Meekness: Fruit of the Spirit Part 9
“But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Meekness is a trait we don’t often hear praised in our culture. In fact, the world’s negative view of meekness has rendered many Christians confused as to whether meekness is a virtue or a weakness.
According to Scripture, meekness is not a weakness, in fact, it is one of the ways in which a Christian exhibits strength. But what exactly is meekness?
The word here in Galatians 5:23 is part of a family of Greek words which combine the ideas of mildness, gentleness and humility. This is all summed up in the word meekness.
I often think that one of the best tests for whether I am exhibiting meekness is when I get stuck behind someone indecisive in a fast food drive-through.
I’m sure you’ve experienced this before: you pull into the drive-through thinking it will just take a minute or two. After all, there is just one car in line, and you already know exactly what you want to order. You’ll be through there in no time!
But then, one minute stretches to two, and the car in front of you doesn’t move. As the minutes stretch on, your impatience grows… Why don’t they just order already?
Meekness chooses to look at life not with a prideful, “me-first” mentality, but with humility, gentleness, and mildness of manner.
Meekness responds to situations like the slow drive-through with an understanding that God is in control of my schedule. Instead of seething inside with impatience at the inconvenience to my schedule, meekness chooses to humbly submit to God’s hand in allowing the delay.
Meekness smiles a genuine smile at the worker behind the window and chooses neither to complain nor to fix the indecisive driver in an icy stare as they pull away.
The foundation of meekness is trust that God knows what He is doing.
Christ’s Meekness
Jesus Himself is our best example for meekness. While He did not shy away from boldly confronting sin and even physically driving out those who were polluting the holiness of God’s chosen place of worship, He was nevertheless characterized by meekness. In fact, He described Himself as being meek:
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and by burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
I think it is significant that Jesus chose to pair meekness with rest. You see, when we are not walking in the Spirit, our emotions are tossed about from one irritation or offense to another. We cannot rest, because there is always something to be upset about. Meekness chooses to rest rather than to fight for our pride’s perceived “rights.”
When we are tempted to give in to anger or irritation, we can remember that Jesus, who deserves all praise, honor, and deference, responds to us in gentleness and mildness when we have offended His perfect holiness. How much more ought we imperfect sinners respond in meekness to those who offend us, knowing that we have been forgiven a far greater offense!
Blessed Are the Meek
If we needed any further evidence that meekness is a good thing, we need only read Christ’s statement in Matthew 5:5 which says,
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Here is a commendation from Christ Himself calling the meek blessed. That word “blessed” essentially means “happy.” Thus, Christ is saying that those who are meek will be happy.
This is quite the opposite of how our world paints the results of meekness. We are often told that if we don’t stand up for ourselves, no one will do it for us, but for the Christian, that is simply not true. Psalm 5:11-12 says,
“But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou hast defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. For Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt Thou compass Him as with a shield.”
Our Defender is God Himself. We need not fear meekness, for it places the whole burden of our protection and vindication upon the perfect justice and omnipotence of God.
We may not always agree with or understand the circumstances He allows, but we can rest secure and even happy in the truth that God is both sovereign and just and has promised to work all things for our good. (Romans 8:28)
That having been said, however, it is prudent to mention also that meekness does not mean refusal to confront sin, nor does it mean that a Christian should never make a stand against wrongdoing. Christ’s example as well as the teachings of Scripture make that clear. Yet, as with Christ, meekness is to be one of our defining characteristics.
It has often been said that meekness is power under control. We are told by God that Moses was the meekest man on earth, (Numbers 12:3) but a quick read-through of the Biblical narrative shows us that he was nevertheless strong, even forceful, in his shepherding of God’s people. However, that strength was kept under control and wielded in obedience to God. Meekness does not mean weakness: it means strength kept under the authority of God.
Receive with Meekness
Meekness is a key characteristic for the Christian because it takes meekness to be teachable, specifically when it comes to the things of God. James 1:21 says,
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
As has been mentioned previously, saving faith comes by the hearing of the Word of God. In order to be saved, one must believe that God’s Word is true. One could argue that meekness is required in order to agree with God about sin and the payment Christ has already offered for its penalty.
Meekness is also necessary in our Christian growth. One of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us grow in Christlikeness is by quickening, or bringing to life, passages of Scripture which we need to heed, whether for our encouragement, edification, or admonishment.
When confronted with truth from God’s Word, we have a choice: yield to it or reject it.
Pride responds in irritation or anger to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, often dismissing the convicting truth or making excuses as to why it isn’t true in this particular situation. Meekness embraces the truth and turns trustingly from sin, acknowledging God’s right to define what is right and wrong in our lives.
When we sit in church or read our Bibles or listen to a friend quote Scripture in response to something we say or do, are we receiving God’s Word in meekness, or are we pridefully pushing it away or focusing on others who we think “need it more than we do?”
Holy-Spirit led Christians receive the Word with meekness.
Flee and Follow
The book of 1 Timothy was written to a new pastor in charge of a church in a rather difficult area. As the Holy Spirit directed, Paul wrote to young Timothy,
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to our wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”(6:3-5)
These false teachers were responding to the truth of God’s Word in the exact opposite of meekness. They pridefully denied truth, “consenting not” to the words of Christ and the teachings of righteousness according to God’s Word. These men were proud, ignorant, and argumentative about surface issues. They are called destitute of the truth, and were focused on material gain.
In light of these false teachers and their contentious arguments, Paul instructs Timothy in how to respond:
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, gentleness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (6:11)
Notice how many characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit are mentioned here. As we yield to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, we will meet contentiousness and greed with righteousness, gentleness, faith, love, patience (longsuffering) as well as meekness. Colossians 3 gives us a similar list:
“Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (vv. 12-16)
Again, this passage mentions many of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, and shows us that meekness is to go hand in hand with compassion, humbleness of mind, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, and charity.
As we meekly yield to the Spirit in these things, the peace of God will rule in our hearts, filling us with gratitude. We will in meekness receive the Word of God, letting it dwell in our hearts instead of letting it go in one ear and out the other. And with the Word of God dwelling in our hearts, it will naturally flow out of us even in our singing.
Ornament of Meekness
For women, this characteristic of meekness is especially precious, for we are told in 1 Peter 3:
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting of the hair; and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (vv.3-4)
This is yet another characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit which runs opposite to the ideals of our culture for women, yet God says that a meek and quiet spirit is precious, of great price in His sight.
It is no accident that these two verses are bookended by two commendations to wives to be in submission to their husbands.
Married or single, you have probably noticed that submission of any kind does not come naturally. Ever since Eve decided to take things into her own hands in opposition to God’s command, women have struggled to accept God’s authority structure.
I have heard it argued that the idea of the husband being the head of the wife is based on Old Testament law and is not relevant to today, but 1 Timothy 2 bases the authority structure of the home and the church on creation, stating,
“For Adam was first formed, then Eve.”(v.13)
God created Adam first, then formed Eve out of Adam’s rib and gave her to him to be a helper for him. Since creation, God’s design was for the husband to be the head, and for him to protect, provide for, and cherish his wife. Ephesians says that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. (5:25) Wives in turn are told to submit themselves to their own husbands just as the church is in submission to Christ.
Notice that the failure of one spouse does not excuse the other from fulfilling his or her own Scriptural role. Wives with unbelieving husbands are the context in which our passage in 1 Peter appears. It is there to encourage and admonish wives that their meekness in submission even to an unsaved, ungodly husband is a powerful tool in the hand of the Holy Spirit.
The wife characterized by the inner beauty of a meek and quiet spirit silently but eloquently pleads the truth of the gospel in a way that words could never do. Why? Because submission from a meek and quiet spirit is a mark of a heart transformed by the power of God.
As women, we are to adorn ourselves with the beauty that will never fade: a meek and quiet spirit. But meekness is not just for marriage. The single Christian woman also has a responsibility to adorn herself likewise with meekness as she interacts with the authorities God has placed in her life.
Meekly Restore
Meekness is also needed when dealing with those who have fallen into sin. Galatians 6:1 instructs us,
“Bretheren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Spirit-led Christians will at times find themselves helping their fellow Christians up when they have fallen into sin. This passage tells us that this ought to be done in meekness, with the realization that we, too, could fall into sin, just as easily as our Christian brother or sister. This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 10:12, which says,
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
We must never underestimate the weakness of our flesh. We are each capable of more grievous sin than we could ever imagine: the only thing standing between us and the depths of depravity is the grace of God.
When God calls us to minister to a fallen brother or sister in Christ, we must always do so in meekness, wary of the pride that will set us up for a fall of our own.
2 Timothy also addresses the attitude of correction:
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2:24-26)
Meekness does not excuse or enable sin, but approaches the sin-bound in humility and patience, taking time to deal gently with them while teaching them what God’s Word has to say about their sin and the victory they can have in Christ. Meekness is unflappable in the face of bluster or insult and is constant in the face of inconsistency. It puts the love and mercy of God on display while also upholding God’s truth and holiness.
1 Peter 3:15-16 points out that we must also use meekness in sharing the gospel with unbelievers.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”
Meekness refuses to get pulled into a petty argument. It is never condescending or holier-than-thou, it simply gives a reason for the hope of Christ: a hope which should be on display in our lives for all to see.
Titus 3:2 also mentions meekness:
“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
Like the passage above from 1 Peter, this verse follows an admonishment for believers to be in submission to their authorities. Throughout Scripture, meekness and willing submission go hand-in-hand. True meekness trusts that God knew what He was doing when He gave us the authorities in our lives.
Meekness is not just for our interaction with authorities, however. Notice that this verse tells us to show meekness “unto all men.”
All.
That means there is no excuse for a Christian to respond to anyone else without meekness. Aren’t you glad meekness is the fruit of the Spirit, and not something we must work up on our own?
As Christians, we are called to submit to the Holy Spirit in every area of life. As we yield to Him, He will give us power to respond in meekness rather than pride. That meekness will not only allow us to have a greater influence for Christ with those around us, it will also enable us to be teachable and to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)