Set 3 - Meeting 3: Meekness
Meekness: humbly patient under provocation from others
Synonyms: forbearing, unassuming, calm, gentle, kind, submissive
Bible Dictionary: a calm temper of mind, not easily provoked.
Dying to self / Giving up your rights
Peculiar promises are made to the meek:
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Isaiah 66:2 “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined:
Col. 3:12 - 13 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (tender mercies), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, also do ye.”
1 Tim. 6:11 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Zeph. 2:3 “Seek ye that LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment (upheld His justice); seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.”
Meekness exemplified in:
Christ
Matt. 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
1 Peter 2:23 “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.”
Abraham
Gen. 13 Abraham and Lot separate
Moses
Num. 12:3 “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.”)
David
2 Sam. 16:10, 12 Shimei curses David
Paul
1 Cor. 9:19 “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”
Main Concepts:
Arguments, disagreements, and irritations are struggles we all face - probably everyday. Only with meekness will we be able to respond to these conflicts in a biblical way. Just as Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath, so a meek response softens hearts and changes attitudes. If you learn this difficult quality now, it will benefit your whole life and all of your future relationships (parents, siblings, friends, marriage, etc.)
Meekness is trusting God to protect us, our reputation, our possessions, etc, rather than “fighting” for these things ourselves. It is important to understand that everything we own actually belongs to God. We can trust Him to take care of His own property and realize that there is no reason for us to respond in anger. This perspective enables us to show meekness in everyday situations.
