A GOOD BROKEN SPIRIT

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

What is a good broken spirit?

A good broken spirit is a proud spirit humbled.
God takes it upon Himself to humble the proud.
He is the author of a broken, contrite spirit.
And I will break the pride of your power... (Leviticus 26:19,20)
When God humbles the proud He works within them a broken, contrite spirit.
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways
judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. (Daniel 4:37)

What is the difference between a proud spirit and a broken spirit?

A proud spirit moves without God.
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me... (2 Samuel 3:39)
A broken spirit walks "softly" before God.
What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of
my soul. (Isaiah 38:15)
softly > Hebrew - dadah > move slowly, walk deliberately

A proud spirit is forward to act.

A proud spirit does not wait to be permitted.

A proud spirit is forward to speak its mind.

A proud spirit does not wait to be instructed.

A proud spirit is forward to lift itself up.

A proud spirit does not wait to be promoted.

If God does not break the hasty spirit in a proud person there is no hope for them to act otherwise.
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. (Proverbs 29:20)

1. A PROUD SPIRIT is SELF-WILLED

A proud spirit does not recognize the Lord's authority to direct their affairs.
And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I
let Israel go. (Exodus 5:2)
A proud spirit does not wait for God to give them a "green light" to go, they move without seeking input from God.
Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? (Job 21:14,15)

A proud spirit is headstrong and stubborn, determined to do what they want to do regardless of Gods red light
telling them to stop.
And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go
up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned. (Numbers 14:40)
A proud spirit becomes frustrated and angry when their way is blocked and their will is crossed.
And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaams anger was kindled, and he
smote the ass with a staff. (Numbers 22:27)
A proud spirit does not want God or godly people to stop them from going down the path of their own choosing.
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things,
prophesy deceits:
Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. (Isaiah
30:9-11)
A proud spirit submits to authority only because they fear the consequences of disobedience.
It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou
heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. (Genesis 31:29)
A proud spirit knows nothing of Gods will and even less of His timing.
They implement their own plans as soon as they can.
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it
is in the power of their hand. (Micah 2:1)
A proud spirit needs nothing other than power and opportunity in order to act.
Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest. (Jeremiah 3:5)

What we could do is not always what we should do.

What Happens When a Proud Spirit is BROKEN of SELF-WILL?
They turn over the "throne" of their life to the Lord and recognize and respect His authority to rule.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
They proceed softly in dependence on the direction of God.
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against
the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him,
Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:5,6)
They present their power (i.e., all they could do) to God.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

They earnestly seek to understand Gods will for their life because they want to to do it.
They earnestly seek to understand Gods way for their life because they want to to walk in it.
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should
walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me
to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalm 143:8-10)
They defer to God as their final authority in all matters, always praying that His will rather than their own be
done.
... Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42)
They submit to God and His will for them, not out of fear, but because they love and respect Him.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3)
They are content to wait for Gods timing even when they know His will.
But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
My times are in thy hand... (Psalm 31:14,15)
Their power and will is not the source of their movement.
They become like Jesus who did nothing of Himself.
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he
seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19)
They act not because they have the power to do something, but because they have the permission to do so.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

2. A PROUD SPIRIT is SELF-CONFIDENT

Pride causes us to think we are wise when we are not.
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:21)
When we think we're smart, we're at our most foolish.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. (1 Corinthians 8:2)
The proud won't listen to others, because they think they already know the right way.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15)
The proud trust in the wisdom of their own heart.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)
Wisdom is not something we naturally possess, we must ask for it daily.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. (Proverbs 8:34)

The proud lean to their own understanding instead of getting God's instruction and direction.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
A mind hardened in pride will not be instructed or corrected by others.
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took
his glory from him (Daniel 5:20)
Pride keeps us from seeking God for wisdom and understanding.
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Psalm 10:4)
The highminded are not afraid to speak their own harsh and hasty opinions.
Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (2 Peter 2:10)
The proud are quick to speak whatever enters their mind.
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. (Proverbs 29:11)
While a wise man waits for the appropriate time to share his knowledge, a fool is quick to share his ignorance.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. (Proverbs 12:23)
Even though one could say something, wisdom teaches us if and when we should say it.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. (Proverbs 15:2)
While a wise man moves cautiously, a proud man races self-confidently into trouble.
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. (Proverbs 14:16)
rageth > Hebrew > abar - passes over

What Happens When a Proud Spirit is BROKEN of SELF-CONFIDENCE?

There is a new humbleness of mind.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering (Colossians 3:12)
They no longer rely on their own faculties to understand a matter.
...And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears (Isaiah 11:3)
They fear to speak their own mind about a matter.
Be not highminded, but fear... (Romans 11:20)
They seek to see nothing and hear nothing, except what God shows and tells them.
Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the
LORDS servant? (Isaiah 42:19)

Their ears are big and their mouth is small.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (James 1:19)
They allow the Holy Spirit to set a watch at their mouth gate.
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. ( 141:3)
They become sensitive to the "check" of God in their spirit.
I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer. (Job 20:3)
They give God time to work in their heart before speaking.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. (Proverbs 16:1)
They carefully weigh before God what they should say before they speak.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. (Proverbs 15:28)
They treasure quietness of spirit, because quietness without starts with quietness within.
And that ye study to be quiet... (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for
me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
(Psalm 131:1,2)
They wait on God to give them a timely word for others.
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is
weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (Isaiah 50:4)
They become like Jesus who said nothing of Himself.
I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (John 8:28)

3. A PROUD SPIRIT is SELF-PROMOTING

The path to self-promotion begins with a recognition of ones own beauty, ability or talent.
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast
thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. (Ezekiel 28:17)
A proud spirit is overeager for honor.
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also
upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:13,14)
A proud spirit disregards God's will for their life and moves to fulfill their own dreams and ambitions.
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen,
and fifty men to run before him. (1 Kings 1:5)

A proud spirit will not wait for God's promotion.

Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down
one, and setteth up another. (Psalm 75:5-7)
A proud spirit fails to appreciate that anything truly good in their life is God's gift to them.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
A proud spirit fails to give to God the proper acknowledgment His goodness to them deserves.
In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there
was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart... (2 Chronicles 32:24-26)
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9,10)
A proud spirit gives himself the credit for the good things he has.
Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes,
which I command thee this day:
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt,
from the house of bondage;
Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where
there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might
prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth... (Deuteronomy 8:11-18)
A proud spirit openly (or secretly) glories in what makes them superior to others.
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst
receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
In order to get confirmation, a proud spirit places on display those things it wants others to see.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is
in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men... (Matthew 6:1,2)
A proud spirit watches others watch them.
Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton
eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet (Isaiah 3:16)
A proud spirit loves the praise of men, rather than the praise of God.
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:43)

Without godly discernment, discretion or direction, a proud spirit reveals to an improper audience the good or
beautiful things God has given them to scratch a subtle "itch" for man's praise.
At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had
heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the
spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was
nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. (2 Kings 20:12,13)

What Happens When a Proud Spirit is BROKEN of SELF-PROMOTION?

They recognize they are nothing without the Lord.
...Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. (Psalm 39:5)
Their great joy is for Jesus Christ to be honored and praised.
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth
greatly because of the bridegrooms voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:29,30)
They want Christ and His work to be magnified in men's eyes.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be
magnified. (Psalm 40:16)
They want the name of Jesus, not their own name, to be known and praised.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truths sake. (Psalm 115:1)
Especially when they "shine," they want no praise.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)
They avoid the snare of self-admiration.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth (Matthew 6:3)
They confess that any thing of value they offer to God is only what He has first given to them.
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the
heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it
is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of
thee, and of thine own have we given thee. (1 Chronicles 29:11-14)
They leave the assessment of all their labor to God's future judgment.
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9,10)

They are careful not to bring premature attention to the gifts God has given them.
...Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
And charged them that they should not make him known:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him,
and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (Matthew 12:15-19)
They reveal God's secret working in them according to His timing.
Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand.
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou
doest.
For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these
things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.
Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. (John 7:2-6)
They have godliness with contentment until God is ready to set them forth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. (Luke 1:80)
They let God choose how Christ will be magnified in their life.
...So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20,21)
Compared to knowing Christ, they count the highest public accolade to be "dung."
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:8)
They commit all their desires into God's hand and trust He will bring them to pass in His way and in His time.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:4,5)
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time... (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5:6)

Did Jesus have a broken spirit?

Jesus did not have a broken spirit because there was no pride in Him needing to be broken.
The spirit of Jesus was humble and contrite in heaven before He came to the earth.
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with
him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite
ones. (Isaiah 57:15)