Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION

Last week we considered three of the graces of the fruit of the Spirit kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. We learnt that these graces were all part of God nature. We concluded that our hearts should match our actions; and that God is just as concerned about our heart as He is our actions. Today we shall be considering the first of the last two - Meekness.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle, (humble or meek) [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.” [AMP] Emphasis mine

MEEKNESS DEFINED

Meekness has been defined as power under control. A strong but gentle, reverent, and humble spirit of selfless devotion to God and submission to His purposes.  It is the opposite of pride. It is a God-controlled person, who possesses a strong yet teachable spirit, with all the emotions and ability to take and conquer, but still is able to govern himself.

The meek person rejects the attitude of self-sufficiency and superiority, but lives completely for God with no agendas other than to please Christ.

A word with a closely-related meaning is magnanimous, defined as “generous in forgiving; avoiding resentment or revenge; unselfish.”

Meekness is an important part of true love. “Love is patient; love is kind … It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, New International Version).

The Bible places great value on meekness. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek [Greek praus], for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). That’s a mighty big reward for being meek!

We are to be meek (yielded, teachable, responsive) first of all in our relationship with God, and secondly meek (humble, gentle, respectful) in our relationships with people. To become this kind of person, God must tame and train us!

MEEKNESS VS GENTLENESS!

Since “meek” is no longer a popular or commonly used word, modern Bible translations frequently substitute the almost-synonymous word “gentle.” The New King James Version, for instance, uses “meek” and “gentle” interchangeably. However, we must be aware that gentleness refers mostly to actions, whereas meekness refers to attitude— one’s whole state of mind as well as actions. Meekness produces gentleness. This explains why meekness is one of the beatitudes—beautiful attitudes for which God promises blessings (Matthew 5:5).

MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS!

Many people confuse “meek” with “weak.” It’s regrettable that they rhyme because godly meekness requires strength! Meekness does not refer to weakness or passivity but to controlled power, expressed by faith, obedience and a whole-hearted surrender to the Holy Spirit.

Some people assume that a person who doesn’t retaliate tit for tat must be afraid or mousy. But true strength is shown by a secure individual who stays cool, thinks first and then responds in the way that will best help the other person. Proverbs 15:1 says:

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”

• Consider God! He is all-powerful, but He never misuses His power. He is the perfect Father who never overreacts, is gentle with His often-unruly children and always does what is best for us.
• Consider also the example Jesus Christ while on earth. Although He could call on divine power, He was approachable, sympathetic, kind and loving. In Matthew 11:29, He said,

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly [humble] in heart”

He used His power for healing rather than hurting. Remember His words: “Learn from Me.”

JESUS: OUR EXAMPLE OF MEEKNESS/HUMILITY

Philippians 2:5-9 says: “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, but stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.”

1 Peter 2:23 “When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.”

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud! Behold, your King comes to you; He is [uncompromisingly] just and having salvation [triumphant and victorious], patient, meek, lowly, and riding on a donkey.”

TWO PROMINENT EXAMPLES OF THE MEEK AND HUMBLE

• Moses, a man that spoke with God was very meek. Numbers 12:3 says: “Now the man Moses was very humble (gentle, kind, devoid of self-righteousness), more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)” [AMP]
• John the Baptist; the forerunner OF Christ was meek. In Mark 1:7, he said: “There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.” And then in John 3:30, he said: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

CONCLUSION

We are admonished to live a life completely clothed with meekness and humility. Colossians 3:12 says:

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

In Philippians 4:5, the Bible admonishes us to have a reputation for gentleness. It says:

“Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.”

The Bible also admonishes us to live this way in several other scriptures.

Matthew 23:11-12 “The greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and He who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Titus 3:2 “Speak evil of none, do not be quarrelsome, but gentle, showing perfect meekness toward all (perfect courtesy toward all men).”

1Timothy 6:11 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

Ephesians 4:2 “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”

Remember that it is the result of His presence, the Holy Spirit within us that enables us to manifest these graces of which meekness is one. So let’s allow the fruit mature and ripen in us.