Are you poor in spirit?
What does it really mean to be poor in spirit? It’s not lack of intellectual ability or being poor materially. Instead, being poor in spirit refers to a person who believes he or she is nothing without God. A believer who gives all honour and glory to God alone for every good thing in their life. A Christian who depends only on God for all things.
Adam was poor in spirit, he depended on God alone. Everything in his life was provided for, his spirit rested in God’s grand provision and glory. Did he labour? Yes he did. He probably had a 4 day work-week, and maybe 6 hours a day. Just saying. There was no need to sweat it out!
Sin, changed it all. Eve was beguiled. Her spirit was deceptively charmed by the devils convincingly damaging use of the Word. Disobedience corrupted the spirit of man. His spirit became enslaved to the desires of the body, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
When we seek more than what God desires for us, we will end up being led away from the very purpose of this life. Depression, loneliness, feelings of inadequacy and disinterest in life creeps in.
When you are born again, the spirit of man, made new in Christ, is aware of Heaven. An obedient Christian is aware of Gods heart - what is in Gods mind. The spirit is renewed daily to maintain a mind like Christ Jesus. Jesus made Himself of no reputation. He made Himself a Zero so God could make Him the Hero. Jesus regarded Himself insignificant. He had Zero spiritual arrogance!
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
Heaven is for the poor in spirit.
Contrast the nature of Jesus with the disciples and what do we have?
“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke9:51-56
The disciples were offended when their Master who they “loved” so much was rejected or refused. SO much that they wanted to misuse the power of God to respond in their vengeful spirit. Jesus, who could have literally made it happen, chose to show them the new way to deal with opposition. Walk away without a grudge, for Christ came to save. All of mankind deserves Gods love. Every Christian must walk in peace and in the spirit of meekness.
Spiritual arrogance is rampant among Christians today. When one is blessed materially and physically, the spirit is mostly drawn to complacency and spiritual neglect. Pride of place, language, position, need for makeup and fashions, etc. are all divisive and goes against the nature of God. It impacts the spirit, giving rise to earthly ambitions that are temporary.
Are you poor in spirit? Keep your spirit under subjection to the loving Word of God. God is in control. Let His Spirit lead your spirit to fulfil Gods purpose concerning your life. Jesus, is a lifestyle choice. One that impacts your eternity. Be ambitious about your heavenly life, all in God's will.