Bread From Heaven

Fruits of the Spirit - Meekness

Dear God,
Thank you for making your Spirit visible in us. Thanks for developing us and growing our faith in you. Teach us what it means for us to produce the fruit of meekness in our lives.
In Christ’s name,
Amen

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

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What is meekness?

meekness - the fact or condition of being meek; submissiveness.
Meek - quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive.
Humble - having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.
Lowly - low in status or importance; humble.
Submissive - ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive.
Forbearing - patient and restrained.
Self-control - the ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires or the expression of them in one's behavior, especially in difficult situations.
Mild - acting gently and without causing harm; not intense or extreme; not severe, serious, or harsh.

Meekness is strength under control. It is putting others first and esteeming others higher than yourself. It is submitting to authority. Meekness is enduring injury with patience without any resistance. It is being mild, soft in temper, gentle, forbearing and enduring provocations or injury. It is submission to the divine will without complaint.

Meekness is not weakness. It is active, strong, modest, courageous, restrained, and gracious. It genuinely cares about other people. Meekness acknowledges the accomplishments of others. A meek person is not easily provoked. Meekness is power under control.

Exercising meekness may seem like being a door mat for everyone to walk all over, but it is not. Meekness is patience. It is not meanness or surrendering our rights. It is not cowardliness. It produces peace. Anyone can speak their mind, but to keep yourself 100% under control while speaking it isn't always easy.

The Greek word praus means mild, tame, gentle, pleasant, kind, lenient, quiet, friendly, and composed.

Meekness:
-Mildness of disposition
-Gentleness of spirit
-Restraint/Patience
-Controlled strength
-Able to bear reproach without bitterness
-Being gentle in dealing with and correcting others
-To patiently endure offenses

God chose to talk to Moses face to face because he was meek. Meekness leads to faithfulness. When you are faithful, God can trust you. Meekness is relying on God rather than our own strength to defend against injustice. It is not preoccupied with self or how I should be treated. It doesn't worry about what is in it for me. It doesn't blame others or point fingers. It accepts God's dealing with us without dispute or resistance. This is a great value to God.
1 Peter 3:4 ▼

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.

Meekness relates to difficult people with gentle patience, and it is the choice to exercise restraint instead of severity when first approaching an issue with another person. It seeks gentle restoration before harsh discipline in dealing with sin. Meekness is merciful. It is a soothing quality, a gentle attitude of poise and strength.
Galatians 6:1-2 ▼

1 Brethren, 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.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Meekness produces gentle conduct. It is able to take unkind remarks with a good nature. It withholds temper in controversy. It is stability of spirit. Meekness is a humble and kind demeanor that calms another person's anger.

Meekness vs. Humility

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-meekness-and-vs-humility/
According to this website, the difference between meek and humble has to do with the attitude you take between yourself and others. Meekness is the attitude you have towards others. Humility is the attitude you have towards yourself. Meekness and humility involve a lot of different virtues.

Meekness and humility is bowing or kneeling in complete surrender to God's ultimate authority. A meek and humble person loves others and doesn't fret and fight; he waits for the Lord and his timing.

As you can see here Meekness and humility are very similar. Gentleness is blended in this mix of words too. I listed these words with a couple of others with similar and overlapping definitions for the sake of comparison and to delve a little deeper into this subject. I hope this will help us wrap our heads around it a little better. We already looked into gentleness, so this week we will focus on meekness and humility, but I will briefly go over some thoughts about these other words and how they all tie in together.

Lowly

Lowliness is seeing yourself as less important than others. It is not thinking higher of yourself than you should. It is not being a doormat, but considering others before yourself.

Mild

Mildness is not intense or extreme. It is calm and peaceful. It is not brash, rude, sharp, or harsh. Mildness does not cause others harm. It doesn't have any ill intention.

Forbearing

This is being patient and showing great restraint. Forbearance is extreme self control.

Self-Control

Self-control involves several things. It is restraining your emotions, especially negative ones. It is controlling your thoughts and your behaviors. Self-control thinks before it acts. It uses self-restraint. It is keeping control of your temper.

Submissive

Submissiveness is being willing to conform to the authority or will of another. It is hard to picture this as a characteristic of the Almighty God or even his son, Jesus Christ. Yet we are told in the Bible that Jesus was both meek and humble.

Humility

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less often”

C. S. Lewis

Humility is not putting yourself down or blindly trying to please other people. Humility requires balance. It is accepting who you are and your limitations in the grand scheme of things. It is knowing who you are and what you are capable of. It is having self confidence without the need to brag about it or receive recognition.

Humiility:
-Affirms the worth of all people
-Deflates pride and arrogant
-Elevates God and others above self
-Silences gossip and hateful talk
-Eliminates self-righteous criticism and judgement
-Quells anger and revenge
-Projects the golden rule
-Forgives quickly

Humility helps us deal with our own mortality. It allows us to practice self-control. With humility, you don't need immediate gratification. You don't need praise or validation from other people either.

Humble people accept others just as they are without trying to change them. They treat everyone equally. They tend to be more generous and helpful. Humble people don't walk around with a sense of entitlement. Humility does not retaliate or seek revenge.
Leviticus 19:18 ▼

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

Humility is a self awareness without a focus on self. It is submitting ourselves to God and all authority over us. Humility has a proper view of one’s self while putting our focus on others. It is grateful. It is viewing self as unworthy. However it is not low self-esteem or self denigration.
Philippians 2:1-15 ▼

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Humility and honesty are often the two main qualities employers look for in potential employees. Humility is linked to better job performance, excellence in leadership, better social relations, and generosity. Humble people are forgiving, grateful, and cooperative.

The humble person is able to keep their accomplishments, gifts, and talents in a proper perspective. They know themselves and are aware of their limitations. They value the well-being of others. They put the needs of other people before their own needs. Humility does not judge others or point fingers.
Romans 14:4;10;13 ▼

4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Humility leads to good self-esteem because with humility you respect yourself and others. You are able to set good personal boundaries and respect the personal boundaries of others.

1 Peter 5:5-10

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Putting All These Words Together

If you will notice, a lot of the definitions use these words to describe another like word. They are almost interchangeable with small distinct differences. In some ways, meekness and humility include all of these listed above and probably then some, but I think you are getting the idea. You can also see some of the character traits of God and Jesus in these virtues.

Gentleness, meekness, and humility come from God's goodness and his control over the situation. They are like a soothing medicine.
Colossians 3:12-15 ▼

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

God is Meek and humble

Due to the length of this study, I am linking a separate sub-study to this one. Psalms 37 has 40 verses. It is packed full of meekness. It goes with this study, but this breaks it down some for you. "Psalms 37 study"  Also notice how the message in this psalm ties into meekness. This instructs us how we can be meek. It also reveals some of God's meekness of character.

Looking back at the definition of submission, it is not just submitting to authority. It is also simply submitting to the will of another. It is respecting each other's boundaries in a relationship. It is aligning your will with theirs. We are told in the book of John that God will give us whatever we ask him when we ask in the name of Jesus. As we submit to his law, he also submits to our requests and desires as we ask correctly for the right reason with faith in Christ’s name.
John 16:23 ▼

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

John 14:13-14 ▼

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

God is meek in that he is kind, patient, merciful, forgiving, full of Grace, humble, and loving with a sacrificial kind of love. God is self-emptying and not selfish.
John 3:35 ▼

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

John 5:19-23 ▼

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

John 16:13-15 ▼

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Meekness of Jesus

Jesus was meek and lowly, yet he was also powerful. Meekness is a defining attribute of our redeemer.
Matthew 11:28-30 ▼

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
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.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 28:18 ▼

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Jesu was submissive to God the Father.
Luke 22:42 ▼

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Matthew 26:52-53 ▼

52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

philippians 2:5-8 ▼

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Song: He could have called ten thousand angels.
https://youtu.be/hSRgHYUr__8

Jesus rules in meekness. Meekness is a way of being. It is in the very core of Jesus’ personally. It is a part of who he is.
Matthew 21:4-5 ▼

4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Why is meekness necessary?

1. To receive God's Word
James 1:21 ▼

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Psalms 25:9 ▼

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

2. For an effective testimony
1 Peter 3:15 ▼

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:

3. To please God
Micah 6:8 ▼

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

4. To keep unity in the church and to put up with one another
Ephesians 4:1-3 ▼

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

5. To act correctly to provocation
Matthew 5:39-40 ▼

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

6. To forgive
Galatians 6:1 ▼

Brethren, 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.

7. To correct
2 Timothy 2:24-26 ▼

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

8. To have an abundance of peace
Psalms 37:11 ▼

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

9. To show wisdom
James 3:13 ▼

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

10.To receive our eternal reward
2 Peter 3:13 ▼

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Matthew 5:5 ▼

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

You must rule over yourself before you can possess the earth. Jesus wants to help free us from the bonds of this world and not to further entangle us. The meek inheriting the earth should be taken in a spiritual sense, not a physical one.

Meekness leads to satisfaction.
Psalms 22:26 ▼

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Meekness protects us from the wrath of God.
Zepheniah 2:3 ▼

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.

Meekness submits to God's authority.
Isaiah 45:21-23 ▼

21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Putting Meekness into action

Meekness is rooted in self control, requires discernment, and displays humility. God wants us to be bold, seasoned with meekness. Jesus was bold and meek. We are to be made into his likeness. Meekness is boldness under control. We must follow the Holy Spirit’s lead to know when to be bold and when to keep silent. God will give us this spiritual wisdom as we follow his will and seek his face.
Titus 3:1-8 ▼

1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

If our hearts are motivated by anger, pride, or judgement, it is sin. When we speak or act out of a pure heart motivated by obedience to Christ out of pure love, then we are showing meekness. We must allow God to have control over our mouths and attitudes. When we do this, God can bring us to new spiritual levels.
Psalms 141:3 ▼

Jesus wants to help free us from the bonds of this world and not to further entangle us. The meek inheriting the earth should be taken in a spiritual sense, not a physical one.

Without meekness, we are out of control and destruction and chaos will be produced. We must have self-control.
proverbs 25:28 ▼

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Proverbs 16:32 ▼

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

A meek person doesn't fret or fight, he waits on the Lord and his timing. When you practice meekness and self-control, God gives you everything. As we submit to God's will, he gives us all things.
1 Corinthians 3:21-23 ▼

21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

We must remain humble. If we have the right view of ourselves, it is a lot easier to have a right attitude towards others. I believe Romans 12 in verses 3 and 18 could sum the matter up nicely. Don't think more highly of yourself than you should. As much as possible, be at peace with all men.
Romans 12:3;16-18 ▼

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

God's servant must use gentle instruction to lead those who oppose the truth. We are drawn to God by his goodness. God also uses gentle instruction to lead and guide us.

Meekness is trusting in God to defend you. When we lack meekness, we must always be seen as right. We are judgemental we have to be in control. We are defensive and easily offended.

The bottom line is this. We are to seek to love others the way Christ loves us. All of these virtues are made possible by perfect love.
1 Timothy 1:5 ▼

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

“Anyone can become angry, that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - this is not easy.” Aristotle

“Energy out of control is dangerous; energy under control is powerful.”
Rev. Billy Graham

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Resources ▼

http://www.pbgrace.org/meekness.htm

https://prezi.com/p/u1szdfk4rpbg/meek-lowly-of-heart/

https://rpmdaily.net/blog/meekness-isnt-weakness-it-is-strength-under-control

https://slidetodoc.com/following-jesus-101-a-study-in-the-beatitudes/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/15858409/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/9226627/

https://www.slideshare.net/samward1/with-eternitys-values-in-view-4

https://misfitministries.org/word-meekness-in-hebrew-and-greek/

https://www.slideshare.net/lamb_of_god520/fruit-of-spirit

Beatitudes
https://slideplayer.com/slide/3730556/

https://leahmariecarson.com/2017/11/01/strength-in-meekness/

https://www.rachaelcarman.com/character-quality-meekness/

https://www.slideshare.net/chucho1943/hs-09-meekness

https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/257079-the-fruit-of-the-spirit-meekness

https://slideplayer.com/slide/10127622/

http://www.hopeinthehealing.com/2013/10/12/meekness-is-not-weakness/

https://tommyboland.com/2014/07/16/the-meaning-of-meekness/

https://www.slideshare.net/Pacific.Church/signposts-along-2-roads-meekness

https://www.premiergospel.org.uk/Blog/Pride-v-Humility

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-humble-and-vs-humility/

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Humility

https://millennialmagazine.com/2017/06/22/how-humility-can-improve-your-life-the...

https://slideplayer.com/slide/16760346/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/13215302/

https://www.slideshare.net/ElizaPorbos/lets-get-ready-to-humble

https://slideplayer.com/slide/10903816/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/12835002/

https://www.slideshare.net/ekmusibat/how-will-you-measure-your-life

Jesus is my permanent anchor!