Great victories occur when we become poor in spirit.

Humility is not the same as being poor in spirit. Humility is about esteeming others better than you.

To be Poor in spirit means emptying yourself of your passions and being filled with God’s desires. In other words, not using your power to influence when you could. But when God says.

Here are three powerful examples to understand the application of being poor in spirit.

What happens when you are poor in spirit?

1. David encourages himself in the Lord at Ziklag, instead of getting angry at those going against him. His wives and children, along with the wives and children of his army, were captured by the enemy. The men who once praised him and wanted to fight by his side turned against him. (1 Samuel 30:6).
2. King Solomon, though the son of a great King, initially did not be hasty in using his newfound authority. Instead, he sought wisdom from God.
3. The disciples wanted to bring fire down on Samaria because they felt rejected. Jesus exposed the wrong spirit in the disciples, reminding them that he came to save the souls of men, not destroy them.

What made every hero of faith win great victories? They heard the word of God. They were obedient.

The psalmist prays, The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm‬ ‭119:130‬)

God made man simple. To be simple is to do as told because you know the one leading you to know best. You keep your passions in check.

During the OT, the Father led Adam and then the Israelites.
Jesus led the followers while on earth.
In our case, the Holy Spirit.

Give room for the Word and Holy Spirit. Both clean us and keep us free, in peace and rest. The love of the Father, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit rest and abide with us until Jesus comes in His eternal glory. Amen!