Blessed Are The Meek

What is meekness? Most of us think of meekness as weakness. But is it?

“Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

While thinking about what meekness is, I’m satisfied that meekness is actually the character of being gentle and humble.

Gentleness

We see in Galatians chapter five that one of the fruits of the spirit is “gentleness.” But how would I describe gentleness?

Gentleness is controlled power.

For instance: Have you ever noticed someone take a baby in their arms for the first time, especially a man. They may be a bit apprehensive or fearful. Why? Because they have the power to hurt the child, even accidentally. How do they take and hold the baby? Gently.

Being gentle is the ability to use power and influence to do good instead of harm, manipulation, and destruction.

God is good. He has the ability to destroy His creation, but He is gentle toward us.

Humbleness

Being humble is being teachable. It’s voluntarily submitting to instruction and authority.

The Bible says we are to “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6). We are to humble ourselves, meaning that we are to voluntarily submit to God’s instruction and authority.

Meekness

Meekness, in my thinking, and this is not definitive, is a combination of both gentleness and humbleness. This definition certainly makes more sense of Matthew 5:5.

We are to humble ourselves before God. We are to be teachable and submissive to His will and purpose.

We are also to be gentle in our lifestyle toward others, especially toward the weak. Instead of using our influence and power to manipulate, control, and hurt others, we are to be gentle and use our influence and power to edify one another.

This would fulfill the scripture, “The meek shall inherit the earth.”

Stay strong and prepared!