lesson 4
Fruit of the Spirit
Gentleness
(Meekness)
by Jan Patterson
Introduction
~ “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” Zechariah 4:6—not produced in our strength or by determination or following rules . . . These delicate Christian graces are above law as well as beyond. The ruder legal system of commands, sanctioned by punishment, would have no power to produce them; they can only grow in a more genial and softer soil, under the direct influence of the Spirit. ~ Charles Ellicott
~Our “work” is to YIELD. ~The fruit of the Spirit is a unit of virtues combined in CHRISTLIKENESS—it has parts, but is a whole. I. Meekness—Defining, Comparing
and Contrasting
A. What is meekness?
1. “Humbly patient or docile, as [when] under provocation from others; overly submissive and compliant,” (dictionary.com). Another says “showing patience and humility, easily imposed upon, submissive.” **2. “That temper of spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. It is closely linked with humility [because] only the humble heart does not fight against God [or] struggle and contend with Him” (Richard Trench). ** 3. Matthew 11:29, “Take My YOKE upon you and learn from Me, for I am [MEEK] and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 4. Pastor Boyd explained it as “strength under control,” using the analogy of a “meek horse.” So, meekness is not weakness, doing nothing because you have no power. Look at Christ, Who could do anything, but chose not to. 5. Meekness is also that attitude that arises from humility, and disposes us to be docile in heart and mind and therefore in behavior, and accepting of whatever comes to us from others or from God‐‐ realizing that insults and injuries that others may inflict are also from God for His good purposes. (This one is sometimes harder!) 2
6. Meekness is not a surrender of rights. Compare Christ on trial in John 18 – He defended Himself and questioned the treatment of His accusers. Also Paul in Acts 16 where he was wrongly beaten and imprisoned, then secretly released. They were not passionate, nor did they press their rights, or seek vengeance, but submitted themselves to injustice while trusting the God the Father for His ways and vindication of them. What the other person said or did to you or did to you was undoubtedly wrong and cannot be justified, nor did he do it at God's direction. But God permitted him to do it for some wise reason that will yet prove to have been abundantly worthwhile for you. By the time that action reached you, it had become the will of God for you, since to a yielded believer there are no second causes. [The yielded saint] believes the Psalmist's declaration that every step of his life's pathway has been ordered by the Lord. No trial or affliction can reach you who are abiding in Him without His permission. You can, therefore, be confident in every circumstance of life, however baffling, that it has been permitted in your own best interest by the wisest and most loving of fathers, who knows your “load limit” (I Cor. 10:13) ~ Oswald Sanders
7. Meekness produces PEACE. If you are easily ruffled or allow every (seeming) insult or injury to offend you or bring on a passionate response, you are at the mercy of other people and of circumstances in your life, and will not have the peace that accompanies meekness. 3
B. Contrasting and comparing meekness with
gentleness and humility
1. One commentator said, “Humility is the FOUNDATION, Meekness is the HEART RESPONSE, and Gentleness is the OUTWARD BEHAVIOR.” 2. Meekness can’t exist without humility; but is more than gentleness of manner—it is the “infrastructure” and gentleness is the “outside” of the building. 3. Meekness is the OUTCOME of true humility, and the bearing toward others that results from a lowly estimate of self. Meekness stands between [but] holds onto both. ~ Richard Trench
3. Then what is gentleness? It is related to and often translated “kindness.” It includes 3 aspects of dealing with others: a. Moderation, as in Philippians 4:5, KJV. Mrs. Boyd described that word as a “sweet, reasonable disposition.” In Timothy and Titus when addressed to church leaders it means not harsh or severe, but fair, kind, and equitable. b. Clemency, or the absence of exacting punishment even when deserved. See Galatians 6:1, as well as God’s way with us as seen in Psalm 103:8‐14. c. Condescension of a superior to an inferior— cp. Paul in I Thessalonians 2:7, and a mother with her children. 4
Meekness is more a temperament or condition of the heart and mind, and gentleness expresses an active dealing with others. E.g., Gentleness is how God treats us, and meekness is our heart response to Him (and to others). II. Examples of Meekness
A. Bible Examples
1. Moses—Numbers 12:3 says he was the MEEKEST of all men (KJV). Interesting that the OT word which is similar to our NT word actually comes from a root that includes affliction and/or oppression. a. See entire passage where Miriam and Aaron were criticizing Moses, and his response. b. Other times, Moses didn’t keep silent or accept complaints—he was not a doormat, but spoke wisely and truthfully to the people of Israel. c. Where did he learn this meekness? After being raised in the royal household of Egypt, he was sent by God to the desert, for 40 years! 2. Joseph—he endured injustices throughout much of his younger life, in spite of an apparently godly character/behavior: ~from brothers who hated him and sold him ~from Potiphar and his wife’s unfair accusations ~from his co‐prisoners who forgot his help to them Joseph stated his case at times, but did not resist God’s dealings in his life nor resent the injustices of others. 5
3. Sarah—didn’t start out particularly meek. She resisted God’s timing, reacted violently to Hagar’s provocation, and actually laughed at the promise of God. Yet I Peter 3 gives her as an example of “a meek and quiet spirit,” (KJV) so she obviously learned meekness through her sufferings. 4. David—see II Samuel 16:5‐12 where he was fleeing from Absalom and was cursed by Shimei. He trusted God’s allowing of Shimei’s unjust words and treatment, and left vindication to the Lord. 5. Saul never did learn meekness. He continually resisted God’s plans and purposes, and had no peace, no true humility, and experienced madness and misery instead. 6. Job—see Job 42:1‐6. He illustrates the meekness that comes when our faith is sorely tried. God taught him to trust and believe, even when the way is hard and confusing. 7. Peter—Luke 22:31‐32 and John 21:18‐19. He was told by the Lord Himself that he would be “sifted,” and suffer “against his will.” As a result, he became a meek man who would “strengthen his brethren” and “feed Christ’s sheep.” 6
B. Missionary and Other Examples
1. Amy Carmichael She felt she better served the Lord and accomplished more because of the pain, sickness and immobility He brought into her life. 2. Mary Reed (Mary Reed of Chandag, by E. Mackerchar) There is no evidence of not only resistance or complaint, but even of hesitation in submitting to the difficult will of God in her life. She instead rejoiced in His wisdom and presence, and His promises, and served Him faithfully for 58 years. 3. John Wesley – “I am content with whatever I meet with, and this must be the spirit of all who take journeys with me. I never fret. I repine at nothing. I am discontented with nothing.” (Martin Luther Had a Wife, by William Petersen) His treatment and his circumstances were harsh and unjust at times, yet he was able to submit to them for the cause and in the will of God. 7
Application Questions
Meek people don’t retaliate, rebel, or react . . . Whether dealing with difficult friends, unreasonable authorities, or downright difficult circumstances, meek people sweetly submit to what God is doing . . . ~Steve Pettit 1. How do you feel when people don’t take your advice, especially when asked for? 2. How do you react when you feel your child has been treated unjustly? 3. What do you say when you have given your best efforts in some matter and they go unnoticed/unappreciated? 4. How do you respond to the terrible issues that have been in our country’s news in recent months? 5. Are you okay with the Lord and His doings, but not okay with people or circumstances in your life? 6. How do you think you would respond if God placed you in situations like Joseph? Or Moses? Or jailed like Paul simply for obeying God? Conclusion
The Lord Jesus is our best and ultimate example. Isaiah 53:7 I Peter 2:23 Matthew 11:28‐30 Produced and distributed by: Mount Calvary Baptist Church, © 2015 Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright, ©1960,1962,1963, 1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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