Teachable?

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:1

This verse has been translated in numerous ways, some ridiculous while others are just short of biblical brilliance. Of course, I will share what I think is the biblically brilliant rendering and see how it applies to our lives.
Blessed: Some will translate this word as “happy”, but it carries more of the idea of being favored, fortunate, and prosperous in conjunction with living a life of obedience to the Lord. Those who do the word of God are favored by God, which could result in being happy, fortunate and prosperous.  

 Poor in spirit: Those who are not “spiritually arrogant”. The spiritual “know it all’s!” Now there is a huge difference between those who actually do know a great amount of things and those who pride themselves in the knowledge that they do know. But let’s make it a bit more personal. There is also a difference between head knowledge and experiential knowledge, meaning I can read something, hear something or think about something but only have it in theory hovering inside my head. Experiential knowledge means that I have engaged with this thought or teaching and have implemented it into my life. I have “done the word” verses just hearing it, “checking the box” and filing it away. One can lead us towards a heart-set of pride, while the other can lead us towards victory, healing, power, blessing etc.

To be spiritual arrogant can sound and look like the following: (I have firsthand knowledge because I am taking these from my own vocabulary) “Oh, I have heard this before”; “I know this already”, “I can teach this stuff”, “I learned that a long time ago”, “I took a class on this”, “this is boring” etc... It can translate to you not thinking you need to have a formal quiet time, to not needing to go to church or small group every week, you just stand during the worship time, but not sing because it isn’t your style of song, or maybe you don’t respond to the message or invitation because you have that “wired” already or that you above such a response. Bottom line, when you resist the Holy Spirit, or when your head knowledge doesn’t translate into a holy life action it could indicate spiritual arrogance.  James states it well, the one who knows the right thing to do and doesn’t do it, to that person it is sin.  James 4:17. You may be reading this and saying to yourself, “I know this already” guess what? Yep, you are not “poor in spirit”.

Questions to consider:
·        Am I teachable even on the simplest of truths?
·        Am I living what I know?
·        Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness? Matt. 5:6
·        Am I pure in heart? Matt. 5:8

Steps to take:

·        Ask the Lord to search your heart in order to reveal any spiritual arrogance
·        Repent of what He reveals to you
·        Recalibrate the areas or disciplines you have drifted from
·        Reengage with your “first love”. (See Rev. 3:15-22)
·        Receive the love, grace and “blessing” of the Lord