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Marks of Spiritual Brokenness

“I saw all the devils’ traps set upon the earth. I 

 groaned and said, ‘Who can pass through them?’  And I heard a voice saying: ‘Humility.’” (St. Anthony)

Questions to Ask to Measure our Brokenness

Humility is often difficult to value because pride – and its destructiveness – is so

difficult to see.

What would you do if...

1. You heard something negative about another person or ministry that you secretly

distrusted?2. Your gifts and talents are continuously overlooked in the group you are a part of?

3. You are given a chance to promote a rival ministry in an opportunity you really wanted?

4. You sense tension in a relationship, but don’t know why it’s there?5. Someone younger than you, less talented, less experienced and less mature, is placed over 

you in a leadership position. Especially if they think they are more talented and mature than

they really are.6. You are a part of a problem-solving group dealing with an issue that is in your primary area

of expertise, but you are not chairing the group.

7. Someone in authority corrects you?8. Somebody under your authority corrects you?9. You begin to have questions about the direction the organization or the church of which

you are a part is taking?

10. Someone criticizes your work after you put an enormous amount of effort into it?11. Someone is brought into your organization who obviously has more talent in your area

that you do?

12. You are in leadership and you are challenged by some of your followers?13. You find yourself rejected or criticized and you sense an acute need for affirmation?

14. You know you’ve said or done something that has offended another person?

15. You’re asked to do something you are not gifted to do and you have no desire to do?

16. Someone greatly offends you, then comes to you asking for forgiveness, and you knowthat to forgive them would mean that they won’t suffer any consequences for the hurt they've

 brought you?

17. Your child does something that really embarrasses you in front of those you most

want to impress?18. Your staff member/employee does something that embarrasses you or severely handicapsyour ability to accomplish your goals?

19. You are angrily rebuked for reasons you can’t understand?

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20. Someone questions your judgment?

21. A close associate of yours finds himself attracted to another ministry?

22. Someone teaches something you disagree with?

The Essence of Humility

  Humility goes by many words; meekness, gentleness, brokenness.

  But spiritual brokenness has little to do with the idea of being grieved,

sorrowful, or down in the dumps.

  Meekness has nothing to with weakness. Rather, it points to the individual

who does not seek control.

  This idea of brokenness hits the bulls-eye: the person who strives to control

nothing but himself.

   Numbers 12:3 says that Moses was meek above all men.

  Proverbs 25:9 says, “The meek will He guide in judgment and the meek will Heteach His way.”

  Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”

Key Quote: “Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other 

 people; nor does it mean having a low opinion of your gifts. It means freedom

from thinking about yourself one way or the other at all!” (William Temple , Christ 

in His Church)

Marks of Spiritual Brokenness

(1)  The broken person is easily correctable.

1.1  In fact, the broken person actively seeks correction (Proverbs 3:11-12).

He does not stiffen when reproved, is not quick to jump to his defense.

The manner of his voice, his body language, and his sweetness of spirit

express an appetite for adjustment.

1.2  The Lord through Jeremiah makes a startling pronouncement: “In vain I

have struck down your sons, you did not accept correction: Your sword

devoured your prophets like a destructive lion.” ( Jeremiah 2:30) 

1.3  “Happy is the man whom God corrects; do not despise the chastening of 

the Almighty.” ( Job 5:17) 

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1.4 “Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted…She has not obeyed His

voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the Lord,

 she has not drawn near to God.”  ( Zephaniah 3:2) 

   Notice the progression here: Our willingness to obey is measures byour openness to correction. If it is hard for us to trust the Lord,

 perhaps it is because we have not cultivated an appetite for 

correction. Over time, we lose our appetite to be close to God. 

  Remedy? Seize your next corrections from others. 

1.5 “Her princes are…roaring lions, her judges, evening wolves; her 

 prophets are insolent…her priests have polluted the sanctuary.”  

( Zephaniah 3:3)