THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: MEEKNESS!

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: MEEKNESS!

Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Matt 11:29

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.

Num 12:3

3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Ps 37:11

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

          Merriam – Webster lists two definitions for the word “meekness.” One is: “characterized by patience and long-suffering.” The other is: “deficient in spirit and courage.” I don’t think the second definition defines biblical meekness. The Greek word used in Galatians is prautes and means “mildness or humility.”

                Meekness is not weakness but great strength, authority, and power under control. “The meek Christian does not throw his weight around or assert himself. Just as wisdom is the right use of knowledge, so meekness is the right use of authority and power.” (The Bible Exposition Commentary)

          Adam Clarke says meekness is: “‎Mildness, indulgence toward the weak and erring, patient suffering of injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge, an even balance of all tempers and passions, the entire opposite to anger.”

1 Cor 13:5

5 [Charity] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Col 3:12-13

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.

          The Holy Spirit enables us to patiently bear the error of the ignorant, to gently deal with the weak and to suffer the injustices of the cruel. This is the key to forgiveness and reconciliation.

Dear Lord, let my responses today be Spirit controlled. Let frustration and anger be put aside and replaced with your very own nature. AMEN