Blessed are the Meek

Put on therefore, as the elect of god, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, 

kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.

Colossians 3:12

Following the example of Jesus; He was fully persuaded in His purpose and walked this earth in confidence yet He was not puffed up in who He was.  He was humble before God and man.   

Meekness is an elusive virtue that few can accurately define. Most definitions are vague on its meaning, and many people equate it to weakness. The word of God praises Moses for being the meekest man of his time: 

(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)   Numbers 12:3 

Though one of the greatest leaders in human history, Moses thought of himself as a servant in relationship to God and as such, he quietly and gently submitted to God's will.   He carried himself as a humble servant of God and yet He is viewed as a friend of God:

 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend . . .  Exodus 3:11

However, he refused to elevate his own importance over that of God, exercising his authority in humility.

Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit that seems very much lost in our aggressive, self-centered culture. Because people associate it with weakness, most today do not admire others for being "meek," but as we shall see, it is not what they assume. 

Meekness is a quality of character very noticeable in the 

greatest human being ever to grace this earth

—and a quality that all of us sorely need today.

A modern English dictionary or thesaurus makes it clear why meekness is associated with weakness. Notice its synonyms as listed in the Reader's Digest Oxford Complete Word Finder: tame, timid, mild, bland, unambitious, retiring, weak, docile, acquiescent, repressed, suppressed, spiritless, broken, and wimpish. Not a single one of these words applies to Jesus Christ or even to Moses. Do these terms describe the warrior-king David, a man greatly beloved by God? Or Apostle Paul, the fearless and tireless apostle, who courageously faced his share and more of dangerous, painful persecutions? No, yet once we understand what biblical meekness is, we can easily see that these men were indeed meek.

If we look at our world today, we can generally agree that modern man lacks this godly attribute. Meekness, being a fruit of the Spirit, is an attribute of God Almighty Himself and important to our being in His image and a true witness of Him. Indeed, this characteristic will largely determine how much peace and contentment are in our lives and how well we fare during trials.

So then, here is another example of the contrasts between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.  The first thing you should know about this attribute is that meekness is controlled strength. For example, meekness is to be the method used in restoring a backslider. A backslider is one who goes back into a life of sin after having received Jesus as Savior:

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:12-13

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.   Galatians 6:1

Ö     Meekness keeps unity in the church.  Apostle Paul admonishes us:

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:1-3

Ö     Meekness should be used in dealing with all men:

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.  2 Timothy 2:24-25

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.   Titus 3:2

Ö      You are to receive God's Word with meekness:

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.         James 1:21

Ö     A wise man is a meek man:

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.   James 3:13

Ö     Believers are encouraged to seek this quality of meekness:

Put on therefore, as the elect of god, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.  Colossians 3:12

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

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness. . .   Zephaniah 2:3

The bible tells us,

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.   Matthew 5:5

There is much to be said about being meek.  God's children are to be humble, not puffed up in pride, boastful, condescending, disdainful of others; not to their brothers and sisters in Christ nor to the world.  Knowing our purpose in God and having our faith in God that He will accomplish His will in our life should give us confidence, not conceitedness.  

Let us strive to treat others in love and humility.  After all, Jesus said by this all men will know . . .

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.   John 13:35

(Biblical Studies)



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