None of the beatitudes are natural tendencies. They do not exist in the heart of the natural man, nor are they even possible in people who have not been born again. Part of this misunderstanding stems from not understanding the Beatitudes themselves. They may assume that poverty of spirit means to sympathize with the poor or to mourn means to be sorrowful when someone dies, but even people who reject God do those things, and they do not possess the blessings attached to each of the beatitudes. The beatitudes go much deeper than natural behavior.
The beatitudes are essential to the Christian life, but many people have not taken the time to understand them properly. There are many Christians who have misconceptions about what they are and what they mean. Here are five mistakes people make in understanding the Beatitudes.
1. They assume the beatitudes are something only notable Christians possess.
The beatitudes are not something set aside for some unique category of Christians. They are something every Christian should possess. We do not do these things to be saved; we are this way because we are saved. The beatitudes are the products of the grace of God in our lives. None of us indeed possess them perfectly, and we should all desire to grow in them, but if we do not have at all, that should be a serious warning to us.
2. Like spiritual gifts, they assume each Christians will only have one or two of the Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes are not like spiritual gifts. One Christian does not get poverty of spirit while another has hungering for righteousness.
