Fruits of the Spirit - Meekness

by Randy Folliard

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

As noted in previous installments, these nine attributes form the foundation or bedrock of what it is to be a believer in Messiah. If we desire to emulate and follow in the footsteps of our Savior, then we must adopt and live by the characteristics we find here. It’s not enough to simply keep the Sabbath and other commandments, but we must go beyond this and change who are on in the inside.

In Matthew 23, Yahshua refers to what He calls the weightier matters – judgment, mercy, and faith. I believe the attributes we see in Galatians 5 would also be considered the weightier matters.

Does this mean, then, that commandments like the Sabbath are not important? The answer is obviously not; Yahweh’s commandments are critically important. We know that Yahshua and the apostles, including Paul, faithfully observed the commandments including the Sabbath and Feast days. Is it possible to obey these commandments and yet NOT be found worthy of the first resurrection? Based on the pitiful examples of the Scribes of Pharisees, this is a very real possibility. And for this reason we must not only focus on the outward commandments, but also on how we must change inwardly.

Continuing with this series on the fruits of the spirit, we now focus on meekness.

Meek Doesn’t Mean Weak

As we’ve done with the previous spiritual fruits, let’s first define what this word means in the Greek. According to Strong’s Concordance, “meekness” is prautes and means, “mildness, i.e. (by implication) humility.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines it as “mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness.”

Meekness, also known as humility, is one of the most important attributes to have as a believer. As such the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “humility” as “freedom from pride or arrogance or the quality or state of being humble.”

If we’re going to follow the examples of Yahshua the Messiah our Savior, we must be humble. In some ways pride is our worst enemy. Consider all the instances in your life when you allowed pride to control the response and outcome. In those cases, more often than not we probably said or did something that we later regretted. And it’s precisely for this reason that meekness or humility is so important.

The Greek word for meekness is found only three other times in the New Testament. Let’s now review these three instances, beginning with 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.” (RSB)

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (NIV)

The message here in James is that we must remove all filth and immorality from our lives. This is necessary for drawing close to Yahweh.

To receive the engrafted Word with meekness simply means to accept the Word and humbly surrender our lives to the will of Almighty Yahweh. This is one of the most important concepts; if we’re going to humble ourselves before Yahweh we must realize that our lives are not ours but belong to Him.

We also see the phrase, “engrafted word.” This idiom conveys the idea that Yahweh’s Word should be within and part of us. Hebrews 8:10 says it should be implanted within our hearts and minds. When the Word is rooted within us, it drives our behavior and actions. So, let’s ask ourselves: Have we

removed filth and immorality from our lives? Can we say we’ve accepted Yahweh’s Word with meekness and humility? Has His Word been implanted deep within, driving our behavior and actions? Only we can answer these questions for ourselves.

Living by Example

The next instance of prautes is found in 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.”

James begins this passage by asking who is wise and knowledgeable and then explains that we can display this wisdom by a good conversation and with meekness. The word “conversation” is from the Greek anastrophe and means, “behavior.” So, we see that a person of wisdom and knowledge will show the characteristics through his behavior.

A good behavior means we show consideration, kindness, and patience to others. We avoid immorality and those things that offend our Heavenly Father and we set a positive example that others can follow. In essence, good behavior is doing what is right to our fellow man and to the One we worship.

James also admonishes to show meekness of wisdom. Barnes’ Notes interprets this phrase as, “With a wise and prudent gentleness of life; not in a noisy, arrogant, and boastful manner. True wisdom is always meek, mild, gentle; and that is the wisdom which is needful if men would become public teachers. It is remarkable that the truly wise man is always characterized by a calm spirit, a mild and placid demeanor, and by a gentle, though firm, enunciation of his sentiments.”

This phrase, then, simply refers to a person who shows a behavior that is calm, mild, or kind, obviously ruling out the arrogant and haughty individual. That is one difference between Yahweh’s wisdom and man’s. Yahweh’s wisdom requires that a person remain humble and meek. It doesn’t matter who we are or what position we have in this life, we are all filthy rags compared to Yahweh.

Have a Ready Answer

The last example of prautes is in 1Peter 3:15. “But sanctify Yahweh Elohim 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.” Peter exhorts us to sanctify Yahweh in our hearts. According to Strong’s, “sanctify,” from the Greek hagiazo, means, “to make holy or to venerate.” As believers we’re to venerate, meaning to esteem and honor the One we worship.

Peter also says we’re to have a ready answer to all who might ask about the hope within us. This is one reason we must know the Word. We should be able to explain to others why we observe the Sabbath and Feast days, along with why we insist on using Yahweh and Yahshua’s Names.

We should also be able to clarify why we refrain from worshiping on Sunday and holidays like Easter and Christmas. We should also be able to explain why we don’t believe in the Trinity, going to heaven or hell, and many of the other errors we find in popular theology. But to do this, we must know the Word, which means we must actively study the Word.

Lastly, Peter encourages witnessing in meekness and fear. The Greek word for “fear” is phobos, which Strong’s defines as, “to be put in fear.” The KJV translates this word as to “be afraid, to be afraid exceedingly, fear, and terror.” When we witness we should do so with a healthy dose of humility along with fear in realizing that we are witnessing the most important Word in this universe.

We might compare it to the meekness and fear that Aaron had when going into the Holy of Holies. Witnessing and sharing Yahweh’s truth is a tremendous and awesome responsibility and one that we’re not to take lightly.

Blessed are the Meek

There is a special blessing for the meek or humble, which we see in both Psalm 37:11 and Matthew 5:5. “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Ps. 37:11). “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).

In both these passages we find the same promise, i.e., inheritance of the earth by those deemed meek. We know from the Word that those found worthy will reign and rule with Yahshua the Messiah in the Kingdom. We find this promise in Revelation 5:10: “And hast made us unto our Elohim kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

Two important points are shown in this passage. First, those found worthy will rule as a kingdom of priests with Yahshua in the millennial Kingdom, and second, they are going to reign on earth.

This is why the promise we find in Psalm 37 and Matthew 5 is prophetic in nature. We’re going to inherit the earth as a kingdom of priests at the Second Coming of Yahshua the Messiah. But, remember, humility is an absolute must for those found worthy of this promise.

Meekness in Heart

Psalms 25:9 illustrates another blessing for the meek. The Restoration Study Bible reads, “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way,” while the New International Version expounds, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”

We might ask, how does humility or meekness guide and teach us of Yahweh’s ways? The answer’s quite simple, Yahweh works only with those meek in heart. Meekness allows Him to mold a person according to His ways or to His image.

When I think about humility I think about a soft clump of clay. You can mold and shape that soft piece of clay in whatever form you desire. Conversely, when I think about pride, I think of a hard and dried-out chunk of clay, which cannot be molded or formed. This is why Yahweh can guide and teach the humble, but not the proud.

One man who stands out from the rest when it comes to meekness is Moses. Numbers 12:3 describes him: “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”

No wonder Yahweh called and blessed Moses in so many ways. I think this tells us something about the type of person our Heavenly Father is looking for in a believer. He could have called any man to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. He could have chosen a born leader who had strength, courage, and charisma. Instead, he chose Moses, a man who was not known for any of these characteristics. What Moses lacked there he more than made up for in humility

and meekness.

Two lessons stand out here: Yahweh’s idea of a leader is less about charisma and more about humility, and Yahweh calls and promotes the humble.

‘Choose Someone Else’

For a moment, let’s think back to when Moses was called at the burning bush. When Yahweh told Moses to return to Egypt to free His people Israel, how did Moses respond? He begged Yahweh to send someone else and he made excuses, including that he was slow

of speech, which is why Yahweh also called Aaron to be spokesman for Moses.

Moses was not called because of his courage or strength; he was chosen because he was humble and Yahweh knew He could work with him. Remember, Yahweh hasn’t changed (Mal. 3:6); He’s still very much looking for the humble and meek. He is less concerned about charisma and presence and more concerned about meekness and humility.

Consider this, Yahweh can give a humble man charisma and presence, but He can do nothing with a man full of pride, like a hard clump of clay that is not moldable and worthless.

Humbleness of Mind

Paul addresses pride in Romans 12:3. “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 Elohim

hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Here Paul warns against being prideful and thinking too highly of ourselves. As believers we’re all to remain humble, no matter our station in life, rich or poor, minister or layperson. Yahweh is calling the meek and humble, not the proud and arrogant.

A similar message is found in Colossians 3:12-13. “Put on therefore, as the elect of Elohim, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Messiah forgave you, so also do ye.”

We see many lessons in this passage by Paul who begins by describing believers in the Messiah. He calls them the elect of Elohim, also holy and beloved. The word “elect” comes from the Greek eklektos and means, “favorite.” Yahweh favors those in the Messiah.

Paul also makes references to “holy” and “beloved.” The word “holy” is from the

Greek hagios and refers to something that is sacred or morally blameless and “beloved” (Greek agapao) means “to love.” As we consider these definitions, we should realize the depth of love and favor that Yahweh has for His elect.

Also mentioned are bowels of mercies which refer to pity or compassion. We’ve reviewed the need for compassion and mercy in past installments. Like forgiveness, if we don’t show mercy, Yahweh will not show

mercy to us.

Kindness is another attribute that Paul mentions in the above passage. This comes from chrestotes, a Greek word that we should all be somewhat familiar with. This is the same Greek word for gentleness that we find in the fruits of the spirit. Strong’s defines this word as, “moral excellence (in character or demeanor).”

Paul goes on to mention humbleness of mind and meekness. As we’ve seen throughout this installment, humility is such an important attribute for those in Messiah. In fact, it’s one of the defining characteristics for a believer. Without meekness, we will not be found worthy of Yahweh’s Kingdom.

Lastly, Paul also mentions longsuffering, forbearance, and forgiveness. It’s crucial that as believers we’re able to show patience and forgiveness, especially to one another. But this is also true even of our enemies and for those whom we may dislike, for Yahshua commanded us to love our enemies and pray for them. If we have grievance against someone, we’re to forgive them as Yahshua forgave us.

Submission of a Child

In Matthew 18:1-4, Yahshua compares believers to a little child. “At the same time came the disciples unto Yahshua, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Yahshua called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Yahshua explains that we must be converted and become like little children to enter into Yahweh’s Kingdom. The word “converted” comes from the Greek strepho, which Strong’s defines as, “to twist, i.e. turn quietly around or reverse.”

This sounds a lot like repentance. Some believe repentance is only a verbal confession of remorse. But as we see from the Greek, repentance is a turning around and living a different way.

Now how are we to become like little children? We’re to be humble or meek, including the notion of being submissive. If we are not humble and submissive to our Heavenly Father, we will not be found worthy of His Kingdom. Humility and submission go hand-in-hand; you can’t have one without the other, important concepts when it comes to our relationship with Yahweh.

He’s looking for a people who are humble and willing to submit to His Word, which is why pride and arrogance will not work for a believer in Messiah. When it comes to Yahweh and to Yahshua the Messiah, we must have the humility and submission of a little child.

Paul also speaks of submission in Philippians 2:2-5. “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Messiah Yahshua:”

Here we read about unity and love within the assembly and removing strife and conceit. Paul also refers to walking in lowliness of mind, which is meekness or humility. Part of this includes thinking more of others than we do of ourselves, which, for human nature is a very hard thing to do. Most people naturally think of themselves first and others only secondarily. But as believers in the Messiah this is not how we should think.

Paul closes here by saying we should have this mind within us, as was also in Yahshua the Messiah. There’s a lot to say about having the mind of Messiah, but one way is by adopting the same humility He had during His ministry.

Everything we do should follow and mimic the Messiah. Yahshua came to serve and not to be served. Everything He did was an example of humility to either His Heavenly Father or to mankind. As believers in Him, we’re to follow in this pattern.

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