(right click to download)

Poor In Spirit – A Correct Understanding of Being Lost

by Brent Riggs – www.seriousfaith.com

 “Poor in spirit” is genuine humility produced from a correct understanding of our predicament and need; a person who rightly understands his dilemma and understands his need for help or rescuing

“Poor in spirit” is from the Greek word:  Ptochoswhich means poor and __________________

A Christian’s spiritual maturity is directly proportionate to two things:

• Our understanding of _____________ and our dependence on Him
• Our understanding of _____________ and our potential to deceive
  ourselves about it

What effect does being “poor in spirit” have on us?

• A right knowledge of   ___________________________________
• A right knowledge of   ___________________________________

Being “poor in spirit” is not:

• An outward appearance of ___________________  or sadness for all to see and not necessarily a state of poverty

The Result of Being Poor in Spirit

How can this understanding of “poor in spirit” change lives and change YOUR life?

• Reward of Heaven
• Focus on God
• Mortification
• Deeper Prayer
• Denial of Self
• Attitude and Behavior

Understanding our dependence on God, and total helplessness apart from Him should change our attitude:

•    Complaining: what is there to complain about?  God has saved you, forgiven you.  show our selfishness
•    Critical spirit: what do you have to be critical about?  Others are just as helpless as you.
•    Patience: we are all equally helpless.  We should graciously exercise the same patience with others as God as shown to us.
•    Compassion: God chose us, drew us, saved us.  We had no hope, facing eternal death and punishment.
•    Forgiveness: The next time you hold unforgiveness for even a moment, remember what God forgave you of… and what he continually forgives you for each day.
•    Optimism: We should begin to cultivate a practice of seeing the good in others and in our circumstances.
•    Serving heart: our lives should transform into loving, caring, serving, and preferring others over ourselves.
•    Praise & thanksgiving: should not the ultimate gift produce the ultimate “thank you”?

For discussion in your own family or Bible Study:

• What truth about being “poor in spirit” stands out to you the most?
• Do you ever see someone and think they are worthless, not worth your time, effort or energy? How does this violate the truth about “poor in spirit”?
• In today’s atmosphere of being “positive” and presenting a feature-rich, “Jesus will improve your life” Gospel message, does the right teaching about “poor in spirit” fit in? Should “poor in spirit” be preached, or will this drive people away from wanting to respond to Christ?

Private Contemplation:

• Has your Christianity truly changed your behavior in any way?
• Do you really believe you are totally helpless and can’t do anything to merit salvation?