Meekness

Recently, the Men’s Group (so why did I feel the need to capitalize ‘Men’s Group?) at the church I attend were contemplating one of the questions posed in our current study.  The question was “How can we be meek in our relationships without becoming weak?”

After much discussion, the first thing we all concluded was that we weren’t entirely sure we understood exactly what it means to be meek.  So I started studying a bit and here’s my summation.

If you go allllllll the way to the end, you’ll find the scripture references i used.

Study notes on meekness:

 DEFINITION(s)

Microsoft word: (adjective) 1:  mild: showing mildness or quietness of nature 2: cowed: showing submissiveness and lack of initiative or will

American Heritage Dictionary (2009) (adjective) 1: Showing patience and humility; gentle.  2: Easily imposed on: submissive.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary (1974) (adjective) 1: characterized by patience and long-suffering.  2: deficient in spirit and courage.  3: moderate

Synonyms: humble, timid, submissive, gentle, docile, modest, compliant, mild

Cowed?  Lack of initiative or will, deficient in spirit and courage?  Ok, granted, there are some fairly positive definitions of meek, but for the most part, it’s not something most men would want to have carved on their tombstone (“Here’s lies Wilhoff…deficient in spirit and courage”).  And think about it: when you first think of the word meek, do you picture someone of great spiritual fortitude and strength…or someone wearing a pocket protector and bow tie?  The way the world defines meekness is so very different from the way God views it.

SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION

After looking at 3 versions of the bible (NIV, NAS & KJV thanks to biblegateway.com), I found 30 uses of the word in the KJV, 4 in the NIV and only 2 in the NAS.  By comparing all 30 verses in the KJV that contain the word meek (or a variation thereof) with the same verses in the NIV and NAS, the most oft used ‘substitutes’ are gentle (gentleness, gently) and humble (humility, humbly).

So as defined or described by scripture, meekness isn’t akin to weakness at all.  In fact, as Christians who want to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), meekness (gentleness) is a quality possessed by Christ, therefore, something we should strive for.

Paul exhorts the church to show its gentleness to everyone (Philippians 4:5).  In addressing the church at Corinth, Paul makes his appeal ‘by the humility and gentleness of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:1).  He instructs the Colossians to ‘clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’.

Humility is defined as modesty or respectfulness.  Guess what my Thesaurus lists as one of its synonyms?  Yep…meekness. ‘Possessing an unassuming nature’.  We’re told that humility brings wisdom (Proverbs 11:2, James 3:13); that it is the fear of the Lord (Prov. 22:4).  We’re instructed to clothe ourselves with humility (Colossians 3:12, Prov. 3:34 and referenced again in 1 Peter 5:5).

It’s obvious throughout scripture that God wants his children to be meek.  Jesus even tells us the meek are so blessed they will inherit the earth.

Q: How can we be meek in our relationships without being weak?

 I believe we first have to come to a proper acceptance and understanding of what it means to be meek.  Rather than subscribe to the negative social definitions, we really have to get our hearts and minds around the fact that this is NOT a bad or weak thing that God is calling us to be.  He’s calling us to be wise!

After reading through these many verses, it’s easy to see that this meekness, this humility and gentleness He is calling us to can’t be achieved without a confidence and strength that is born of the understanding of who He is, a sincere fear of His awesomeness and knowing who we are in Him.

Look at the blessings our God promises as a result of truly, sincerely pursuing meekness.[1]  Just go down the list of verses and you’ll see that the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity; they shall eat and be satisfied, there heart shall live for ever, they are guided in judgment and taught His way, delight in the abundance of peace and shall be saved!  The meek He will beautify with salvation.  Daddy God increases the joy of Him in the hearts of the meek!

 [1] see the warning against delighting in false humility in Col. 2:18-19

Here’s what I’m seeing.  Take a close look at Colossians 2:16-23.  This is Paul warning about being swayed by people full of false humility.

There’s a saying in sales:  sell the sizzle, not the steak.  You focus on the ‘wow’ stuff that creates excitement and ‘buzz’ in order to make something more appealing.

That’s what a lot of these people were doing.  They were the ones who were worshiping tasks, events, things they witnessed.  The focus was no longer on Christ, but on how spiritual they could appear to one another.   Paul says that they ‘lost connection with the head’ (vs. 19).  THAT’S the death of humility: loosing connection with the head, which is Christ Jesus.  The life, and the birth of humility come from knowing that our strength is Christ and Christ alone.  As we continue to die to self, He increases, and His strength, His glory is what we reflect, rather than our own ideas and notions.

So I’m asking: if meekness means allowing more of Him to live in us, rule us, guide us, if it means I shut up and allow Him to shine brighter than me, how could I possibly be weak?  Despite what others might think they see; true meekness, true humility and gentleness are manifestations of an unbelievable strength, an incomparable power (Eph. 1:18-20).

Finally: IF we truly pursue the heart of the Father, cling to His truth, yearn and learn of His heart for us and receive everything He graciously gives, meekness, humility and gentleness will be naturally ‘supernaturally’ birthed in us: a fruit of the Spirit that grows in us (Gal. 5:22…see gentleness?).  And once we live in sincere humility/meekness…THEN His strength will be truly manifested in us.