The Fruit of Meekness

A. W. Tozer once wrote, The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto.

INTRODUCTION:   Meekness is defined as a, “submissive or teachable spirit toward God that reveals itself in genuine consideration to others.”

The greatest form of meekness over witnessed is when Jesus Christ came to earth in human form....

Matthew 21:5 KJV 1900

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

In His Birth, Life, Ministry and Death Jesus displayed the spiritual fruit of meekness.

1 Peter 2:21 KJV 1900

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Jesus displayed the spiritual fruit of meekness in His life.

Are you following His example?

How have you been treating people lately—the waitress or the customer sales associate at Wal-Mart?

How do you treat your neighbors, friends, and family members?

Meekness is a vital fruit of the Spirit, and to obtain it, we must study its source, its service, and its significance.

Chappell, Paul. Fruit Grows Where the Stream Flows (Teacher Edition): Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in our Daily Lives (p. 138). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

The Source of Meekness

The Fruit of Meekness comes from the same source as all the others.

Meekness is Produced by the Holy Spirit

Meekness is not something that can be learned in a classroom or from reading a secular book...

Psalm 25:9 KJV 1900

9 The meek will he guide in judgment: And the meek will he teach his way.

Two wives were mending their husbands’ pants while they waited for their laundry at the laundromat. One wife said, “My husband is so miserable. Nothing goes right at work, and he can’t find anything good on television. Our home is a place of despair and despondency. When we go to church the song leader is terrible and the pastor is an idiot.” The other wife said, “My husband is so excited. He can’t wait to go to church. He loves the sermons. We laugh all the time and enjoy our family.” It got very quiet in the laundry room as the women continued sewing the pants. One observer noticed that one lady was patching the seat of the pants, and the other was patching the knees.

Meekness will effect every relationship and is an outpouring of our contentment in Christ, his sustainment to us and His will for our lives.

Chappell, Paul. Fruit Grows Where the Stream Flows (Teacher Edition): Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in our Daily Lives (pp. 138-139). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

Psalm 22:26 KJV 1900

26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: They shall praise the Lord that seek him: Your heart shall live for ever.

Meekness is Praised by Jesus

In our culture people are praised who show toughness, successful and ambitious.

Jesus Praise those who were meek....

Matthew 5:5 KJV 1900

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

For those that are saved, The Holy Spirit touches our hearts, convincing us of our own sin and brokenness, instilling at attitude of thankful humility and meekness.

Isaiah 29:19 KJV 1900

19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

The Service of Meekness

How can you identify someone who is walking in meekness?

Ephesians 4:2 KJV 1900

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

The Service of a Meek Servant of Christ sill manifest itself in a quiet spirit and is evinced in at-least 3 ways...

Meekness Properly Responds to Difficulty

You cannot control the actions of others, but you can control the way your respond to them.

The best way to respond when dealing with difficulties is to step back and let the Holy Spirit respond through you.

Titus 3:2 KJV 1900

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

1 Timothy 6:11 KJV 1900

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

Meekness does not respond in by “flying of the handle” or “speaking our mind”

It is enduring hurt without responding in kind

A missionary in Jamaica was once questioning some little boys on the meaning of . He asked, “Who are the meek?” One child answered, “Those who give soft answers to rough questions.”

Chappell, Paul. Fruit Grows Where the Stream Flows (Teacher Edition): Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in our Daily Lives (p. 140). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

Meekness speaks softly and persuasively, instead of forcefully. It answers a provoking question with kindness and grace.

Chappell, Paul. Fruit Grows Where the Stream Flows (Teacher Edition): Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in our Daily Lives (p. 140). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

Meekness Properly Responds in Marriage

Peter tells us in that meekness makes a huge difference in our marraige

1 Peter 3:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 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.

If we look at the magizine rack at the grocery store as we are checking out, you see magazines called Glamour and Self.

Why do you think you have never seen a magazine called Meek?

Because the world is about self actualization - Self promotion. Not about building others - it is about us.

As we put into practice the need for Redemptive Relationships - we learn that it is not about promoting self - but building others.

Philippians 2:3–4 KJV 1900

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Philippians 2:4 KJV 1900

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

When we

A meek spirit will generate a Christ-honoring atmosphere in our homes.

The Word that Peter uses (Adorn) come from the greek word for trimming a wick. The wick of an oil lamp soaks in the oil and when fire is set to it, it will produce light and warmth to all in the area.

When a Christian is saturated by the spirit (oil) and His Word we can be used of God to create an atmosphere grace and peace

Meekness Properly Responds in Witnessing

When you have the opportunity to share Christ with someone, how would you describe the encounter - Preachy and Aggressive or Compassionate and Tender?

1 Peter 3:15–16 KJV 1900

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: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

The goal is to win a soul - not an argument.

I have seen new converts who get on fire for Christ and are ready to charge the gates of hell with a water pistol. Sometimes we have to be reminded that we cannot argue someone out of hell and into heaven.

We should witness boldly but with compassion!

The Significance in Meekness

Matthew 11:29–30 KJV 1900

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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Meekness Reveals Christ in You

Matthew 11:29–30 KJV 1900

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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

One of the signficance of meekness is that Christ is revealed in us. in this verse Jesus is saying “Walk with me, Work with me. I will give you the strength to handle live’s difficulties.

Meekness Reflects the Word in You

James 1:21–22 KJV 1900

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Meekness helps us to receive the Word of God and keeps our spirit teachable and moldable as the Lord Guides our life.

Meekness allows us to live out the Word of God on a daily basis.

Conclusion

Psalm 147:6 KJV 1900

6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: He casteth the wicked down to the ground.

To develop this fruit in your life, you must turn to the Source—the Holy Spirit; you must recognize the service of meekness—the manifestation of a gentle spirit; and you must understand its significance—Christ is revealed in your life.

Chappell, Paul. Fruit Grows Where the Stream Flows (Teacher Edition): Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in our Daily Lives (p. 143). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

Colossians 3:12–13 KJV 1900

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

Consider Christ. In His almightiness, He humbled Himself and became meek.

Philippians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

CONCLUSION: With all the power in the world, Christ chose to put it under control so that He might be used most effectively by His Heavenly Father.

The death of Christ on the Cross painted a portrait of what ultimate ultimate power controlled looks like—meekness.

Philippians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Chappell, Paul. Fruit Grows Where the Stream Flows (Teacher Edition): Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in our Daily Lives (p. 144). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

Chappell, Paul. Fruit Grows Where the Stream Flows (Teacher Edition): Experiencing the Fruit of the Spirit in our Daily Lives (p. 144). Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.