Four steps to a solid foundation

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” is foundational to every beatitude that follows. If we do not admit our need of God, we will not obey the words that his Son gave us.

So, let’s take a look at four practical steps we can take to better embrace the mindset of the poor in spirit.

1. Submit to the power of the Holy Spirit.

God’s word commands us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Begin each day with this commitment. Ask the Lord to bring to mind anything in your life that is hindering his Spirit, then confess what comes to your thoughts. Pray through your plans for the day, asking the Spirit to take control of them. 

Then walk into the day believing that you are “filled” with the Spirit. 

The single most important decision culture-changing Christians can make is to be filled with the Spirit each and every day.

2. Measure success spiritually.

Unlike Jesus’ culture and ours, the Lord knows that material success is fleeting but spiritual success is eternal. He knows that our souls outlive our bodies, that eternity is longer than today, that heaven is more important than earth. He calls us to measure success by his definitions, not ours.

Determine success by the degree to which God uses you today. Look for work only his Spirit can perform. Seek ways to join him at work in circumstances and in the lives of others. Value the eternal over the temporal, the relational over the material, and that which glorifies God over that which glorifies us.

3. Measure spirituality by dependence on God.

The more we are “poor in spirit”—the more we admit our desperation for God’s wisdom, direction, healing, forgiveness, and grace—the more we will have what we need. Reject the cultural lie that you can do anything if you’ll only get up earlier, stay up later, work longer, and try harder.

Instead, allow God to direct your time and efforts in a way that maximizes your impact for the kingdom without depleting you in the process.

4. Measure dependence by obedience.

When we are truly “poor in spirit,” we will do the will of God at any cost. Obedience to his commands will become the only food that truly satisfies our souls and the lens through which we perceive every choice we make. 

Then we will advance the kingdom of God and make Christ our King.

Now, pray through each of the four steps, asking God for his help in the areas in which you most struggle.