What is a soul link?

Answer

The concept of a soul link is rooted in Hindu mysticism and Greek mythology, considered a New Age belief. It is often referred to as a soul mate, soul twin, or twin flame. A soul link is believed to be experienced by two individuals who share a spiritual connection. This connection signifies that their souls originated from the same spiritual source before taking physical form. The belief in soul links is associated with reincarnation, with many holding the belief that the two halves of a soul link will reunite through multiple reincarnations.

Some individuals cite 1 Samuel 18:1 as a reference to a soul link: “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David” (KJV). However, this verse metaphorically expresses that Jonathan and David were deeply bonded in friendship (NET). While they were devoted to each other, there was no mystical merging of souls.

The idea of a soul link or soul mate originates from Plato’s work. In The Symposium, Plato narrates a humorous tale about the original human beings who possessed two faces, four arms, and four legs. These humans posed a threat to the gods, prompting the gods to divide them in half. This division ensured that the gods would receive double the tribute from humans and also served to humble humanity. Following the separation, the humans became despondent and stopped eating, leading the gods to mend their bodies. According to the myth, humans have since sought their other half taken by the gods, and upon finding this other half, they experience a sense of wholeness. Many works of romantic literature and art draw inspiration from this concept.

Humans frequently experience a sense of incompleteness. Loneliness and a feeling of lacking something are universally recognized emotions. It is possible to reside in bustling cities surrounded by others and still grapple with profound loneliness. This feeling of inadequacy cannot be resolved or alleviated solely through romantic love, as itAnyone who has experienced love can confirm.

The only truly fulfilling “soul connection” is the one we can experience with our Creator. God has designed humans to crave a relationship with Him, and when we are “connected” to Him in our souls, we feel content (Psalm 1; John 3:29; John 7:38; John 16:22). Unfortunately, sin constantly leads us to seek that contentment elsewhere “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13). Anything from a pagan idol to a glass of wine can become our replacement for God. Lovers, drugs, work, television, sports, and even our own families can turn into idols when we attempt to find completeness in them or when we use them as distractions from the void we feel without God. The Bible instructs us to remain in Christ, or else we can achieve nothing “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (John 15:4), and this holds true, both on a profound, spiritual level and on a practical, day-to-day level. Personal dysfunction is closely tied to our separation from God. When we seek a soul connection between ourselves and our Creator, all other necessities—including joy, pleasure, contentment, security, and completeness—will be provided to us (see Matthew 6:33; Psalm 16).