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Do you want to be poor in spirit? Probably not. Never mind that Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). To be poor in spirit is to realize Christ is our only hope, that we are completely dependent on Him. Jesus told a story about a self-righteous Pharisee and a crooked tax collector that illustrates this truth.
“The Pharisee prayed, ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like…that tax collector! The tax collector beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ Jesus said, I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
— Luke 18:13-14 (NLT)
Lord, be merciful and deliver us from self-righteousness. Amen.