Meekness

D.G. Miles McKee

“The fruit of the Spirit is … meekness.”
-Galatians 5:22-23


The word translated "meekness" is associated with gentleness and mildness. What was Jesus like? He was "meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). Though He was Israel's true King, He rode into Jerusalem, "meek, and sitting upon a donkey" (Matthew 21:5). The apostle Paul speaks of "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:1). Jesus Himself pointed to the importance of meekness when He said, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5).

Let´s consider then a few matters concerning meekness.

To my social media friends, I would say, a meek man will be kind and patient towards those who do not see eye to eye with them. Meekness will remind them that all the truth which they grasp is due, not to themselves, but to Divine coaching. Therefore, their attitude towards those less instructed than themselves will be meek, lowly, and gentle.

We need to be meek in dealing with those who are in error. The apostle says, "If a man is overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1).

We must be careful not think too highly of ourselves. Jesus made Himself the least in the Kingdom (Matthew 11:11) and a nobody (Philippians 2:7). May the Spirit of the Lord help us to embrace meekness.

We also need the Lord´s help to be meek in our attitude towards the Word of God. We are instructed to "Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21).

There are difficulties in the Bible which we cannot explain. There are mysteries which we cannot unravel. The great Samuel Johnston, the compiler of the first English dictionary, was once asked if he was troubled by the parts of the Bible that he could not understand. He replied, “No sir, it´s the parts of the Bible I do understand that trouble me.”

We may not understand all that the Bible says but we are to receive the clear teaching of the Word with meekness. In meekness we welcome all its doctrines, precepts, and promises.

And what of those who ask us annoying questions? Do we need to be meek towards them? Here´s the thing, their questions may be sly and artful, or they may be sincere. In any case, we should be meek towards them. "Be ready," says the apostle, "always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15).

Ministers of the Word need to be meek. "Thou, O man of God," said Paul to Timothy, "follow after meekness." "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves" (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:25). Also, Titus was taught to show "all meekness unto all men" (Titus 3:2).

There is no encouragement in the Word for ministers of the Gospel to be harsh or impatient.

But meekness is not for Gospel ministers only, it is for all believers everywhere. We are exhorted to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, "with all lowliness and meekness" (Ephesians 4:1-2). That´s the way Jesus did it.

There is no point in us debating election if the fruits of election are not evident in our lives. To the contrary, as the elect of God, we are to put on "kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering" (Colossians 4:12). May we pause for a moment and consider those four qualities, …kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and longsuffering. What a beautiful portrait they make of Jesus.

Remember, “Meek” does not mean weak. But the truth is, we don´t have to fight everyone who seems to challenge our views. If, however, we are drawn into a necessary debate, let meekness be apparent unless, that is, we are called to oppose the modern-day Pharisees who deny the grace of God and the Deity and Humanity of Christ … But that´s another story.

And that´s the Gospel Truth!


NOTE: Please pray for Miles as he goes to Bulgaria on the 18th of April. The reason for the trip is to preach and teach the finished work of Christ. Thanks for standing with us.



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