“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 KJV
Jesus Christ kicks off this great sermon by telling us what the state of our hearts should be like if we want to enter His paradise. He tells us that to be able to enter into heaven, we should be poor in spirit.
But what does this mean?
To be poor is to lack something. This naturally triggers a desire to search, to ask and to receive what is lacked.
Poverty brings a kind of humility with it. A heart that is poor in spirit is one that realises it’s emptiness. One that understands that there is nothing about it that can be compared to God.
We should never get to a point in our lives were we think or feel we are full enough not to desire more of God.
Someone who is poor in spirit is one whose heart isn’t hardened. It’s the fertile heart referred to in the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-20). It isn’t perfect but it’s always ready to accept his/her mistakes and make amendments. One that is easily pricked and repentant. It’s a heart like David’s. He wasn’t flawless but yet he was a man after God’s heart because he understood what it meant to have a godly sorrow when convicted. You see he was referred to as a man after God’s heart because he recognised he was nothing before God. He was willing to accept and enjoy the grace of God.
To be poor in spirit is to realise our need for God. This need results in a hunger that only God can fill.
Being poor in spirit is when we put away our pride and understand that we do not know it all and because of this, we need the help of The God who knows it all.
It’s to accept our frailty as humans and acknowledge our limitations.
These thoughts brings us to a place of humility where we find our knees on the floor as we cry out for strength from The One who sustains.
Someone whose heart is poor in spirit is one who desires God. Who has an unquenchable thirst for God. It’s the contrite and humble heart that is referred to in Isaiah 57:15 and Psalm 51:17.
This desire to know more of God, makes us see His word more than a mere book. This is what makes us spend time with God even when it isn’t convenient. If we haven’t tasted food for 3 days and we know where to find food, we will do all we can to get that food because of the desire that has been triggered by hunger. So it is when we are poor in spirit. As we spend time in His word, He transforms us to look more like Him. And what is the nature of Jesus Christ? He is love. When we love God, we love others.
The blessing promised to someone like this is the Kingdom of Heaven. What a great reward! Ultimately, no one can get into heaven without a poor spirit. Pride has no way and place in heaven. We are proud when we no longer feel the need to desire God. We are basically telling Him that we won’t to try figure things out with our understanding.
So as you read this today, check your heart.
Have you allowed pride into your heart?
Have you started feeling like you can have a sound knowledge of God and a strong christian life without spending time with God?
What makes us think we want to spend eternity with God when we are not bothered to know more about Him?
Would you say, you have a poor spirit?
Do you feel a desire for God?
Do we really love God or we just like the idea of saying we love Him?
If not, it’s not too late. That hunger can be triggered again but you have to desire more of God and reach out for His word to feed you just as you would reach out to food when hungry. This is the only way your life can be transformed. Studying and meditating on the word and prayer goes together.
There is no quick fix to this. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be.
Thanks for reading. Please click on the link below to read more topics on this series.
Thanks Efua, looking forward to the part 2
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Thank you for reading
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“We should never get to a point in our lives where we think or feel we are full enough not to desire more of God” Thanks for this expository post. God bless you.
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Thanks for stopping by. God bless you too!
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Amen!
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Great post! Definitely some good reminders here to check the condition of our heart and continue to seek after God, nourishing ourselves with His Word. Thanks!
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Thanks Mia. I’m glad you liked it🙂
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Amen! What a beautiful post and reminder of what is important, dear Efua! I’m gonna love this series; I can tell! 🙂 ❤ ❤
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Ah Lynn! Thank you for your kind words. I’m sure you will love it🙂❤️
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This really is encouraging to me because I’ve felt like I’ve been struggling so much these past few weeks. Always aware of things I’m doing wrong, thinking judgments, and being focused on things I shouldn’t be. God has bee kind and consistent in pricking my spirit, as well as keeping me accountable. There’s a lot of room to grow. Your post just assures me when I turn to Him, I’m on the right path ❤ Thanks sis!
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T. R, that is what it means to be poor in spirit. You’re feeling that way because you want to do more and do better for God. Remember David? I love how you said God has been kind and consistent. I’m sure the more you’re seeking God, the more He’s revealing things to you and this can be seen from the little I know about you on here. You are a light that is shinning for Christ. I pray we never lose the desire to seek, pray and push for more of Him🙏🏾. I thank God you are encouraged❤️
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Thank you so much ❤ I see all these things in my life, at one time, they were acceptable because God helped me with the bigger stuff I needed to get out of my life, but now it's the smaller things He is giving me conviction for, and I feel so unworthy because He opens my eyes to a lot of things, and it's just like, "Wow."
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I can so relate Sis. I remember at first thinking and feeling I will end up being a weirdo because of the little things He was convicting me of. But I look back now and I thank God. I feel He was trying to see if I will obey Him then. That certainly led to growth and I’m sure you will agree with me. And yes it’s amazing and humbling when He shows me things too.🙂
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Amen, yes my sister, I completely agree with you!!! Every trial, every push, leads to greater endurance and perseverance and this also will strengthen our faith as scripture says ❤
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Dear God if there is any pride in me take it away.Thanks Efua🙏
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Amen. I have been praying that praying too. Thanks sis❤️
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Thanks for sharing Efua
I like it when you said ‘Being poor in spirit is when we put away our pride and understand that we do not know it all and because of this, we need the help of The God who knows it all.” In one of the books i have been reading it suggest’s that we simply dont have the resources to live the Christian life, to meet the standards of the kingdom of God. There is no room for pride. Gulp lol
Such a humbling experience.
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Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!
The reason I’m a Christian is because I realised that without His help, I’m doomed!
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What’s interesting about that is that in order to receive Gods gift in the first place we must come to a place where we are poor in spirit. But it doesn’t end there, there needs to be a continued practice of being poor in spirit, prob even more after we become Christians. Deliberate. 🤯
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It isn’t a once and done event. It’s a daily dying to the flesh kinda thing. Deliberate indeed
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