stills agitation. One who discovers God’s voice discovers the paths to peace and regains the joy of the soul.

Let His voice guide you to green pastures to restore your soul. Failure to listen to His voice is the root of many scandals we witness around us. God’s voice is the channel through which He communicates with humanity, and it has less to do with the sound of the voice and more with God’s articulated and non-articulated language toward humanity.

Indeed, God speaks once, or twice, yet no one notices it. Job 33:14

God employs various methods to speak to you and make His voice heard. He can make His voice heard through dreams, visions, and certain circumstantial situations around you. The issue has never been God’s voice but rather humanity’s willingness to listen. It’s natural to listen to God’s voice, especially when you are His child; He not only wants to speak to you but also desires you to listen.

Listening to God is your legal right if you are a child of God and acknowledge your belonging to Him. You must learn to listen to God to commune with Him and preserve your soul from distress and pain. Be attentive to God. As one man once said, “If you want to hear God, start by opening your Bible.” He was referring to listening to God through His word, as God is often found in what He has already said. If you don’t understand what’s happening around you, delve into the Scriptures; they are the highways of God’s voice. Every human in contact with God’s word can genuinely listen to Him.

Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your word. Psalms 119:67

God’s voice in His word has the power to keep you on the right path, preventing you from straying. It is the safeguard that keeps you on course and shields you from deviation.

Starting today, commit to listening to God through His word, and I assure you that you will be spared from injuries, calamities, and anxieties that come your way. God’s voice will prevent you from entering relationships without God, safeguard you from falling into the enemy’s trap against your plans and your life, and select the people destined to carry your purpose. It will keep your soul attached to the ways of the Lord.

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This text is an excerpt from the book “ATTAINING HEALING FOR SOUL WOUNDS” written by Exaucé BASHILWANGO.