“Blessed are the meek [in spirit], for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
“28Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
“22But the fruit of the spirit is… 23gentleness…(meekness)…” (Galatians 5:22-23a)
“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)
The Beatitudes are about learning to make changes in our lives as the Holy Spirit directs. The Holy Spirit knows those areas where we’ve blown it, and He hasn’t come to rub it in – He’s come to rub them out! God hasn’t come to condemn us, but to change us.
Why is meekness important in my life?
Grimaced faces. Hurried living. Curt answers. These are all indicators that someone needs a revival of meekness (gentleness). I see it all the time - people who feel like their lives are out of control. They feel powerless. Even though God’s word says they are “more than conquerors,” they feel like the conquered.
Do you know what it means to be a conqueror? The word means, “one who overcomes by gaining control.” It’s strength under control. This, by the way, is our definition of the beatitude of gentleness. That is exactly what the beatitudes are all about - learning how to gain control in these nine vital areas of our lives.
The beatitudes are as much about what you believe as how you behave. Dear one always remember, this is not about living a life; this is about building a life. The beatitudes are building blocks for a life that is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Some look at this text and equate meekness with weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Simply put, the word meekness or gentleness is the opposite of pride, stubbornness, and hard-headedness. Gentleness is the ability to remain cool when others get heated.
There is nothing weak about ruler-ship. That’s what happens when a believer walks in meekness - God gives them ruler-ship privileges in the present age and in the age to come. God wants to provide the proper leadership so His church can fulfill the Great Commission and Great Commandment, and he clearly chooses meek people to place in those positions; meek people, not weak people. In fact, no person ever rises to a place of leadership while being weak or receding into the background.
These first three beatitudes are designed to awaken and tame our carnal man so others can see the life of the Spirit working within us. And when the life of the Spirit is at work, you are rewarded with an inheritance of leadership and ruler-ship. You become a trustee to an inheritance, in this case, one given to you by God. Let me suggest a few scenarios and let you analyze your meekness or gentleness quotient:
Ø Do you have the ability to stay cool when those around you become hostile?
Ø Can you receive correction and instruction privately and openly with a proper attitude?
Ø Do you offer forgiveness and graciousness to those around you? Gentleness is a virtue that recognizes the mistakes and flaws of others and gives space and wiggle room so those flaws can be corrected.
Now, to live a life of gentleness is not a pipedream. Gentleness truly sets us apart and lifts the heavy load of life as it releases the burdens and gives rest to the weary.
“28Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
Talking about gentleness is one thing, pulling it off is another. Let me recommend six settings where you can manifest this beatitude of gentleness, this Fruit of the Spirit.
Meekness is not Weakness
1. When someone neglects you, be a servant, not demanding.
“…the fruit of the spirit is…gentleness (Galatians 5:23)
One area where gentleness is badly needed is the service industry. You look like you’re open to conviction so let me ask you a question: how do you treat those who serve you? I’m talking about those people you see everyday who help make your life a part of the American dream. Are you impatient while waiting in line at the bank? Do you roll your eyes when someone messes up? Do you get upset when you drive away from your favorite fast food place only to discover your item was forgotten but your wife’s specialty item is clearly marked? It is so easy to be concerned only with us. When that happens, those serving us are reduced to just being a part of the machinery that’s supposed to make life good for us.
I like this study because it is so practical. The first place to practice your gentle and meek spirit is on those who serve you. Oh, by the way, the secret to great service is to treat people with kindness and respect. Teach your kids to say thank you not only in restaurants, but also to their coaches, teachers, and people who work with them. I have lost track of how many times waitresses have said how pleasant our kids are. It not only produces a good feeling and enhances our Christian testimony, it also translates into items on the bill you are not charged for; free dessert for the kids and a general sense of satisfaction and godly pride as a parent.
Some time ago the airline industry produced a study on mean-spirited customers at ticket counters. One agent flat out said, “If people treat me rude, the flight is always oversold. If they treat me nice, I’ll do everything within my power to get them a seat.”
2. When someone hurts you, be forgiving, not begrudging.
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently” (Galatians 6:1)
One of the meanings of gentleness carries the idea of “strength found in gentleness.” Gentleness is the ability to accept hurt without retaliating. Here, Jesus is our model. The Bible reminds, “…as they hurled insults, he did not retaliate.” He sure could have. He had the power.
We’ve all heard the statement, “I don’t get mad, I get even.” God wants us to be able to absorb some blows without striking back. If this is hard for you, work on gentleness. When you react to someone, you are letting that person control your emotions. You’ve lost the battle. No one else can dictate how you react; that decision is yours alone.
Two qualities are needed in the game of restoration: maturity and patience. The word for restore means to “set a bone.” When gentleness is evident in our lives, like a skillful surgeon, we can restore fallen family members. When it comes to helping others, gentleness is a must. If we loose our cool, start to get mad, and lash out, people will not only shut down, they will loose respect and trust in us.
3. When someone disappoints you, be understanding, not demanding.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
Whether it’s a spouse or co-worker, understanding is critical in relationships. You can only be truly understanding when you have gentleness. Can I give you a hint about relationships? If you want to be a success in relationships, remember, the goal is to seek to understand, not be understood. How many times when in conflict do we try so hard to prove our point that we fail to listen? That’s why God gave us two ears and one mouth. James reminds us, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slower still to become angry.” (James 1:19) Understanding is a critical part of relationships.
4. When someone fails you, be gracious, not spiteful.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth “(Matthew 5:4 NASB)
“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)
As the years rolled by, Moses’ leadership was tested from some surprising places and in surprising ways. With all that was happening, he sure didn’t need any opposition from his family. He had more important matters to be concerned about - water for several million people and animals, the Amalakites, the termites and parasites. And how do you set up an adequate judicial system to handle the conflicts and problems of this newly formed nation as they travel through the wilderness? With the newfound freedom from Egypt came a whole new series of problems.
In Numbers 12, Moses’ brother and sister challenged his leadership. Miriam and Aaron confronted Moses because he chose to marry outside the Hebrew family of faith (12:1). They wondered how God could use a person who would stoop so low as to marry an Ethiopian. Filled with a false sense of pride, they thought that perhaps God would speak through them as He had through Moses. They thought they should be held in the same place of honor as Moses. In the end, their presumption got them into trouble.
Now, it’s not like Aaron and Miriam were not without recognition or title. God had assigned them important places in the community as priest and prophetess. These were no small, insignificant places of service in the eyes of the people, or God, for that matter. Yet it wasn’t enough.
It is Moses’ gentle spirit in response to the unfair accusations that I want you to see here. God uses criticism to see if we will stay gentle or react. How do you handle critics? Do you get defensive? Do you feel the need to clear your name?
Moses’ reaction to his brother and sister is really found in the word gentle. It is the Hebrew word, anaw. Usually, it is used only in poetry. The word has two rich meanings that present an accurate picture of Moses’ attitude toward this unfair challenge.
First, according to Gordon J. Wenham of Tyndale House Publishers, the meaning for the word meek or gentle is, “those who are in real poverty and are likely to be exploited.” In verse 11, Moses is vindicated as Miriam stands leprous and Aaron stands pleading for her healing.
Second, the word means a mature and ripened stock of grain with its head bent low and bowed down. As grain grows, newly formed shoots rise quickly above the rest because no heads of grain have formed. With immaturity there is little or no fruit. However, as the grain matures and grows, it begins to bend and sink lower and lower as it places an additional burden of weight on the stalk.
To put it simply, gentleness has to do with controlling our actions and attitudes toward others. It is taking the Christ-road rather than the cultural road of our day. It is being fully in charge of your motivations, attitudes, and actions rather than allowing others to dictate your mood, choices, and even future. Gentleness is being gracious when others fail you.
5. When someone confronts you, be teachable, not unreachable
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…” (Matthew 11:29a)
Oh, this is a hard one for most of us. Who likes to be corrected? I certainly don’t. When it comes to identifying my blind spots and pointing them out, I’d rather have a kidney stone (had one recently…painful).
Would you be surprised if I pulled some insight from Proverbs? Take a look at 13:18: “…whoever heeds correction is honored.” If you want to be like Christ, be teachable and not unreachable. I am impressed with those who can learn from anyone. I admire them. I want to be around those whose attitude says teach me!
As a young ministry student I was taught to find people who are “fat.” Sorry, probably not a good acronym. Let me tell you what is means…faithful, available, and teachable. There you have it, the job description of a worker for the Savior.
The best way to learn is by listening and asking questions. It will be a lonely, mistake-filled life if we resist learning from others. Nobody has all the answers and insights. It’s like the man who was witness in a court of law and the bailiff said, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” The man answered, “If I knew the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I’d be God.” None of us have all the answers.
I love to hear how someone else puts a different slant on something or has a different take. Here is what I have learned: When I need an answer to something, God usually has that answer neatly deposited in the experience banks of someone else’s learning, I just need to access it.
6. When someone restricts you, be praying, not disobeying.
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything…pray... (Philippians 4:5-6a)
What can God do with a servant who walks in gentleness? He can open the door to great exploits. Moses is the best example - plagues that preached and the Red Sea opening and closing at his command.
What was true of Moses was equally true of King David. Nothing is more memorable than his cutting down the Philistine Goliath to David-like size. And why did God use David? He was gentle and humble. Saul was out of his mind and out of options. He would throw anyone in front of the giant, as long as it wasn’t him. Was he ever surprised when a shepherd boy with no military training stepped forward!
Saul suggested that David use his approach and his armor, but it didn’t fit David’s style, his body, or his personality. David was accustomed to less armament and more dependency on God. A sling and few stones were all he needed to get the job done.
The soldiers stood perplexed. Saul closed his eyes. Goliath threatened. Moments later David swung. God intercepted. Like the sound of thunder rattling your windows during a summer storm that sends the kids diving into your bed, the giant hit the ground. Once again God had scored a prophet bull’s eye. Anyone who fails to realize what God can do with a servant that is filled with gentleness rather than military might has rocks in his head.
I saw it again this last summer - the small cathedral in Bethlehem that marks the birthplace of the Savior. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps. There are two entries for pilgrims. One is through the main church, allowing you to admire the grandeur of the ancient building. The other is from Manger Square through a small entry. There is one stipulation. You have to stoop. That’s right, the door is so low you can’t go in standing.
What is true of the entry to the birthplace of Christ is true of those who walk in gentleness - it can’t be done standing, one must stoop and bow. You have to be on your knees if you want to manifest the third beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” So they came, some from the shepherd’s field and some on camels from long distances, to kneel before the One only the meek will see. You can only see Him when you’re kneeling.
