The Fruit Of The Spirit, Meekness & Temperance Series

The Fruit of the Spirit

Meekness and Temperance

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Mark 4:20 (NKJV) But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

John 15:8 (NKJV) “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

John 15:16 (NKJV) You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

As we have been seeing, God is into the fruit bearing business and He desires to do a work within us that will produce good works on the outside of us.

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

So far we have looked at 7 fruits, Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering & Gentleness, Goodness and Faith.

Meekness:

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

This week where going to look at the last 2, Meekness and Temperance

Few people think of "meekness" as a desirable attribute. Most assume that if a person is "meek," She or he must be "weak." To these people, a meek person is one who is timid, shy, bashful, or perhaps introverted.

But this an incorrect view of the New Testament word for "meekness." In fact, "meekness" is one of the strongest attributes a person can possess, with a unique strength that has a dramatic impact on all it touches.

So what is "meekness?" The word "meekness" comes from the Greek word prautes, which shows the attitude or demeanor of a person who is forbearing, patient, and slow to respond in anger; one who remains in control of himself in the face of insults or injuries. In the Greek language, the word prautes ("meekness") conveys the idea of a high and noble ideal to be aspired to in one's life. Although an injurious situation may normally produce a rash or angry outburst, a meek person is controlled by kindness, gentleness, mildness, or even friendliness.

The word "meekness" pictures a strong-willed person who has learned to submit his will to a higher authority. He isn't weak; he is controlled. He may in fact possess a strong will and a powerful character; he may be a person who has his own opinion. But this person has learned the secret of submitting to those who are over him.

Thus, he is one who knows how to bring his will under control. In rare instances, the word prautes ("meekness") was used to describe wild animals that had become tame because it correctly conveyed the idea of a wild, fierce will under control.

This means when the Spirit is producing meekness in your life, you are controlled even in difficult circumstances. Rather than fly into a rage and throw a temper tantrum, you are able to remain silent and keep your emotions and temper under control. If you find yourself in a situation that you fiercely believe is wrong, you are still able to stay silent until the appropriate moment to speak or until you have been asked for your opinion. You know how to control yourself and your emotions.

In addition to these meanings, the word "meekness" was also used in a medical sense to denote soothing medication to calm the angry mind. A meek person doesn't project the countenance of one who is offended, upset, angry, or reactive to insults or injuries. Instead, he is so gentle and mild in his response that he becomes soothing medicine for the angry or upset soul, or for a troublesome or unsettling situation.

OK, So let's take a moment to examine the way we respond to insults, injuries, or volatile situations. Do we find that we are often a contributor to a heated and potentially explosive atmosphere? Or does our presence bring peace into the midst of the conflict? When others say or do something that could offend you, do you quickly retort with a harsh answer, or are you able to control your emotions and temper, remaining silent until a more appropriate time to speak?

The flesh loves to rage out of control, but when meekness is being produced in us by the Holy Spirit, it will make us careful and controlled. Your very presence will become God's soothing medication for angry, upset people, and you will impart peace to situations that hitherto were unsettling and unstable.