Don Fortner contrasts contemporary self-esteem theology with biblical Christianity's emphasis on brokenness and contrition. Citing Psalm 34:18 and Isaiah 66:2, Fortner argues that God looks favorably upon those with broken hearts and contrite spirits, yet modern preaching exalts human dignity and self-worth rather than God's supremacy and holiness. True salvation requires the heart to be thoroughly broken before God through encountering Christ's crucified majesty, as exemplified by Job's transformation from self-vindication to self-loathing and repentance when confronted with God's glory (Psalm 51:17).
What does the Bible say about a broken heart?
The Bible teaches that the Lord is close to those with a broken heart and saves those with a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17
How do we know the concept of brokenness is important for Christians?
Brokenness is crucial for Christians as it leads to true humility and reliance on God's grace.
Isaiah 66:2, Job 42:6
Why is contrition important for salvation?
Contrition, or a deeply felt remorse for sin, is essential for salvation as it leads to genuine repentance.
Job 42:6, Psalm 51:17
"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." - Psalm 34:18
A broken heart, a contrite spirit, and a subdued will are rare things, especially in this age in which men everywhere are taught to demand their rights; and the church has become a place where man is exalted and enshrined as though he were God. Self-esteem, self-worth, and self-promotion is the cry of the day. Every man does that which is right in his own eyes. All men by nature are exceedingly proud, selfish people.
Preachers today, knowing man's natural pride, have capitalized upon it. They have developed a flesh-pleasing theology of pride. Our forefathers exalted the dignity, the majesty, and the supremacy of the eternal God. But the smooth-tongued preachers of deceit in our day have set themselves to exalt the dignity, majesty, and supremacy of puny man! It seems that religion today is dedicated not to the honor of God, but to the honor of man. Its purpose is to make man feel good about himself. Therefore we hear little about . . .
brokenness of heart,
contrition of the soul, and
the subduing of man's will.
The Lord God declares, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My Word!" (Isaiah 66:2). God will have broken hearts with which to build His kingdom. Sooner or later, the Lord God will bring us to nothingness before His presence. God's people, all of God's people are a broken people.
No man has ever experienced the grace of God in salvation, until his heart is thoroughly broken before the holy Lord God, revealed in the crucified Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. If ever a man finds out:
who he is,
who God is,
who the Lord Jesus Christ is,
and what He has done for sinners
— he will be a broken man!
When Job saw himself in the presence of his three miserable friends, he vindicated himself. But when he stood in the presence of God, he was a broken man; and he spoke as a broken man. He saw himself in all the hideousness of his sin; and he saw God in all the holiness of His glorious majesty. Then he said, "Behold I am vile! I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes!" There is no pride and egotism here, no haughtiness, no self-vindication. Once Job had seen the Lord — he was broken, he loathed himself and blamed himself. Once Job saw the Lord — he honored God and vindicated Him. The truly broken heart will always vindicate God, no matter the cost.
This brokenness can be produced in proud, stubborn, sinful men and women — only by the saving revelation of Christ in our hearts. Brokenness is found at the cross — only at the cross. Have you been to the cross? Have you had the crucified Christ revealed in your heart? Has your heart been broken by the knowledge of the Lord? O Lord, evermore break our hearts before You!
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." - Psalm 51:17
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