M is for Meekness

Meekness is power under control

“Meekness: A submissive and teachable spirit toward God that reveals itself in general consideration toward others.”

“gentleness” - non KJV

Meekness is:

· Permission of God’s Word

· Submission to God’s will

· Suppression of Power - Power under control

Meekness is Blessed by God

Matthew 5:5 NLT

5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

G4239 - praus - mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit

Paul Chappell

Meekness is void of self-righteousness or pride.

Meekness is not weakness -

Meekness is a humble response to treatment by others.

Does not let evil prevail

Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:22-23

Galatians 5:22–23 NLT

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

We are dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit working inside of us.

We can’t do it without God’s help - maybe that’s why angry people say “God help me”

Meekness is a way to become like Jesus, who is the vine of our fruit

Meekness is more than humility

Humility is a self-assessment of one’s personal VALUE - how much I am WORTH

Meekness assesses one’s personal RIGHTS - how much I can DO

Meekness is an antidote to pride, and selfish ambition it brings.

Meekness Accepts God’s Will

Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. - Outline of Biblical Usage

Meekness accepts God’s bigger picture without anger, bitterness, or frustration.

Examples of Meekness

Moses was Meek to God’s INSTRUCTION

“Moses was … more humble than any other person on earth. Numbers 12:3

The meekness of Moses to build God’s Ark of the Covenant to protect God’s people was more than likely learned from his mother, when she once built a floating ark to protect him

Mary was Meek to God’s CONCEPTION

Mary submitted to God’s will

- according to thy words, may it be done unto me”

Luke 1:38 NLT

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Mary paved the way for Jesus’ meekness by submitting to God’s will

Jesus was Meek towards God’s DIRECTION

Not My will

Luke 22:42 NLT

42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Meekness Trusts God’s Justice

As a result of trusting God, Meekness Towards Man is Peaceful

Outline of Biblical Usage -

In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God will deliver His elect in His time, as in the parable of the unjust judge who vindicated a meek widow who continually cried out for justice in Luke 18:1-8.

Meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation.

Meekness does not have to have the last word in a conversation.

Meekness will not engage in a power struggle - whether in a marriage, at church, at work or on social media.

Meekness does not have a personal agenda, an axe to grind or a point to prove.

In the pastoral epistle of Titus 3:1-2, Meekness in the life of the believer is described as:

Submission to government

Obedient to laws

Ready to do good

Must not slander

Avoid quarreling

Show humility to everyone

Meekness Rests in Jesus

Matthew 11:29 NLT

29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Meekness has a submissive and teachable spirit

The world needs a “come to Jesus” meeting - to calm down

Jesus Trusted in God’s Justice

Even though Jesus was 100% God and Man, He described Himself as “meek and lowly”.

Matthew 21:5 (NLT)

5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ”

When Jesus made His “triumphant” entry into Jerusalem, He chose a donkey (John 12:12-16). It was a symbol of meekness instead of a warhorse representing an earthly king like the people wanted (Zechariah 9:9-10).

When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, He was not weak because He could not help Himself. He was meek because He had the infinite resources of God.

Jesus did not resist when arrested - though He could have called down thousands of angels

Jesus did not defend Himself when accused - though He was innocent

Jesus did not threaten when crucified - though His words could have destroyed the Roman Empire.

The World Does Not Value Meekness

Today, we are seeing the result of generations who were not taught the value of meekness. As a result, we as a nation have lost our stability through civility.

The lack of Christ has led to the current chaos of pride and rudeness

There is an End time insubordination to God’s Word - which spills over to the hostility of our fellow man.

Some national leaders believe our rights come from man and not from God!

This is why we see riots on college campuses - intolerance of Jews - systemic antisemitism

We Need a Meekness Revival!

What is the answer to today’s turmoil? A revival that is expressed in Meekness!

Revival restores meekness -

James 1:19 NLT

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

70% on children follow their mother’s faith

Like Moses and Jesus, let’s follow our mother’s faith!

Meekness is Precious to God

1 Peter 3:4 NLT

4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Questions to Consider:

How submissive are you to God’s will?

Do you deal with people kindly, preferring then to yourself?

How important do you value your personal opinion?

How much to you trust God for your own defense and justice?

Do you often keep a quite spirit marked by inward peace that is undisturbed by any outward provocation?

Suggested reading (The Nature of Meekness and Quietness of Spirit by Matthew Henry)

Closing - Let’s Grow in Meekness

Since the spiritual fruit of meekness goes against the grain of human ambition and self-preservation, let’s let the Spirit do His work to grow His fruit in us.