"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness…” Galatians 5:22, 23
Meekness is the most misunderstood fruit of the Spirit. A meek person is often seen as a weak person but in reality, meek person is a very strong person who is the master of himself and servant of others. From a negative viewpoint, meekness is NOT being easy going, nice, weakness in personality and character, a natural quality, being a dormouse or a spirit of compromise. Positively meekness IS having a temper of spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good without disputing or resisting; not feeling sorry for yourself when other are given priority over you; not being cowardly; enduring through patience and longsuffering when suffering unjustly; praying rather than retaliating when falsely accused; and not being proud or asserting oneself.
The key is that a meek person is one whose strength is under control and does not focus on personal claims or merits. Jesus Christ was a meek person but always acted with His strength under control. Consider the time he defended the Temple as a House of Prayer and threw out the money changers. He wasn’t concerned for Himself but for the Father’s glory and the right use of the Temple as the House of God and not a place for merchandising regardless of the excuse given.
When we look at meekness in relation to the other fruit of the Spirit, we understand that meekness describes the condition of the heart and mind while gentleness describes one’s actions. Meekness finds its strength from longsuffering and patience and expresses itself in love not anger.
Martyn-Lloyd Jones once described a meek person as being mild, patient and longsuffering, with no spirit of retaliation, as having a teachable spirit and being able to leave everything in God’s hands.
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." [Ephesians 4:1 – 3]
Meekness is the most misunderstood fruit of the Spirit. A meek person is often seen as a weak person but in reality, meek person is a very strong person who is the master of himself and servant of others. From a negative viewpoint, meekness is NOT being easy going, nice, weakness in personality and character, a natural quality, being a dormouse or a spirit of compromise. Positively meekness IS having a temper of spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good without disputing or resisting; not feeling sorry for yourself when other are given priority over you; not being cowardly; enduring through patience and longsuffering when suffering unjustly; praying rather than retaliating when falsely accused; and not being proud or asserting oneself.
The key is that a meek person is one whose strength is under control and does not focus on personal claims or merits. Jesus Christ was a meek person but always acted with His strength under control. Consider the time he defended the Temple as a House of Prayer and threw out the money changers. He wasn’t concerned for Himself but for the Father’s glory and the right use of the Temple as the House of God and not a place for merchandising regardless of the excuse given.
When we look at meekness in relation to the other fruit of the Spirit, we understand that meekness describes the condition of the heart and mind while gentleness describes one’s actions. Meekness finds its strength from longsuffering and patience and expresses itself in love not anger.
Martyn-Lloyd Jones once described a meek person as being mild, patient and longsuffering, with no spirit of retaliation, as having a teachable spirit and being able to leave everything in God’s hands.
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." [Ephesians 4:1 – 3]
If you would like a FREE copy of the booklet "he Fruit of the Spirit" please go to http://www.hopetriumphant.com/free_literature.htm
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