A dictionary definition of meek is “easy, mild, considerate, gentle, of a soothing disposition, an inward grace of the soul, it is chiefly exercised toward God.” Someone has said that meekness is “power under control.” It describes the manner in which we conduct ourselves.
In Galatians 5:22, 23, meekness is listed as a fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
As the Holy Spirit is allowed freedom to work in the child of God, his disposition will become meek. At one time the apostle John was ready for Jesus to rain down fire from heaven and consume those who would not receive Christ. This same John later wrote the wonderful book of love known as I John. John learned meekness.
It is a strong and wise person who will seek meekness and demonstrate it toward God and others. Only dedicated and submitted believers do so.
What Meekness is Not
Meekness is not weakness or passivity. The Lord Himself was meek, but not weak. Jesus was active about His work and His power was the very power of God. Moses was meek but no one ever accused him of being weak. He led the mighty nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage.
When Jesus was led to Calvary’s hill, He demonstrated meekness to its greatest extent. He had all power and could have extinguished all His enemies. Yet, He was mild and gentle. He was literally power under control.
Furthermore, meekness is not a hindrance to the Christian in his fight for right. God has clearly taught in Ephesians 6:10-13, that each of His children is to fight the fight of faith. Meekness has no hint of cowardice in it.
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Galatians 6:10-13 KJV 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
The people of God should put themselves completely into the fight against evil, but their dealings with the lost should always be of such a nature that Christ is seen through their meek spirit.
Still another thing about meekness is that it is not reserved for the quiet and introverted Christian. A wrong idea which some may have concerning meekness is that the person who has it is always quiet and reserved. However, the talkative, assertive Christian can also be meek. As long as one is considerate and gentle toward others and of a mild spirit toward God, he is meek. The meek saint is not overbearing toward others. He does not overwhelm them, nor does he insist on having his own way.
Some Implications of Meekness
Not only does meekness indicate a gentle spirit and consideration of others, it also implies some other things. One of those things is patience. A meek Christian is patient toward the workings of God. He realizes that God is always good and right. Thus, he accepts what He does.
Meekness further implies patience toward other people. For a person’s disposition to be mild and calm, he must be willing to overlook many mistakes. Sometimes, he may even have to take some insults and hurts. The Holy Spirit is the only One Who can accomplish this in a Christian.
We have already discussed humility in the first chapter, however, humility is implied in meekness. In connecting the two together, Jesus said this in Matthew 11:29:
Matthew 11:29 KJV 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.
In Ephesians 4:1, 2, Paul wrote this:
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Ephesians 4:1-2 KJV 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Only the humble are meek. When we see ourselves in our proper position, we are better able to consider others. Since meekness is an inward grace of the soul, chiefly exercised toward God, humility is greatly involved.
Two more things that are implied by meekness are love and compassion. I believe we can easily see how love and compassion are connected with meekness. In fact, no one can be meek without having a Godly love and compassion for others, and especially demonstrating the same toward God.
The Value of Meekness
Meekness assists in the restoration of backslidden brethren. There are several Scriptures that deal with withdrawing fellowship from brethren under certain conditions. Churches who genuinely love their members will abide by God’s directives in the Scripture.
When withdrawal from a brother does take place, the spirit of meekness makes it more likely that he will be restored to fellowship. The erring brother will sense the love and concern from his meek brothers and sisters. The meek person is also aware that he might fall into the same trap of sin.
Another value of meekness is that it assists in the receiving of the Word of God. James put it this way in James 1:21:
James 1:21 KJV 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
The spirit of meekness puts a person in a position to receive, accept, and incorporate, the Word of God into his life. It is by the reception of the Word that Christians can grow and make their lives count for Christ.
Mature Christian meekness aides in witnessing and defending the truth.
Consider what Peter wrote in I Peter 3:15.
1 Peter 3:15 KJV 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
The MANNER in which we tell others about Christ is all important. Many lost souls have been turned away by well-meaning people who have come across too strongly. We should be confident and straightforward with our 27
witness for Christ, but we should be meek as well.
During the years of my pastorate, I saw this very thing happen time and time again. Two stand out very distinctly in my mind even after all these years, but I will share only one. While I was still a teenager and had enrolled in the Eastern Baptist Institute and Seminary in Ohio, I was part of a group of other teens and adults that decided to attend revival services at a sister church located close to Cincinnati. It was a bit of a drive and there were several carloads of us. We enjoyed the service
and the preaching was very good. On the way home, however, just a short distance away from the church we were visiting, we were involved in an accident. I don’t remember all the details, but it stands out in my mind that we were not at fault, but everyone was okay except for being shaken and maybe some bruises. I am not sure how the man that was the evangelist at the revival appeared on the scene, but he was. The accident was being investigated by a lone Ohio State Trooper. He had his hands full with several people and vehicles involved. As many may know, the paperwork generated by such an event is tremendous. Much has to be completed at the scene while the remainder is completed many times on his own time. In the midst of all that was going on, the trooper was doing his best getting all the information down. It certainly was not the time for any distractions and interruptions. I could not believe it when this evangelist went up to the trooper and started asking questions about his salvation. He stood right there and tried to witness to the man. It was not the time or place to be witnessing to the trooper. Later, maybe. Right at that time, no. I lost all respect that I might have had for the evangelist right then and there. I cannot remember the evangelist’s name, but I have never forgotten what he did even after almost 50 years. We should witness whenever the Holy Spirit provides the opportunity but we are not to make our own opportunity.
We may do more harm than good. I suppose we will never know the rest of the trooper’s life in response to this incident. Truth be told, the evangelist could have arrested by the trooper and charged for interfering with an officer of the law carrying out his duties. That really wouldn’t have helped matters at all. The point is: be ready to witness for Jesus at the “drop of a hat” but let the Holy Spirit provide the opportunity and then follow His guidance for the rest.
Just as we should be confident and straightforward with our witness for Christ with meekness, the same is true when we defend the faith. We must attack heresy with everything we have but be careful to show the love of Christ toward those who are in error. A rough and harsh mannerism can cause others to not pay attention at all.
The greatest value of meekness is that it makes us more like Christ. That should be our goal in our spiritual life—to be more like Christ. Consider this passage.
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1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth
Still another value of meekness is the inheritance of the earth. Jesus said in our text verse, Matthew 5:5, Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Inheriting the earth makes meekness very valuable.
The meek are the last ones whom people would suspect of inheriting the earth today. Those who have control of the world now are those who have run roughshod over others in order to gain that control. What the wicked do not realize is that their control is temporary. It will be God’s people who will have final and eternal control. When Jesus shall put down Satan and his armies at the battle
of Armageddon, the redeemed shall inherit the present earth for one thousand years. This will be sort of a “warm-up” time for what is to follow.
After the Millennium, Satan will be loosed for a short period. Jesus will then put him and his army down for the last time at the battle of Gog and Magog.
God will then make a new earth. The meek shall inherit that new earth for all eternity.
Conclusion
Remember the definition I gave in the Chapter Introduction? It was an easy, mild, considerate, gentle, of a soothing disposition, an inward grace of the soul that is chiefly exercised toward God. It is the manner in which we are to conduct ourselves. If you haven’t been conducting yourself in this manner, you need to start now.
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How To Be Obedient
1 Samuel 15:22-23 KJV 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.