Bread From Heaven

Blessed to Be Spiritually Poor

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being so good to us. Help us to understand what you want us to be and help us to be it. We know that living in your will, we will be blessed. Help us to remember to bless others as we are blessed.
In Christ’s name,
Amen

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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Sam slammed the front door of the house he and Sandra had purchased together. He was so angry. How could she want to just throw the last 10 years of marriage away with a divorce? He had only cheated on her the one time and it was because they were always arguing. He just wanted some fresh love and a break from all the anger.

As Sam got into his car, he realized he had really hurt her this time. He had never seen that look in her eyes before as she screamed at him. Suddenly, he felt really bad about what he had done. He knew he had done her wrong. As he sat there for a moment, he couldn't imagine what his life would be without Sandta.

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At this point, Sam has 2 options.

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Option 1:(worldly sorrow)
Sam felt sorry for himself. He regrets that he had gotten caught in his lies and deceit. He just can hardly believe his marriage is over just like that! He is tired of fighting and thinks to himself that maybe he would be better off finding another woman. Then maybe he wouldn't have to deal with all that stress all the time. He can go find someone who appreciates the roof he puts over their head and the food he puts on the table. He could find someone who will have a cold drink waiting for him when he gets home from work and will massage his feet. Then she would bring dinner to him in his favorite chair while he watched tv. She would worship him like a king.

Sam just couldn't understand why Sandra wouldn't do that for him. She was always busy attending to the children and acted like he should eat at the table with the rest of the family. After he worked all day, he deserved a break. She was always nagging him to take out the trash, mow the lawn, fix the sink, and change the light bulbs. Why couldn't she do some of that? He worked a job after all and she stayed home with the kids all day. He started up the car and drove away grieving the broken marriage.

Option 2:(Godly sorrow)
Sam gets out of the car with tears in his eyes. He slowly walks back into the house unsure of what he will say. He hears Sandra Sobbing in the bedroom. He walks quietly into the room with her. “Sandra? Are you willing to talk to me right now?”

“How could you? After all we’ve been through, what were you thinking? What about the kids?”

Remorse flooded through him. “I am so sorry that I hurt you. I don't know what I was thinking. I am tired of all the fighting. I miss us, the way we were when we first got married. What happened to us? What do I have to do to win you back? I love you, and I don't want to lose you. I don't want to keep hurting you.”

Sam walks over to her, they are both sobbing now. Sandra looks up at him, she is still deeply in love with him. “I am so angry at you right now. I never expected you to be with another woman! I thought you were better than that. I thought I could trust you! Now I have to worry every time you come home late from work or get a call from another female. How can I ever trust you again? How do I know you won’t continue to see other women behind my back? How can I know you aren't lying to me? I miss the old us too, but I am not sure they exist anymore or ever will again. What you did really hurt this time. It will take me a long time to be able to trust you again if it is even possible.”

Sam reached out, took her hand, and sat down with her on the bed. “I know I really messed up this time. I am so sorry. I don't know how I will ever make it up to you or if I even can. I don't know how to fix this. If you are willing to try, I am willing to try too. I won't ever cheat on you again. I see how much I hurt you and it is taring me up inside. I never want to hurt you like that ever again.”

They ended up sobbing into one another’s shoulders for a long time and just holding one another willing to work on their marriage and give it another try.

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What does it mean to be blessed?

Blessed is a state of happiness, flourishing, blissful, and to be enlarged. It is a lasting state of happiness. In Jesus’ day, to be blessed was a common way to describe someone wealthy.

Blessed: having a sacred nature : connected with God : very welcome, pleasant, or appreciated: bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune: enjoying happiness

What does it mean to be poor in spirit?

To be poor in spirit is to realize you are spiritually bankrupt before God. You know you are completely spiritually destitute because of your sin. The word “poor” in Matthew 5:3 is referring to shrink, to cower, or to cringe. Beggars would often do this when Jesus was here on Earth. We must learn to humble ourselves before God and reverentially fear him. We need to become like a beggar before him pleading for his mercy through the precious blood of Christ. It is having a deep sense of Spiritual poverty and helplessness. It is experiencing Godly sorrow.

Being poor in spirit has nothing to do with physical riches. It is not low self-esteem, self-pity, or self-condemnation. It is a complete absence of self-reliance conceit.
Isaiah 64:6 ▼

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

When you are poor in spirit you are broken and set apart from self-righteousness.
Luke 18:9-14 ▼

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Our focus is turned to God, and we humble ourselves before him. We display Godly sorrow and true repentance.
Isaiah 6:5 ▼

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.
John 15:5 ▼

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jesus must increase while we decrease.
John 3:30 ▼

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Blessed are the humbled in spirit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humility

Humility often requires enormous self-knowledge, self-control, and self-esteem. It is not low self-esteem, but knowing the truth about one’s self. It is submission to God's will. It is knowing your own strengths and weaknesses. Humility demonstrates honesty. It is described as meekness, lowliness, and the absence of focus on self. It is an attitude of the mind and heart.

Humility is concerned with what is right, and pride focuses on who is right. Humility brings people toward God and away from self while pride moves people away from God and towards self. In Matthew 5:3, the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the humble and not the prideful.

When we come before Christ as a sinner, we must come to him with humility. Humility causes us to die to ourselves and to serve Christ and others before ourselves.
Galatians 2:20 ▼

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Philippians 2:3 ▼

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

In John 13:1-16, we see that Jesus set an example to serve, not to be served. We are to follow his example and do the same.
John 13:1-16 ▼

1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

Philippians 2:5-8 ▼

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

God gives grace to the humble, but he resists the proud.
Proverbs 3:34 ▼

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Luke 14:11 ▼

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

1 Peter 5:5 ▼

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

True Christians will glory in the cross and God's grace, not in self-righteousness.
Philippians 3:3-10 ▼

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Sorrow of the World

In our story above, this is demonstrated in option 1.

Worldly sorrow produces death because it doesn't produce repentance. It is self-centered. It is a sorrow that you got caught or are suffering consequences. It focuses on self. It is full of self pity.

The sorrow of the world is not sorry because it caused harm to God or other people. It runs away from God. It hides and cowers.

A good example of worldly sorrow over sin is Judas after he betrayed Jesus. He wasn't concerned with what had happened to Jesus as a result of his actions. He was concerned with his own reputation and consequences. He was blown off by the priests at the temple when he tried to “repent”. He punished himself by hanging himself instead of trusting in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus. As a result, his soul ended up in Hell.
Matthew 27:3-5 ▼

3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Worldly sorrow hardens the heart, like it did with pharaoh and the children of Israel in the book of Exodus. Pharaoh never had a true change of heart. He would repent until the plague was taken away, then he would go back to keeping them as slaves. Even after he had let them go, he and his army pursued after them, and ended up dying in the red sea. He not only suffered a physical death, but a spiritual one too.

Worldly sorrow does not trust in God's goodness and love. It lacks faith in God and his promises and his word. It wallows in self-pity as it focuses on personal weaknesses and flaws. It produces low self-esteem.

This kind of sorrow is often what causes depression and suicide. Yikes! I just stepped on my own toes there. Worldly sorrow leaves us without hope.

I am not condemning anyone suffering from depression. I do myself, but it is good to be aware of where it is coming from. We need to know this kind of sorrow does not come from Almighty God.
2 Timothy 1:7 ▼

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I am personally learning to put on the spirit of praise for the spirit of heaviness. This spirit of heaviness is worldly sorrow that leads to death. It is focused on self. When we begin to praise God in spite of our circumstances, we are changing our focus from us to God and his Word. This lifts my spirit every time I do it. Sometimes it takes a little longer than others, but if I continue to praise God, my heart becomes joyful. It activates my faith.
Isaiah 61:3 ▼

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

I can also think of a lot of other examples in my own life when I exhibited worldly sorrow instead of Godly sorrow. I feared the consequences of my sins, but it was self focused. I was afraid for myself. I didn't realize that my sin offended God and hurt his feelings. I knew sin made him angry, but I didn't understand why. I didn't want to go to Hell. I wanted the sin without the consequences. Therefore, I did not change. True change began only after I had Godly sorrow and true repentance.

Worldly sorrow makes you feel bad about being caught, feel guilt-ridden, causes mental and emotional disorders, attempts to cover up and hide sin, causes you to punish yourself, and separates us from God. Everything worldly does not come from God. Worldly sorrow leaves you with a sense of hopelessness.
1 John 2:15-17 ▼

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Worldly sorrow tends to put the blame on others and does not take full responsibility. It is hypocritical. It only produces repentance to be seen by others. It leads to self-destructive behavior. It is driven by guilt and shame. It resents exhortation and warnings as though they are medling.

Another good example of worldly sorrow is when God confronted Adam and Eve of their sin in the garden. When their eyes were opened, they tried to cover up their nakedness and fix it with their own effort. Then, when they heard God approaching, they were afraid of their consequences. They ran and hid from him. Then, when that didn't work and he found them, they began pointing fingers at each other, trying to cast the blame away from themselves.
Genesis 3:6-13 ▼

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Godly Sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:8-11

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

In our story above, this is illustrated in option 2.

Godly sorrow begins with the cross when we cry out to Jesus to have mercy on us. Being poor in spirit means having Godly sorrow. It is humbling ourselves before Almighty God. It has to do with being truly sorrowful for our sin and greiving because we grieved God. This produces true repentance.
Isaiah 55:6-7 ▼

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Repentance is having a change of mind and heart. It is more than just acknowledging and confessing sins with a promise to do better next time. It is having a deep desire to truly be different from now on. It is grieving over sin because you love God and care about the effect it has on him.
Psalms 51:17 ▼

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

True repentance is filled with earnestness. This is because we have a feeling of urgency to restore our relationship with God. True repentance knows the seriousness of sin and is eager to deal with it immediately and appropriately according to Biblical instructions. When you are truly repentant, you desire to be known for the righteousness of Christ because you represent Jesus and don't want to bring reproach upon his good name. True repentance is marked by a passion to remove sin from our lives, to make wrongs right, and to change one’s self.

A great example of Godly sorrow leading to repentance would be the story of Peter. When he realized what he had done, he had Godly sorrow for his sin of denying Christ and went out and wept bitterly. He grieved over his sin. Then he went on to become the head of the church.
Luke 22:54-62 ▼

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Godly sorrow pushes you into the loving arms of God. It involves the whole being, intellect, and emotions. It results in change. Godly sorrow has faith in the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice for all sins. It produces life and leads to eternal salvation. It rests in the grace of God. Godly sorrow sincerely desires to return to healthy ways of relating to God and others. However, it doesn't seek to please people. It doesn't hang on to guilt. It doesn't seek perfectionism. It pursues the grace and love and forgiveness of God.
1 John 1:9 ▼

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Godly sorrow allows us to see ourselves and sin the way God sees them. It doesn't produce hopeless condemnation. It leads us away from sin and back into the arms of God to find grace in our time of need.
Romans 8:13-15 ▼

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

With Godly sorrow, there is hope. It produces earnestness, zeal, alarm, a desire to clear yourself, a righteous indignation towards self, a longing to be in God's presence, a readiness to punish wrong, doing what is necessary to make things right, reconciliation of relationships, peace with God, conviction of sin, and confession with true repentance. It leaves no regret. It is only painful for a little while.
Psalms 30:5 ▼

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Godly sorrow is a good thing. It is not something to be avoided. It should be desired and cultivated. Godly sorrow is the type of sorrow God himself feels. It drives us to show grace and mercy to others. It pushes us to God and not away from him.
Psalms 94:14-18 ▼

14 For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17 Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 ▼

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

David displays Godly sorrow in Psalms 51 and demonstrates true repentance.
Psalm 51 ▼

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Godly sorrow always produces a true change of heart (repentance) and leaves no cause for regret. It leaves no reason to hang onto guilt. It is not annoyed with rebuke. It leads to diligence in seeking atonement, clearing one’s self, fear, vehement desire to change, vindication, zeal, resolve, and determination.
Acts 3:19-20 ▼

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

The Kingdom of Heaven

We must be poor in spirit to be eligible for the kingdom of Heaven. We must humble ourselves before Almighty God. We must truly be sorrowful for our sins enough to repent and change our sinful ways. We must desire from the heart to please God. This means everyone who enters Heaven is poor in spirit.
Isaiah 66:2 ▼

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

The kingdom of heaven rejoices when a person repents with Godly sorrow.
Luke 15:7 ▼

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

James 5:19-20 ▼

19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

The following are some character traits of those who are poor in spirit:

✔️They are lowly in their own eyes.
✔️They don't exalt themselves.
✔️They are not proud.
✔️They love to hide good deeds without honor from men.
Matthew 6:1-4 ▼

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

✔️They give their advantages for the benefit of others.
Philippians 2:4 ▼

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

✔️They are reserved in conduct, neither aggressive or demanding.
✔️They don't seek to gain influence with people.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ▼

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

✔️Time is precious to them.
Ephesians 5:16-17 ▼

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

✔️They sanctify themselves.
John 17:19 ▼

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

1 Timothy 4:16 ▼

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

✔️They deny themselves and take up their cross to follow Jesus.
Matthew 16:24 ▼

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

✔️They don't withdraw from the sufferings of Christ.
Romans 8:16-18 ▼

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

✔️They don't discriminate.
Mark 9:35 ▼

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

1 Corinthians 9:19 ▼

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

Romans 12:16 ▼

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

✔️They live their life as a sacrifice.
Mark 10:45 ▼

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

John 15:12-13 ▼

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

✔️They listen to God's voice.
James 1:22 ▼

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The elements of true repentance is recognizing sin and its consequences on others, Godly sorrow, and a change of heart and mind. This results in a changed life. A changed life involves turning from evil, ceasing sin, restitution when possible, fruits of repentance, and a longing for forgiveness.

Psalms 32 speaks in the perfect contrast of Worldly and Godly sorrow. Now that we have studied this subject, why don't you read through this Psalm and see if you can pick out the indicators of Worldly and Godly sorrow.

Psalms 32

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Resources ▼

https://www.gotquestions.org/poor-in-spirit.html

https://activechristianity.org/20-examples-of-what-it-means-to-be-poor-in-spirit...

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-it-mean-to...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_5:3

https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/what-it-means-to-be-poor-in-spirit/

https://www.christianity.com/jesus/life-of-jesus/teaching-and-messages/who-are-t...

https://slidetodoc.com/the-poor-in-spirit-the-sermon-on-the/

https://popscholarblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/01/what-does-it-mean-to-be-poor-in-...

https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Inspirational-DevotionalBlesse...

https://blog.tms.edu/sorrow

https://www.jacobswellnj.org/articles/post/what-sort-of-sorrow-for-sin

https://davidworcester.net/2014/09/14/the-difference-between-godly-sorrow-and-wo...

https://eastmountainvineyard.org/foundational-doctrines-part-3-repentance-godly-...

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/586c240e725e250e1dc73403/t/5ee79e3f6626e8...

https://clarkdgoblewriter.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/godly-sorrow/

https://iliveforjesus.in/godly-sorrow-brings-repentance/

https://jcphilpot.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/godly-sorrow-and-worldly-sorrow/

https://www.purelifeministries.org/blog/recognizing-godly-sorrow-vs-worldly-sorr...

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-it-mean-to-have-godly-sorr...

https://slideplayer.com/slide/9745989/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/3781660/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/3781638/

https://www.slideshare.net/jencorinth/growing-up-going-back-to-christ-church-of-...

https://divinemercy.life/2020/11/05/reflection-311-the-truth-of-humility-2/

https://www.slideshare.net/ricardoazevedo9216/humility-the-first-virtue

https://faithisland.org/faith/the-importance-of-humility/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humility

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-humility.html