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Meekness is not weakness, but rather controlled strength. It is the opposite of pride. It's submission to God, through a listening ear to what He has to say, and is unselfishness to others. It is not occupied with self at all.
Meekness is that meek and quiet spirit, which is greatly valued by God.
1 Peter 3:4
"But let it be the hidden man of the heart,
in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
which is in the sight of God of great price."
Meekness comes from Strength
Because meekness is the selfless aspect of love, it can only be manifested from a strength of character. Those with a weak character are always occupied with self and with what others think or say to them. When you know who you are in God, what people say to you or think of you, will not move you; you are not self-centered.
1 Peter 5:5-6
- " ... Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- "Humble yourselves therefore under the might hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."
Meekness brings Blessings
James 4:10
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and he shall lift you up."
Meekness obtains Grace
Anything worth having will come through God's grace. Pride, the opposite of meekness, will cause God to resist you. God is for you, not against you, but He will resist you if you are operating in pride. Pride causes us to pursue things of our own desire, or to be exalted or glorified before man. Meekness is God's will for us and His will causes Him to be glorified.
When you desire to fulfill God's will out of a love for Him, you will receive His grace.
James 4:6
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
When you submit yourself to God, His grace will abound in your life in such a way that when you resist the devil, he will be forced to flee from you.
James 4:7
"Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Meekness is Teachable
Every time you hear the Word you should listen like you've never heard it before and know nothing about it. Receive it with meekness, for if you think you already know it all, you will not benefit from the preaching, teaching or hearing of it.
James 1:21
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity
of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted
word, which is able to save your souls."
Meekness places Others First
Get your eyes off of yourself. Be willing to spend time and energy helping someone else find and accomplish God's will for their life. This basic kindness will bless someone else while costing you something, your time and your energy. This is not to be done to show others how great you are or to in anyway glorify yourself.
Philippians 2:3
"Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
This kind of meekness and courtesy comes into play in everyday life. Put the needs and wants of others above your own.
- Let others go first
- Give up your seat to another
- Listen attentively when someone is speaking to you
- Be on time when meeting someone, don't make them wait on you
- Lay down your own interests for those of someone else
Meekness does not Criticize
This is an area of which we are all guilty. It is always easy to see others faults, but we tend to overlook our own.
Matthew 7:3
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye,
but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"
Those that are filled with pride have a critical spirit, which can be dangerous. We are to build each other up. When a meek person sees the fault of another, he responds by restoring that one rather than criticizing. It can open the door for Satan to tempt us.
Galatians 6:1
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted."
Meekness receives Rewards
Psalm 22:26
"The meek shall eat and be satisfied:
they shall praise the LORD that seek him:
your heart shall live for ever."
Psalm 25:9
"The meek will he guide in judgment:
and the meek will he teach his way."
Psalm 37:11
"But the meek shall inherit the earth;
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
Psalm 147:6
"The Lord lifteth up the meek:
he casteth the wicked down to the ground."
Matthew 5:5
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
Be careful that you do not obtain a false humility (meekness). It is easily recognized by God and others.
Colossians 2:18
"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility
and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he
hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."
False humility is an offensive to God, and can keep us from being useful to Him. Moses displayed this when he was first called by God at the burning bush. When the God told Moses that He was sending him back to release His people from bondage, Moses responded by saying that he was not adequate for this great task. This may have seemed humble, but in reality Moses was saying that his inadequacy was greater than God’s adequacy. He was focusing on himself instead of the Lord.
Exodus 3:10-11
- "Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
- "And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
Jesus, Our Example of Meekness
Jesus set the example when He taught His apostles that if they wanted to be great in the kingdom of God they must become servants of all. He gave Himself as an example when he said ...
Matthew 20:28
"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Jesus set the example of humility and service for us when He washed His disciples feet.
John 13:14-15
- "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
- "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Jesus said of His own character ...
Matthew 11:29
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
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