One of the most profound statements about meekness is written in Matt 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth”
Before we look at what meekness is, let’s look at what meekness isn’t.
Meekness is not docility, laziness, or a sign of weakness. It is not about external appearance, looking dull on the surface or in the outward appearance.
Now, what is meekness? It is an inner strength brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. It is the capacity for self-control; to be able to wait when others are running; it is to be at rest when others are restless; and to be calm when others are troubled.
Meekness is the condition of the heart, to be satisfied with God’s provision. The success of another person is not a threat to the meek.
Let’s look at the Indicators of meekness:
1. A teachable spirit: A meek person is someone who is eager to learn, easy to correct and quick to listen.
James 1:19 – Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.
2. Quick to see personal faults and takes responsibility: Someone who is meek does not shift the blame to someone else or blame circumstances.
3. A grateful heart: Meek people effortlessly show gratitude. Instead of resulting in complaint, they see the need to be grateful in all things.
4. They see the value in others and put others before them: A meek person has an awareness of others’ giftings, strengths and contributions. (Phil 2:3 – Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself).
5. Kind and patient with others’ mistakes: Someone who is not easily insulted, offended, or angered by others.
Let’s look at why Meetness is important?
1. To learn from God:
In Psa. 25: 9 (KJV) – The meek will He guide in judgment and the meek will He teach in His way.
It is difficult to guide a person who thinks he knows it all. If God is to teach you His way, and give you direction on how to be fruitful, you must come with a meek heart.
Lack of meekness has made some Christians to be stagnant, obsolete, and outdated with the word of God because they have become sophisticated in their knowledge of God’s word to the extent that they are not ready to unlearn and relearn.
A meek person easily takes correction without becoming defensive and argumentative.
2. To teach others in the way of God:
It is not only the learner that must be meek in order to receive instructions, but the teacher must also be meek in impacting the knowledge.
According to 2 Tim 2:24 – And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, able to teach, patient.
Meekness makes us approachable and easy to relate with. It gives you the capacity to listen, even to foolish questions and tolerate funny behavior without finding offense. Many people that would have developed under your training might have been scared away due to lack of meekness.
Now let’s look at how you can develop Meekness:
1. Discipline to grow in the Spirit (Not grace, because grace is always available):
Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit, and fruit is developed by abiding in the true vine.
Jesus said in John 15:4-5:
(4) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (5) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
It takes discipline to abide. Fruit is cultivated by abiding, clinging, and yielding.
2. To be poor in spirit:
In Matt 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In other words, when we come to God, we must realize our own sin and our spiritual emptiness, and spiritual bankruptcy, before God.
Finally, we’ll look at the Power of Meekness (How the Meek inherit the earth):
Matt 5:5 “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit (take over) the earth”.
The statement is both futuristic and immediate at the same time.
You may be thinking, how is it Futuristic? Remember the scripture in Psa. 24:1 – The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
The meek are the people that God will handover the affairs of the earth to during the millennia reign. We will ultimately get to heaven, but we will also be reigning with Jesus on earth during the millennial reign.
You may also be thinking, In Psa. 25:9 – The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
The more you are guided by God and get exposed to His ways, you gain advantage over your peers.
Say this prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be meek, in the name of Jesus.
