A contrite heart is essential for spiritual growth, marking a condition of humility and acceptance that prepares one for God's Kingdom. The contrite enjoy special care from God, who finds pleasure in the humility born from brokenness. God revives the spirit of the humble, providing spiritual life and comfort, much like refreshing rains to a drooping plant. In Isaiah 57:15, God dwells with those whose pride has been crushed, pulverized into humility, reviving their contrite and humble spirit. The term "contrite" signifies a heart or mind crushed by guilt or devastation, often resulting in a state of being bruised yet not disabled, where pride is irreversibly shattered. This crushing does not automatically lead to contrition; it can result in bitterness or genuine contrition. Genuine contrition avoids immobilization or embitterment, characterized by penitence, regret, remorse, repentance, sorrow, apology, and shame. In Psalm 51, David exemplifies this contrite state, pleading for mercy with a crushed heart, making no excuses for his sin, and feeling the weight of guilt. God does not despise a contrite heart but looks upon it with favor, granting blessings. No external offering is acceptable without the deep, sincere repentance of a contrite heart. A contrite person contrasts with the hardhearted, as seen in the differing reactions of David and Saul to correction. David repented with humility, while Saul grew bitter and resentful. God values the humble and contrite, who hear and tremble at His Word, over any material offering. True contrition, often reached through hardship or awareness of sin, strips away pride, leaving a tender heart, as seen in Nebuchadnezzar's transformation after humiliation. Direct encounters with God, like those of Job and Paul, crush pride and deepen awe, leading to repentance and a right attitude. Godly sorrow, tied to contrition, produces repentance and lasting change when sin is seen as against God, unlike worldly sorrow that leads to shame without transformation. In Psalm 38, the psalmist's contrite heart emerges from guilt and suffering, feeling overwhelmed yet waiting in submission for God's reconciliation. God is near to those with a broken heart and saves those with a contrite spirit, as affirmed in Psalm 34:18, offering assurance and presence in trials without conditions.

When considering the heart as depicted in Scripture, it represents the seat of life, emotions, and mind, encompassing all that we are and do. It harbors our thoughts, directs our thinking, and governs our actions and words. The condition of our spiritual heart is of utmost importance because it is the focus of Jesus Christ's examination. He seeks to determine if we are truly converted, aiming for a complete transformation of our nature to reflect Him. A contrite heart is essential in this transformation. It involves deep repentance and humility before God, acknowledging our sins and the attitudes that distance us from Him. Preparing our hearts to serve God requires us to set aside laziness, wrong habits, and anything contrary to the character He desires us to develop. We must direct our hearts to obey only the Lord, serving Him alone with a wholehearted commitment. This preparation is an individual responsibility, not a collective effort. Each of us must personally ensure our heart is right before God, repenting of any hatred, wrong attitudes, laxness in obedience, or competitive spirits. Only through such a contrite and prepared heart can we beseech God to accept us again as His obedient children. As we humble ourselves and align our hearts with His will, we open the way for His mercy and forgiveness, knowing that when our heart is right before Him, He is completely on our side.

Humility, as a vital element in living by faith, stands in stark contrast to the pride that naturally resides within us due to exposure to satan and the influences of this world. Unlike pride, humility is not innate but must be deliberately cultivated and added to our character through God's Spirit and our conscious decisions to submit to Him out of love and a desire to glorify Him. This created attribute enables us to grow stronger in overcoming the evil influences of pride. True humility is not a weak or cringing approach to life but a deliberate control of power to achieve a greater good. It emerges when a person adopts a servant attitude rather than a proud, carnal, ruler-like approach, promoting good relationships by neutralizing pride and its potential damage. At its core, humility reflects a genuine self-evaluation where one deems himself worthless in relation to God and His truth, recognizing complete dependence on Him for every breath and all spiritual good. God openly expresses His pleasure in those who humble themselves before Him, as it glorifies Him through their way of life and brings great reward to them. Humility is a key to obtaining salvation by grace through faith and is essential for obedience and growth in God's way of life. As illustrated in Micah, humility is more valuable to God than any material offering, paving the way for a good relationship with Him through righteous fairness, willing kindness to others, and living in conscious fellowship with His greatness and sovereignty. God's favorable response to humility is evident in His promise of forgiveness and the hearing of prayers to those who humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from wicked ways. Additionally, as seen in Solomon's life, when one humbly seeks to honor God, He rewards with wisdom, riches, and honor beyond what was asked. Humility, though difficult to accomplish due to human nature's resistance, remains a crucial quality, supported by a constant awareness of the need to glorify God.