A More Excellent Way

Reference found in I Corinthians 12:31

Scripture: Psalm 51: 16-17

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

A broken spirit, as described in religious contexts, is a state of humility and surrender before God. It is characterized by a lack of self-importance, arrogance, or self-righteousness[1][2]. This concept is often associated with the idea that God values internal attitudes over external religious observances[1]. A broken spirit is seen as perceptive and flexible, evaluating circumstances in relation to God rather than through human reasoning[3]. It is considered a positive attribute that develops over time, leading to a sweet and lovable demeanor in some elderly individuals[4]. Religious texts suggest that only God can mend a broken spirit, which is described as a deeply traumatic condition stemming from a broken heart[5]. Some spiritual leaders view a broken spirit as essential for spiritual growth and divine favor[1][2].

A Broken Spirit You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16–17 Through his own personal agony, David has come to a new understanding of what it is that God really requires from man…

A broken spirit is more perceptive, because a broken spirit does not evaluate circumstances by a reasoning process. A broken spirit evaluates everything in its relationship to the Lord. If you do not have a broken spirit, you evaluate every circumstance, wondering, “Who’s to blame…

Jesus said it. Therefore, we believe it with all of our heart.” A broken spirit is what God intends to bring forth. Fall on the Lord and be broken in spirit. Fall on the Lord and see what He will do for you…

That is why a broken spirit is the acceptable sacrifice to God. We bring our brokenness, sorrow, distress, anger, impatience—all our experiences of being battered by events in our lives—and offer them to the Spirit. 

What does a broken spirit do? In the midst of difficult experiences and harassing circumstances, a broken spirit worships the Lord and becomes like Job, truly fruitful (Job 1:20–22; 42:10–17). The question “Can a nation be born in a day?” was asked about those with whom God dwelt—who were humble and broken and contrite in heart (Isaiah 66:1–8)…

Contrite Spirit

The term is rooted in Hebrew words that convey the idea of being "bruised" or "smitten." The article highlights that contrition is not merely an emotional state but is linked to the theological understanding of repentance, which consists of two parts: contrition and faith. This grief over sin arises from the preaching of the law, and while the experience of contrition may vary among individuals, the promise of forgiveness is based solely on Christ's merit, rather than the intensity of one's contrition. Ultimately, contrition is seen as a necessary aspect of faith and the desire to overcome sin with divine assistance.

Luke 7: The Unnamed Woman-Alabaster Flask

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.Luke 7:37And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,Luke 7:38and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.Luke 7:39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”Luke 7:40And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

He tells him a parable recognizing that he is not able to understand a more excellent way because of one thing: Unbelief-He is self-righteous and caught up in religious affairs, not believing that the WORD (John 14:6) is standing before him. He is more concerned with the appearance and reputation of the unnamed woman that he does not recognize the broken spirit and the contrite heart that is on display. He can see it and he can’t hear Jesus.

Jesus must break it down for him like a 2-year old using a parable. He shows the scripture “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”. . .

English Standard Version Chapter 1

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Culture- moved by the hand of the enemy, the atmosphere is one that is full of criticism and accusation. That spirit is directly from the devil, “the accuser of the brothers (Revelation 12:10) and he does it “day and night.” as the scripture says. This is what we are seeing everywhere.

The Church -more concerned with protocol, position, doctrine, paying attention to dry bones, appearance (BALANCE)

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13 “

My Testimony