Spirit, Soul, and Body

We have two different verses here that talk about the spirit and the soul.  What is the difference?  I know that to me they see quite similar.


1 Thessalonians 5:23(NKJV)
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 




Hebrews 4:12(NKJV)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 


spirit
1. the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
2. the incorporeal part of humans:
present in spirit though absent in body.
3. the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
4. conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter:
the world of spirit.
5. a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character:
evil spirits.
6. a fairy, sprite, or elf.
7. an angel or demon.
8. an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action:
the spirit of reform.
9. (initial capital letter) the divine influence as an agency working in the human heart.
10. a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Num. 11:25; Is. 32:15.
11. (initial capital letter) the third person of the Trinity; Holy Spirit.
12. the soul or heart as the seat of feelings or sentiments, or as prompting to action:
a man of broken spirit.
13. spirits, feelings or mood with regard to exaltation or depression:
low spirits; good spirits.
14. excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of intent, etc.; mettle:
That's the spirit!
15. temper or disposition:
meek in spirit.
16. an individual as characterized by a given attitude, disposition, character, action, etc.:
A few brave spirits remained to face the danger.
17. the dominant tendency or character of anything:
the spirit of the age.
18. vigorous sense of membership in a group:
college spirit.
19. the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc. (opposed to letter):
the spirit of the law.
20. Chemistry. the essence or active principle of a substance as extracted in liquid form, especially by distillation.
21. Often, spirits. a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.
22. Chiefly British. alcohol.
23. Pharmacology. a solution in alcohol of an essential or volatile principle; essence (def 3).
24. any of certain subtle fluids formerly supposed to permeate the body.
25. the Spirit, God.


Now let's look at the definition of soul.


soul
1. the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.
2. the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect, or as believed to survive death and be subject to happiness or misery in a life to come:
arguing the immortality of the soul.
3. the disembodied spirit of a deceased person:
He feared the soul of the deceased would haunt him.
4. the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments.
5. a human being; person.
6. high-mindedness; noble warmth of feeling, spirit or courage, etc.
7. the animating principle; the essential element or part of something.


That is clear as mud isn't it?  Let me take a stab at it.


The spirit is what animates our bodies and gives us life here on earth.  It dies when we do.  The soul on the other hand is what lives on. 

Am I correct?  I'm not sure.  I will be looking for Scripture to confirm this.