I'm going to try and adhere to a sort of outline for this post because I think a post defining something should be easy to follow. First, I'm going to explain what the word meekness means using three dictionaries which are all quite a bit different from each other. Second, I'll provide verses from the Bible on why we should cultivate meekness, and third, I'll explain how to cultivate meekness.
Okay, let's get started. (As a disclaimer, throughout this post, I will treat humility and meekness as the same thing)
From the 1828 Webster's:
Meekness: Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.
1. In an evangelical sense, humility; resignation; submission to the divine will, without murmuring or peevishness; opposed to pride, arrogance and refractions.
Still from the dictionary:
Meekness is a grace which Jesus alone inculcated (taught persistently) and which no ancient philosopher seems to have understood or recommended.
Boy, I wish today's dictionaries referenced the Bible! There's one point I want to highlight in this definition. Notice the part where it says "submission to the divine will." This is the surrendering part! You can't live a surrendered life without meekness! The two go hand in hand.
Alright, at this point I'm going to insert a quote that I think illustrates meekness very well.
From Christianity Today - Strength in Meekness, "Perhaps meekness is strength that is submitted to an appropriate authority."
From Christianity Today - Strength in Meekness, "Perhaps meekness is strength that is submitted to an appropriate authority."
Okay, now we know what meekness is. Second, let's investigate why it's so important. (all verses KJV)
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."
This verse tells us that unless we are meek, we won't be able to receive God's Word. That's a fairly scary place to be!
Psalm 149:4 – "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation."
Oh boy. Meekness really is important, isn't it? God will give salvation to the meek. Think about it, though. It makes complete sense. Salvation requires a confession and a change. To receive it, one must realize how small and detestably filthy he is before God. He must be broken. A proud man can't do that! I heard a testimony several weeks ago that testified to that very fact. If one thinks he is good enough, that he's fine like he is and doesn't need saved, then he absolutely won't be! God can't work in the heart of one who thinks he's "okay." When I realized who I was before God, and realized my sins, I felt far from proud. Meekness is absolutely necessary for salvation!
Psalm 25:9 – "He [God] guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way."
Again, God can't teach a proud heart. He can't guide us or teach us or mold us if we're hard. We will never become who He wants us to be if we don't let Him change us.
Matthew 5:5 – "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
If we're meek, then our reward is great. We will inherit the earth. The new earth in God's kingdom. Such a reward sounds worth it to me!
In part two of this post, I'll wrap up by answering the third and last question. It was just getting way too long! xo, Ella
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."
This verse tells us that unless we are meek, we won't be able to receive God's Word. That's a fairly scary place to be!
Psalm 149:4 – "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation."
Oh boy. Meekness really is important, isn't it? God will give salvation to the meek. Think about it, though. It makes complete sense. Salvation requires a confession and a change. To receive it, one must realize how small and detestably filthy he is before God. He must be broken. A proud man can't do that! I heard a testimony several weeks ago that testified to that very fact. If one thinks he is good enough, that he's fine like he is and doesn't need saved, then he absolutely won't be! God can't work in the heart of one who thinks he's "okay." When I realized who I was before God, and realized my sins, I felt far from proud. Meekness is absolutely necessary for salvation!
Psalm 25:9 – "He [God] guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way."
Again, God can't teach a proud heart. He can't guide us or teach us or mold us if we're hard. We will never become who He wants us to be if we don't let Him change us.
Matthew 5:5 – "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
If we're meek, then our reward is great. We will inherit the earth. The new earth in God's kingdom. Such a reward sounds worth it to me!
In part two of this post, I'll wrap up by answering the third and last question. It was just getting way too long! xo, Ella
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