Christian Living
Merriam-Webster’ definition of meekness would be my best dictionary definition….
“the quality or state of being meek : a mild, moderate, humble, or submissive quality.”
This definition is quite close to the Biblical meaning of the word….
Meekness is quietness and gentleness of spirit. It is an inward gracing and temper of spirit that manifests physically. Meekness (gentleness/quietness) is part of the fruit of the Spirit….
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!“
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
It’s interesting to note that meekness is often listed or mentioned alongside humility in the Bible. Humility here meaning; the fear (reverence) of the Lord and the expression of God’s kind of love towards others.
We are admonished as disciples of Jesus Christ to exhibit the good virtue of meekness …
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
Colossians 3:12-14 NKJV
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love”
Ephesians 4:1-2 NKJV
Below is a quote from Vines about meekness…. I love it…
“Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all.”
So underlying meekness is selflessness. Selflessness is an attribute of humility. People who put themselves in the centre of everything struggle with selflessness, humility, agape and meekness.
Meekness and humility don’t just come naturally, no mere human is naturally all of these things. Jesus was described this way…
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29 NKJV
“Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ— who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.”
II Corinthians 10:1 NKJV
And there lies the good news, if Jesus was all of these things and He lives in us, then we can be all of these things…Halleluyah!
1 Peter 3: 4 describes meekness as the ornament of the spirit…
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
I Peter 3:3-4 NKJV
“but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.”
1 Peter 3:4 AMP
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 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.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT
Just as an aside, I believe every woman was created beautiful. A woman should look simple, smart and beautiful. However there’s an ‘exessiveness’ and busyness of looking beautiful that is absolutely distracting….both for men and women (selah).
A gentle and quiet spirit is attractive, even to God. And it manifests physically, even in our dressing……
One of the first things I heard God say to me was; ‘in quietness is your strength’……I love the woman on the cover page of Francine Rivers’ book, The Scarlet Thread…..
There is a seeming quietness around her, she looks really calm and peaceful. Arnold (my husband) says she must have worked really hard to be comfortably seated like that….Well, I am working hard!…..?.
Back in University days some of my colleagues nicknamed me ‘cool, calm, calculated’…., that’s how it seemed physically, but they were so wrong, …..if only they knew the wars I had within…. thank God for the Holy Spirit at work in us.
In meekness, we are more pliable to the Word of God; our spirit as led by God’s Spirit gains more dominance over our minds, emotions and intellect.
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls.“
James 1:21 NKJV
And there is an abundance of peace for the meek…
“But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.“
Psalms 37:11 NKJV
