Meekness: Gentle Strength in a Loud World
Intro: Biblical meekness is "strength under control"—a powerful, gentle, and humble spirit that chooses restraint over retaliation. It is rooted in trust in God rather than self-assertion.
It is an inward quality that God Himself highly values in people: 1 Peter 3:4 rather let it (adornment) be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
Modeled by Jesus, meekness exhibits itself in daily life through patient endurance, calm composure, determination to do good while sacrificing privileges for the good of others.
I) Jesus is meek (It’s what makes Him SO STRONG).
A) Matthew 21:5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'behold, your King is coming to you, lowly (meek, KJV) and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.
1) Jesus isn’t strong in spite of His meekness; He is strong because of His meekness.
B) He invites us to “learn from Him” meekness and lowliness. Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” The KJV has “meek and lowly.” The NET has “gentle and humble.”
C) The meekness of Christ is emulated by His followers.
1) In the way we fight for the right. 2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2) In what we see as wise leadership (politicians, bosses, elders, husbands, parents). James 3:13-17 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
(a) “Meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all” (W.E. Vine)
(b) Bitter envy and self-seeking are predominant traits of earthly wisdom.
3) In Jesus, we learn that to have dominion does not require one to be domineering
(a) Christ has all dominion. 1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(b) We extend his dominion in us and through us by patience, and longsuffering, and joy. Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power (dominion), for all patience and longsuffering with joy
(c) And servanthood. Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 20:25-28 “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant…28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many
(a) The KJV has “exercise dominion” for both “lord it over” and “exercise authority.” The former literally means “to bring under one’s power, subdue” (GR. ?ata????e?´?).
(b) The Holman Christian Standard versions says “dominate them.”
II) Meekness is to be exhibited in everyday life–like clothes you wear and the way you walk.
A) Meekness is part of the spiritual clothing Christians wear. Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
B) It is a way we are to walk. Ephesians 4:1-2 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called 2 with all lowliness and gentleness (meekness), with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
C) Meekness means we let go of our rights. We realize that our “logical” privileges and rights aren’t greater than our calling as a child of God
III) The daily life of the Meek.
A) Meekness is seen in Correction and Conflict: Choosing Gentleness Over Force.
1) Meekness is not weakness; it is having the ability to use force but choosing not to. It is shown by holding back from demanding our own way or retaliating.
2) Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League baseball. Branch Rickey as the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, recruited him to play for the very purpose of breaking the color barrier. When Branch Rickey explained to Jackie Robinson what he wanted, Jackie licked his lips and swallowed and said, “Mr. Rickey, do you want a Negro who’s afraid to fight back?” Rickey replied, “I want a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back!” Rickey then cited Jesus statement in Matthew 5:39, “Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” True strength was needed to withstand hatred for the sake of a greater cause. Robinson said, “Give me a uniform with a number on the back, and I’ll give you the guts.”
3) Game after game, day after day, Jackie Robinson endured unspeakable abuse both on and off the field with meekness.
4) He would later say, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie became baseball’s first rookie of the year.
• He played in six World Series and helped his team win the 1955 World Series, where he famously stole home! Fans chose him to play in six All Star games.
• He won the 1949 National League Most Valuable Player, the first black player to do so, and was later inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame
• But mainly, baseball and the world were changed forever.
• Today, his Number 42, the number given to him on the back of his uniform, is retired by all major league teams—no other player in the game’s history will wear Number 42. Except every year on April 15, all players, coaches, and managers wear #42 to celebrate the anniversary of Robinson's debut.
5) In conflict, turn the other cheek. Responding calmly or not at all to a hateful FB post, choosing not to get the last word in an argument, forgiving quickly rather than holding a grudge. Concerning yourself with having a positive impact on the life of every person you meet, instead of making sure you get your way… get what you wanted, when you wanted it, and the way you wanted it.
6) When corrected, accept it gladly: Psalms 141:5 Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
7) When correcting others, be gentle and stay aware of your own failings:
(a) 2 Timothy 2:24-25 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
(b) Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
B) Meekness is seen in Submissiveness: Trusting God’s Sovereignty
1) Meekness, or praos in Greek, signifies a submissive spirit toward God’s will, accepting His guidance even when difficult. It is likened to a horse that has been tamed, having power but acting under the "Master’s hand".
2) The meek are easily guided by the Lord.
(a) "The meek he will guide in judgment" (Psalm 25:9).
(b) Psalm 32:8-9 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
(c) The mighty stallion who puts all of his power at the disposal of his rider.
3) Accepting uncomfortable circumstances (like a difficult job or loss) with peace, trusting God’s timing instead of rushing to fix everything with selfish ambition.
C) Meekness is seen in Relationships: Serving Others with Humility.
1) Meekness moves us away from comparing ourselves to others or needing to be the center of attention. It is characterized by a teachable spirit and a desire to serve.
2) "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3, ESV).
3) Actively listening to others, accepting constructive criticism, and serving behind the scenes without needing recognition (John 13).
D) Meekness in Conversation: Controlling the Tongue to edify others A major way meekness is displayed is through a "quiet and gentle spirit" in communication. It is characterized by being quick to listen and slow to speak.
1) "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy..." (James 3:17, ESV).
2) Titus 3:2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility (meekness) to all men.
3) "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Prov. 15:1).
4) Resisting the urge to contradict, tear down, or humiliate … choosing words that build up and edify. (Ephesians 4:29).
Conclusion: Meekness is a life of "power under control" that reflects Jesus’s own character, leading to peace and a "blessed" life.
