404 The Spiritual Man
down in the Word. We shall shortly see how it is to be controlled by
the renewed will of the believer. This is a principle of great
consequence, for by the will one is able to set his spirit in its proper
place.
A Contrite Spirit
“Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and
saveth such as are o f a contrite spirit” (Ps. 34.18 ASV).
“For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity,
whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also
with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Is. 57.15).God’s people often erroneously think that they need a contrite
spirit only at the time they repent and believe in the Lord or
whenever they subsequently fall into sin. We should know, however,
that God wishes us to keep our spirit in a state of contrition at all
times. Although we do not daily sin we are nonetheless required by
Him to be of humble spirit constantly, because our flesh still exists
and may be stirred up at any moment. Such contrition precludes our
losing watchfulness. We ought never sin; yet we always should have
sorrow for sin. The presence of God is felt in such a spirit.
God takes no pleasure in our repenting over and over again as
though this were sufficient; rather does He wish us to live in
perpetual contrition. Only a spirit of this kind can equip us to detect
and mourn immediately all disharmony with the Holy Spirit present
in our conduct and deeds. It also helps us to acknowledge our faults
when told of them. This penitent spirit is very necessary, for despite
the fact a person has been joined to the Lord to be one spirit, he is not
forever afterwards infallible. The spirit can err (Is. 29.24); even if it
has not erred, the mind can be so confused as to paralyze it from
executing the thought of the spirit. A contrite inner life helps one to
confess instantly and to not hide those little points others have
noticed in him as being unlike the Lord. God saves those who