Nine Blessed Attitudes
Matthew 5:1-12 (Amplified Bible)
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His [a]disciples
came to Him. 2 Then He began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual
arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now
and forever].
4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for
they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].
5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted,
the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
[those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity,
moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for
they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.
10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that
which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when
people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your
association with] Me.
12 Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in
this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed before God and blessed by God
God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). He is drawn towards a heart that has certain
attitudes. The Lord Jesus gives us nine heart conditions (attitudes) that before God are
favorable and which God blesses. Some of these heart attitudes may go against our
natural grain - the way the world thinks - but before God is of great value.
www.apcwo.org / contact@apcwo.org 2 All Peoples Church & World Outreach, Bangalore, India
We are called to walk with these heart attitudes all the time, in every situation.
Do you want to walk in favor before God, in a place where God can release blessing -
walk with these heart attitudes. We call them "blessed attitudes".
#1, Poor in spirit
3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual
arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now
and forever].
To see yourself as "poor", someone in "poverty" in the spirit.
We know who we are in Christ - we have everything in the spiritual realm.
Yet, the attitude of our hearts is one of being in a state of need, of being laid low, one
that is void of any pride, arrogance, simplicity and self-sufficiency.
There are several keys that the Lord Jesus has revealed to experiencing the Kingdom of
heaven. One of them is learning to be poor in spirit. Those who walk with this heart
attitude are the ones who are going to experience the Kingdom and all that it has.
Matthew 18:3-4
3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by
no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3-4 sheds more light here if we see the parallel of being "poor in spirit" to
being "childlike". The simplicity, the innocence, the dependence, the weakness seen in
childlikeness - is what we are to maintain as our heart attitude, in order to enter and
experience the Kingdom of heaven.
#2, A broken spirit
4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for
they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].
A heart that is easily moved with compassion, a heart that that grieves over those who
suffer, a heart that is grieved over sin and injustice, a heart that is grieved with what
grieves the heart of God.
When we mourn, when we feel broken and grieved over what grieves the heart of God,
the Spirit of Grace comes upon us. He empowers us. Most often, we are empowered to
make a difference in what really breaks our heart, simply because, it is in these
moments and in these areas that we receive God's grace.
www.apcwo.org / contact@apcwo.org 3 All Peoples Church & World Outreach, Bangalore, India
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
#3, A gentle spirit
5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted,
the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
Similarly God is drawn to those who walk in meekness, gentleness, kindness and those
who walk with self-control.
The promise here is quite amazing: "...they will inherit the earth".
This is quite different from what the world thinks. In the world, we think we have to be
aggressive, dominating, pushy, and somehow force our way to grab anything and
everything we can.
God sees things differently:
Psalm 37:10-11
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
When we walk with humility, God draws near to us and empowers us with His grace. he
exalts us in due time.
1 Peter 5:5-6
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one
another, and be clothed with humility, for "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE
HUMBLE."
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
Although the following verse is a specific exhortation to women, remember that the
condition of the heart is gender-neutral, and hence we can all apply this:
1 Peter 3:4
rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God.
A gentle and quiet spirit is something God Himself treasures!
#4, A hungry spirit
6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
[those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
God responds to the hunger, the cry, the pull of your spirit for things that are right and
He satisfies us with what we are longing for.
www.apcwo.org / contact@apcwo.org 4 All Peoples Church & World Outreach, Bangalore, India
The key to having more of the things of God is to first of all hunger and thirst for those
things - to have a pull in your spirit, a longing and a craving for those things.
Only when there is hunger and thirst for more, with a sense of desperation - "if I don't
get it, I may die", " my life depends on this", that God responds and satisfies.
The casual wish, or nice to have approach, does not move God.
God is looking for a holy desperation in us for the things He has. He responds to that cry
of desperation.
This cry of desperation, this hunger and thirst, propels us into action. We pray more
than the norm, we seek Him more than what is easy. We are willing to do what is
uncomfortable, in order to receive what we so desperately desire.
#5, A merciful spirit
7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Having a heart that is ready to forgive, to extend mercy, to release people from their
indebtedness, from wrongdoing - is another heart attitude that finds favor in God's
eyes.
When we extend mercy, it positions us to receive mercy.
Jesus taught us to forgive others, even as we have received forgiveness from God.
#6, A pure spirit
8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity,
moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
Purity of heart - a heart that is clean, godly, without evil intent, that desires truth.
Jesus spoke of Nathaneal and called him a man "..in whom is no deceit!" (John 1:47). A man
who had no evil, nothing false in him.
Psalm 51:6 tells us "..You desire truth in the inward parts,.."
One of the important things to do, is to daily go before God and ask Him to check your
heart, check your motives, you attitudes, and see if your heart is clean - free from
anything that is evil. A heart free from anger, hatred, pride, jealousy, lust, evil intent,
cunning, deceit, etc.
www.apcwo.org / contact@apcwo.org 5 All Peoples Church & World Outreach, Bangalore, India
The blessing is ".....they will see God".
Our revelation of God is determined by the condition of our heart.
If our heart is clean, we will have a clearer understanding of who He is.
Otherwise our understanding of God gets tainted by the condition of our heart.
#7, A peaceful spirit
9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for
they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.
When we walk with a peaceful spirit, we will work towards peace. We are quick to
resolve conflicts, let go of hostility and other things that breakdown relationship.
Those who walk with a peaceful spirit are those who walk truly as "sons of God" - as
those who are the offspring of God, as those who represent God on earth.
Walking in peace is a key to manifesting our sonship, that we are indeed partakes of
divine nature.
Walking in peace is a key to walking in dominion.
Romans 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
#8, A strong spirit
10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that
which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
Here then is another key to experiencing the Kingdom - having a strong, enduring spirit,
that holds on to what is right and does not give up even when persecuted.
We walk with strength of conviction, and with endurance. We refuse to give up, give in
and recant on our faith and conviction, even when there is a price to pay, pain to
endure, sacrifice to make and our own life at stake.
#9, A faithful spirit
11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when
people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your
association with] Me.
12 Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in
this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
www.apcwo.org / contact@apcwo.org 6 All Peoples Church & World Outreach, Bangalore, India
In addition to being strong, Jesus calls us to be faithful to Him and His name. When we
stand faithful to His name, willing to suffer all kinds of evil done to us because we bear
His name, He says, that such a faithful spirit is blessed in His eyes.
Application
Can we examine our heart condition, our heart attitudes?
The Lord Jesus has given to us very clearly nine heart attitudes, He calls blessed,
acceptable and favorable in His sight.
Let us welcome the work of His Holy Spirit to change our hearts and empower us to walk
in these heart attitudes, these nine blessed attitudes.
<a href="https://clients.domainking.ng/aff.php?aff=1998&p=web-hosting" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.domainking.ng/media/dkng-web-hosting-offer.png" width="300" height="250" border="0" alt="Reliable Web Hosting in Nigeria by DomainKing.NG"></a>
<a href="https://clients.domainking.ng/aff.php?aff=1998&p=domain-registration" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.domainking.ng/media/dkng-badge.gif" width="200" height="50" border="0" alt="For Registering Domain Names, I trust DomainKing.NG"></a>
<a href="https://clients.domainking.ng/aff.php?aff=1998&p=web-hosting" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.domainking.ng/media/dkng-web-hosting-offer-wide.png" width="728" height="90" border="0" alt="Reliable Web Hosting in Nigeria by DomainKing.NG"></
a>
<a href="http://www.travelstart.com.ng?affId=212368&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=212368">
<a href="https://clients.domainking.ng/aff.php?aff=1998&p=web-hosting" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.domainking.ng/media/dkng-web-hosting-offer-wide.png" width="728" height="90" border="0" alt="Reliable Web Hosting in Nigeria by DomainKing.NG"></
a>
<a href="http://www.travelstart.com.ng?affId=212368&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=212368">
<iframe src="https://paxful.com/roots/buy-bitcoin/index?affiliate=MmKdX464dwo" frameborder="0" style="overflow:hidden;height:500;width:250" width="250" height="500"></iframe>
<a href="http://www.travelstart.com.ng?affId=212368&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=212368">
<img src="http://www.travelstart.co.za/common/ver3/travelstart/ZA/sprite/img/icon_sprite.png" alt="Travelstart Banner" />
</a>
0 comments:
Post a Comment