The “inner man” is a biblical concept that refers to the spiritual part of a person. It is contrasted with the “outer man” which is the physical body. The inner man is eternal while the outer man is temporary and perishing. Understanding the inner man is crucial for spiritual growth and living a godly life.
The Bible teaches that human beings are made up of body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The body is the physical part, the soul includes the mind, will and emotions, and the spirit is the innermost part that can commune with God. When the Bible refers to the “inner man” it is primarily pointing to the human spirit, the part that was regenerated when a person became a Christian. Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about the inner man.
The inner man is renewed and strengthened by God
Even after becoming a Christian, the inner man needs ongoing renewal and strengthening. Paul prayed that the Ephesians would “be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). He later tells them “be renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23). The inner man is renewed by the indwelling Holy Spirit as we yield ourselves to Him. As we spend time in prayer, worship and God’s word, the Spirit renews our inner man to become more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Paul also prayed for the Colossians that they “may be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11). God strengthens the inner man by His mighty power to enable endurance in trials. As we rely on Him through difficult times, our inner self is renewed and fortified. The inner man is also strengthened when we fix our eyes on unseen eternal realities rather than temporary earthly troubles (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
The inner man can be blessed by God
The inner man is the part of us that receives God’s blessings. After explaining the new covenant in Christ, Paul concludes by praying “May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). God sanctifies the whole person, spirit, soul and body. As we yield to Him, our inner man is blessed and sanctified.
In Psalm 51, David asks God to have mercy on him and “cleanse me from my sin”. He goes on to pray “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Even though David had sinned horribly, he knew God could renew and bless his inner man. No matter what we’ve done, God can sanctify our inner being as we repent and seek Him wholeheartedly.
The inner man can be troubled or refreshed
Since the inner man is the core of our being, it is greatly affected by what goes on inside of us. When David was surrounded by enemies he cried out, “My soul is greatly troubled” (Psalm 6:3). In the depths of despair he prays “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Psalm 42:5). However, David’s hope was in God who could restore him. “He restores my soul” he declares in Psalm 23:3. God’s word and presence refreshes and revives the inner man.
As believers we may experience times when our inner being is disturbed and troubled. However, we have hope in God who understands our struggles. Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses because he was tempted in every way yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). We can boldly approach His throne to “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). He is able to calm the storms of our heart when we call out to Him.
The inner man can be injured or healed
Since the inner man is the spiritual part of us, it is affected by sin, lies and ungodly beliefs we take in. Lies we believe about God and wrong thinking can wound our spirit. But the good news is God can heal and restore our inner man when we submit to Him. David recognizes this after his sin with Bathsheba. He pleads with God, “heal my soul, for I have sinned against you!” (Psalm 41:4). Even when the inner man is crushed and damaged, God can heal and revive it.
The book of Proverbs talks much about the health of the inner person. “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot” (Proverbs 14:30). Bitterness, envy and pride damage the inner man. “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed” (Proverbs 15:13). Godly wisdom, on the other hand, brings health and life to the inner man. “My son, be attentive to my words…for they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:20-22).
The inner man can be strengthened through God’s word
Since the human spirit connects with the spiritual realm, it is strengthened and nourished most by the word of God. Jesus declares “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). As we devote ourselves to studying and applying God’s word, our inner man is built up. Peter encourages believers, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).
The word of God has a powerful effect on the human heart. “For the word of God 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” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s word diagnoses and deals with the deepest places of our inner being. As we yield to its work, our spirit is strengthened and aligned with God.
The inner man can serve God
The regenerated human spirit is the part of us that can worship God, pray to Him and serve Him. Jesus tells the woman at the well, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Our inner man is capable of sincerely worshipping and communing with the Lord. “Pray without ceasing”, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is our spirit that prays continually by living in God’s presence throughout the day.
Paul made the choice to serve God with his spirit. “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son” (Romans 1:9). He served and preached the gospel with his whole heart. Our inner man can be fully devoted to the Lord when we yield ourselves to Him. The life of God then flows through us to bless others. “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” Jesus promises (John 7:38).
The inner man can be the dwelling place of God’s Spirit
One of the most amazing truths about the inner man is that when we are born again, God’s Spirit comes to live within our spirit. Paul tells believers, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). God doesn’t just visit our inner being occasionally. He takes up permanent, lifelong residence in our heart!
Paul explains this further in Ephesians 3. “I bow my knees before the Father…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:14-17). The strengthening of our inner man is so that Christ may dwell deeply in our hearts. Experiencing the depths of God’s love and Christ making His home in us transforms our inner being.
The state of the inner man is more important than outward appearance
When Samuel was sent to anoint Israel’s next king, the Lord warned him “man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). While people judge by external qualities, God examines the inner man. He looks at the character of the heart. This was an important criteria for choosing leaders in Israel.
This truth applies to all believers as well. Our inner condition before God is what matters most, not outward acts of religious duty. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for focusing on external rituals while neglecting the state of their hearts. He told them, “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside” (Matthew 23:25-26 NIV). God cares most about the purity and condition of our inner being.
The flesh and the spirit are in conflict within us
Although the inner man is transformed when we are born again, we also retain our sinful fleshly nature until glorification. The flesh and the spirit war against each other within us. Paul describes this struggle. “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other” (Galatians 5:17). The flesh pulls us toward sin, while the new nature in Christ pulls towards righteousness.
Paul goes on to urge believers, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). As we submit to the Holy Spirit within us, He strengthens the inner man to overcome fleshly desires. Though we stumble at times, the spiritual part of us can gain dominance through trusting daily in Christ’s work within us. His grace empowers us to crucify the fleshly nature and to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV).
One key to living a godly life is setting our minds on the Spirit
The battle between flesh and spirit takes place primarily in the mind. “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Romans 8:5 NIV). Our thoughts determine whether we are controlled by sinful flesh or by the Holy Spirit.
Paul therefore urges us, “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3). The key is fixing our thoughts on the unseen realities of God and His kingdom. As we fill our minds with His truth and presence, our inner self comes into alignment with His will. This leads to walking in step with the Spirit who indwells us.
The inner self is being renewed day by day
The inner man isn’t instantly perfected at conversion. There is a lifelong process of renewal and growth. Paul says, “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV). The spirit is strengthened little by little as we feed on God’s word, obey Him and serve Him.
Paul was assured that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). God isn’t finished with us just because we’ve trusted in Christ. By His grace He will continue transforming our inner being to reflect Jesus more and more. Yielding ourselves to His work results in increasing renewal. Our part is cooperation, His part is the power to change us.
One day the inner man will be fully redeemed and glorified
While the full redemption of the inner man waits for the future, it is guaranteed for believers. Paul reminds the Ephesians that they were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, “who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (Ephesians 1:13-14). The indwelling Spirit is the firstfruits and deposit of the full redemption to come. As Paul says in Romans 8:23, “we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
This is why Paul can say “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The trials we experience are producing an incomparable eternal glory for our inner man. One day we will receive a glorified spirit, soul and body free from all sin and corruption. What an amazing hope for the inner man!
Key truths about the inner man
In summary, here are some key truths the Bible teaches about the human spirit, or inner man:
- The inner man refers primarily to the human spirit regenerated by God
- It is strengthened and renewed by the Holy Spirit
- It is blessed and sanctified as we yield ourselves to God
- It can be troubled or refreshed depending on our spiritual condition
- It is injured through sin but healed through God’s mercy
- It is nourished and built up by God’s word
- It is capable of sincerely worshipping, praying to and serving God
- God’s Spirit comes to dwell within and transform the inner man
- The inner condition is more important than outward acts
- It is in conflict with the desires of the flesh
- It is renewed through fixing our thoughts on the Spirit
- It is transformed progressively as we cooperate with God
- One day it will be fully redeemed and glorified
Understanding the biblical teaching about the inner man helps us cooperate with God’s work in our hearts. We can yield ourselves to His life-changing process of inner renewal by faith and through disciplines like prayer, study and obedience. The result will be increasing Christlikeness and intimacy with God. Our ultimate hope is the redemption of the inner man when we see Jesus face to face and are transformed into His likeness.