Meekness in Scripture The Character of God
Key Concepts
• Learning from the meekness of Jesus gives rest to our souls. (See Matthew 11:29.)
Meekness begins when we truly trust God. As we grow in trusting God and His good will, we learn He is trustworthy. Seeing His faithfulness motivates us to yield our plans to Him, because we know His will is best. (See Psalm 37:5–11.)
• J esus had the authority to call thousands of angels at any moment. Instead of using this power to save His life, He yielded His life to save us for eternity. (See Matthew 26:52–54.) •M eekness is a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. (See Galatians 5:22–23.)
Meekness in My Life •C olossians 3:12—What attitudes does God desire believers to exhibit? •P roverbs 16:32—What is better than being strong physically and victorious in battle? •R omans 6:13—Am I quick to yield to God in all circumstances? • J ames 1:19–21—What must I lay aside and replace with meekness in order to receive God’s Word into my life? • James 3:13—What are two characteristics that should accompany our deeds? • I Peter 5:5—How does God reward those who humbly submit to each other? Numbers 12:3 says that Moses was the meekest man on the earth. Discuss how God used the events in Moses’ life to produce the quality of meekness in him. Here are some of those events: Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s household, spent forty years tending flocks in the desert, was called by God through the burning bush, saw the ten plagues, led the Israelites out of Egypt through the Red Sea, was blamed for problems in the wilderness, experienced Israel’s first battle, and received the Ten Commandments.
A meek person is more concerned about others than himself. The Greek word for meekness is praotes and means “gentleness,” implying humility. It is our love for God and others that gives us joy to gladly make sacrifices for them. This unselfishness keeps unity in the body of Christ. (See Ephesians 4:1–4.) Meekness is tested when others are rude to us. When we are under the control of the Holy Spirit, we will not be controlled by revenge, anger, and bitterness, but will instead return good for evil. (See I Peter 2:22–24.)
Pictures of Meekness A valuable gem: I Peter 3:4 describes meekness as an “ornament” of great price in God’s eyes. A meek and quiet spirit is a beautiful jewel. A horse: In Job 39:19, it is noted that God has given the horse great strength. Before training, a horse’s strength is uncontrolled, dangerous, and useless. But once a horse is brought under control and is yielding to direction, its energy can be channeled into amazing avenues of productivity, giving much profit and enjoyment to the rider. Do we respond to God with meekness—wholly and willingly yielding our strength to Him for His Kingdom?
©2016 Institute in Basic Life Principles • iblp.org
• J esus came not to do His own will but the will of His Father Who sent Him. (See John 6:38.)