Meekness: A Spiritual
Reinforcement
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and
always be ready to give a defense to everyone who
asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with
meekness and fear.”
I Peter 3:15
As parents, we should set aside time to teach our children character traits that will make
them outstanding, admired citizens. Every day is filled with opportunities for helping them
learn about the character traits we value and want to encourage.
Children)who)demonstrate)Meekness)
show:
…Humbleness
…Gentleness
…Modesty
…Mildness
… Quietness
…Submissive
Meekness is not inclined to anger or resentment; the quality of being patient.
The opposite of meekness is unyielding, arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, self-importance.
Ten Strategies for Cultivating Meekness:
1. Moderate your expectations of others
God knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:14
If God remembers the frailty that is mine, I should also remember the frailty of others.
God remembers that we are dust. You should remember that too. It will help you to grow
in meekness.
2. Find joy in evidences of God’s grace
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is
anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Christians are like houses in different stages of development. None of us are yet what we
will be, but all of us will one day be complete. Learn to rejoice in every evidence of
progress, even if someone’s Christian life is at the very beginning, even if it’s just a big
hole. Thank God for that. Find joy in what God is doing in the lives of others. Learn to
admire the grace of God in them. Remember that any faith, hope or love is a miracle of
God’s grace. Whatever is good, think about these things. This is huge for overcoming
frustration, disappointment, and anger, therefore promoting meekness.
3. Remember how much you have been forgiven
Whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he
was cleansed from his former sins. 2 Peter 1:9
Peter lists the marks of a growing walk with Jesus Christ. He speaks about love,
steadfastness and self-control, which gets to our theme of meekness—strength under
control. He tells us that a person who does not have this, has “forgotten that he was
cleansed from his former sins.” It follows that if you remember how much you have been
forgiven, you will grow in meekness.
4. Take time before you form judgments
Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. James 1:19
David says, “I said in my haste all men are liars” (Psalm 116:11). He jumped to
conclusions, and this led him to make harsh judgments. In the book of Proverbs we read:
“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him”
(Proverbs 18:17). Take time before you form judgments. Spurgeon has a wonderful
phrase here: “Little pots soon boil over.” Some people are like that. As soon as they hear
some piece of gossip, they boil over with indignation. They make immediate judgments
without even knowing if a thing is true. Don’t be a little pot that soon boils over. Be quick
to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger… Take time before you form judgments.
5. Make friends with meek people
Make no friendship with a man given to anger… lest you learn his ways and entangle
yourself in a snare. Proverbs 22:24-25
If a person is habitually angry, he or she is not the friend for you. Here’s the reason you
shouldn’t make friends with an angry man: “Lest you learn his ways.” If you sit over lunch
listening to the conversation of a person who is constantly complaining, the habit of their
heart will rub off on you. You may work or even worship beside someone who is
habitually angry. The Bible says “Don’t choose them as your friend.” Make friends with
meek people. Cultivate closeness with people who will help you to be more like Jesus.
6. Take pleasure in the joys of others
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15
Meekness means you are glad for others who have more, as you are sorry for others who
have less. Meekness allows you to find joy, not so much in what God has given to you, but
in what God has given to others: “I don’t have much money but at least other people have
more! My health is poor but at least other people are well. My son or daughter is
struggling but at least my friend’s son or daughter is doing well.”
Rejoice with those who rejoice! That’s meekness and it is only possible by the Spirit of
God. Be intentional about rejoicing in the good gifts that God has given to others, but not
to you.
7. Discern God’s hand in the work of your enemies
“Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given Me?” John 18:11
At one level, you could say that the suffering of Jesus on the cross was a direct result of
the decision of Judas to betray Him and the judgment of Pilate to condemn Him. On the
cross, Jesus could have said “Look what Judas has done to Me! Look what Pilate has done
to Me.” But Christ did not do that. He looked to his Father: “The cup that the Father has
given Me.” He discerned the hand of God, even in the work of His enemies. Look at Jesus
on the cross. When His enemies have done their worst, they cannot overcome Him. See the
glory of the Son of God as He says, “Father forgive them, they do not know what they are
doing.” That’s what you want to be like, isn’t it?
8. Walk daily in fellowship with Jesus Christ
“Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29
A yoke joins two animals, so that they can pull the plough together as they walk side-byside. Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you. Yoke yourself to Me. Walk with Me, and learn
from Me. I am meek, and this is how you will find rest for your soul.” None of us have
meekness by nature. It comes from the presence of Jesus Christ in the life of a Christian.
And it grows as you imitate the Savior to whom you have bound yourself and with whom
you have chosen to walk.
9. Anticipate all that God has promised
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
Inherit is a wonderful word. It speaks of a relationship in which something that belongs to
someone else is willed, by their kindness, to you. When God adopted you into His family,
He also placed you in His will. That’s why Peter said, “You have an inheritance. It can
never perish. It can never fade, and it is kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:4). When God
creates a new heaven and a new earth, who will He give it to? The meek. There are people
who have much more than you do, but you can be happy for them, why? Because all
things are yours in Christ Jesus.
10. Ask God to give you meekness
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach,
and it will be given him. James 1:5
Then James describes the wisdom God gives: “The wisdom from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits” (James 3:17). Lord, You
said that a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in Your sight. Please give me that spirit.
Help me to curb this harsh tongue. Keep me from rash judgments, and help me to think the
best of others. Help me to discern Your hand working for my good, even when I face great
difficulties, opposition and sometimes wounds. Help me to find pleasure in the joy of
others. Help me to walk with Jesus Christ, so that a reflection of Your meek Son, Jesus
Christ, may be formed in me today.
How to Demonstrate Meekness
to God
Some of the rights we must surrender to the Lord:
• Our Body (Romans 12:1-2; Mark 14:36)
• Our Time (Matthew 6:33)
• Our Health (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• Our Possessions (Job 1:21)
• Our Talents (1 Corinthians 4:7)
• Our Family & Friends (Matthew 10:37,40)
Our Reputation ( Philippians 2:3-11; John 3:30)
• Our Future (Matthew 6:34)
• Give the Lord the first part of your day by spending it alone with Him in His Word
• Give the Lord the first ten percent (tithe) from your income
to Parents
• Making my own wishes secondary to the instructions and wishes of my parents
• Purpose to obtain your parents’ blessing before marriage
• Refuse to grumble and complain about restrictions your parents place on you
to your Employers
• Follow your employer’s instructions without insisting that things be done YOUR
way
• Refuse to get angry or upset when someone else is promoted over you
to your Church Leaders
• Avoid disagreeing with your pastor or church leaders in public
•
The “I Wills” of Meekness
• I will not boast.
• I will look for ways to help those in need.
• I will be willing to go last.
• I will not grumble or complain.
• I will be slow to get angry.
Character Definition of Meekness
• Yielding my personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve others
• Responding properly to anger when others violate personal rights
• Learning to earn the right to be heard rather than demanding a hearing
• The ability or tendency to endure injury with patience and without resentment
Bible Stories Related to Meekness
• Abraham and Lot – Genesis 13: Abraham was willing to yield his rights in order to
have peace.
• Moses – Mosses is described as being the meekest man of all time. Numbers 12:3;
Numbers 14
• David & Saul – 1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I
should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine
hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
• The Lord Jesus Christ Who was willing to yield His rights to provide salvation. See
Philippians chapter 2.
1. Christ yielded His right to wealth.
2. Christ yielded His right to a good reputation.
3. Christ yielded His right to be served.
4. Christ yielded His right to physical comforts.
5. Christ yielded His right to make His Own decisions.
“It's important to memorize Scripture in order to stand strong during life's difficult
circumstances. When you have Bible verses inscribed in your mind, you're carrying a
concealed weapon. You're wielding the sword of the Spirit.” (Dr. David Jeremiah) With
your family, meditate on these passages about Meekness during the month of January,
and begin laying up His words in your heart.
Titus 3:2 - To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness
unto all men.
Matthew 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.
Psalms 25:9 - The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
Psalms 37:11 - But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the
abundance of peace.
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.
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.
Numbers 12:3 - Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon
the face of the earth.
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:
Romans 12:14 - Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.