“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 we come to the end of the list of characteristics Paul gives of the fruit of the Spirit, we find two words which are closely related: meekness and temperance. For now, our focus is on meekness, which is an attitude of humility and submission to God. Meekness and gentleness also overlap in meaning, because a meek person will behave himself gently and kindly to others.
Of all the characteristics that Paul lists, meekness is probably the most despised in terms of the world’s regard. Conventional wisdom says “To be successful, you must stand out, you must look out for yourself first, you must negotiate bitterly to give yourself the advantage in every situation.” All of these stand in contrast to meekness. However, Jesus declares “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Although worldly wisdom sees it differently, let us trust the wisdom of God and walk in faith!
As in every other way, Jesus is the perfect and best example of meekness for us to look to for instruction. Consider these profound words in Matthew 21:5: “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” The verse is a quote of Zechariah 9:9, in which the word “meek” is written as “lowly.” Both of these work together to describe something never before seen: a King who is meek and lowly. Most kings could never be described in this way. Even today, government leaders travel with a major procession, consisting of military personnel, high level advisors, bands playing music, and many other things that set them apart with great distinction from the common people. In wonderful and awesome contrast, though, the King of kings and Lord of lords carried himself with meekness. We can be certain the Christ was and is worthy of more honor than any earthly king, yet He submitted Himself willingly to the suffering of death for His people.
To reiterate this point, we read from Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” The meekness of Jesus is exhibited plainly in His incarnation, sufferings on earth, crucifixion, and resurrection. Paul also began with an affirmation that this is an example to us when he instructed “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Just as Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant, we should follow Him in humility and service to God and our brethren. Just as He patiently endured suffering, so should we. In short, just as He came with meekness, so should we walk in meekness.
There are two specific examples of meekness I would like to briefly consider. First, we are taught in Galatians 6:1 that our attitude toward those who are “overtaken in a fault” should be that of meekness. Our approach toward those brethren should not be as an arrogant or “holier than thou” judge, but instead as a brother, realizing acutely our own imperfections and weakness in temptation. Doing so, God may bless us to restore the brother or sister to repentance from that fault. What a blessing this would be!
Second, Peter refers to meekness as a highly prized quality of a wife. While speaking of godly and chaste conduct for wives in the church, Peter said their adorning should be “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (I Peter 3:4). Again, the world’s conventional wisdom would fervently disagree, but I trust in the wisdom of God revealed in His word rather than the wisdom of men. A virtuous woman – one who serves God and her family in meekness – is one of God’s greatest blessings for the church, and especially to her husband and children. “Her price is far above rubies.”
There are many other examples in scripture for how we should conduct ourselves in meekness, but I will end with one of the simplest: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). Micah has just described very succinctly the concept of meekness. May God bless us to humble ourselves before Him and follow the great example of our Saviour in bearing the fruit of meekness.