THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS MEEKNESS

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The Fruit of the Spirit Is Meekness

“ ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth’ ” (Matt. 5:5, NKJV).

What Do They Think Of?
Francia Bissereth, Hyattsville, Maryland, U.S.A.

Sabbath Introduction

Luke 6:43−45

One Sabbath after church, a group of Seventh-day adventists on their way home encountered a police check on a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. When the adventists came close to the policemen, one of the officers said that there was no need to check this group because they were wearing decent clothes and had Bibles in their hands. With gratitude, the adventists continued on their way.

It wasn’t until a bit later that I realized I was wearing scrubs.

As I was leaving work one afternoon, a woman opened a passenger door of a car at a red traffic light. She was not feeling well and was beginning to vomit. Since I was close, I ran to help her. as I drew nearer, I heard people say that the she was pregnant and had not eaten well during the day. I was surprised to see how the other people in the car were so grateful for my little bit of help. It wasn’t until a bit later that I realized I was wearing scrubs.

Those few seconds under the red light, thinking of it, anyone stopping to help might have been inclined to seek praise and recognition. However, the only praise necessary was the look that the passenger who needed help gave me.

What does the world think when it sees you? How do people classify you? Do they classify you as one who bears Christian fruit or as a barren tree? Performing a simple act of service that you know will reap little or no praise helps the world see in a person the fruit of meekness and will differentiate you from almost everyone else. as Jesus said, “ ‘each tree is recognized by its own fruit’ ” (luke 6:44, NIV). What fruit do you bear today?

This week’s lesson will help us better understand the fruit of meekness and how we can cultivate it.

Understanding Meekness

Kendall Turcios, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Sunday Logos

Gen. 50:15–20; Matt. 5:5; 11:29; Rom. 12:3; Gal. 6:1;

Phil. 2:1–3

Power Kept Under Control (Matt. 5:5; 11:29)

When most people hear the word meek, they have a mental picture of a wet noodle. a friend of mine jokes by saying, “The meek shall inherit the earth . . . if that’s OK with everybody else.” However, when we look at the Greek word for meek—praus—we see a truly different meaning. The first meaning describes a balance between emotional extremes. In other words, meekness would mean a balance between too much anger and not enough anger. When the Bible tells us, “In your anger do not sin” (eph. 4:26, NIV), it is saying that there is a righteous and justifiable form of anger. as Christians we may appropriately feel angry at injustice in the world, but we would be off the mark to react in a hotheaded manner at being personally slighted. The first meaning of meekness marks this balance between emotional extremes.

Jesus not only advocates for meekness, He personifies it.

The second and more profound meaning of meekness describes the dynamic of a horse or an ox relenting to and accepting a necessary degree of control from its master. It is here that we find a powerful animal that could well crush its owner but instead allows itself to be led, trained, and directed by the will of its master. The Bible, in stating meekness as an indicator of the Spirit-filled life, thus shows that a Christian has power but submits that power to God’s will.

Humanity’s Aversion to Meekness (1 Cor. 2:14)

Sinful nature rears its ugly head in the form of self-will. Carnal nature will not allow itself to be tamed or subjugated by anyone or anything. In the Garden of eden, eve, in listening to the serpent’s voice, doubted God and exercised her own will against His will. In so doing, she went against the spirit of meek- ness. She did not remain submitted to God. Most people would agree that as humans, we have a hard time with submission. The origin of sin shows us that God granted the gift of meekness in order for humanity to remain in His will.

Jesus Says, “Be Like Me” (Matt. 11:29)

Jesus, our perfect example, came into the world to show us the way of sal- vation. His life is one of total surrender and trust in His heavenly Father. The Bible tells of how He often prayed through the night to obtain the strength to fulfill His mission. Thus, He invites us to consider His yoke. In His time, a yoke was not something you picked up at the Jerusalem Wal-Mart where all yokes hung together on a rack. Instead, a yoke was a custom-made tool that a carpenter would make to accommodate the animals that would use it to haul a heavy load. The yoke itself was not a burden but rather a tool that made the burden easier to carry. So, in essence, Jesus is saying, “as long as you’re carrying that burden, let Me give you a yoke to help you out. and by the way, My yoke is easy.” Jesus also put it in the following way, “ ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ ” (John 16:33, NIV).

Jesus not only advocates for meekness, He personifies it. In His quest to save humanity, His life exemplified meek surrender—the only way we can possibly enter into a right relationship with God and experience true joy and unending happiness. Jesus easily could have used His power to overwhelm His enemies. However, He kept that power under the controlling will of God. It is a decep- tion to think that we can truly be happy outside the will of God. True happiness can be found only in surrender.

“In his sinless state, man held joyful communion with [God]. . . . after his sin, he could no longer find joy in holiness. . . . Such is still the condition of the unrenewed heart. . . . Could he be permitted to enter heaven, it would have no joy for him. The spirit of unselfish love that reigns there . . . would touch no answering chord in his soul. His thoughts, his interests, his motives, would be alien to those that actuate the sinless dwellers there.”*

Jesus exemplified this surrender and invites us to follow Him in meekness.

The Promise of the Meek (Gen. 1:28; Ps. 37:11; Matt. 5:5; Gal. 5:22, 23)

If you’ve ever wondered why the meek are the inheritors of the earth, you are not alone. looking at Genesis, our first parents were commanded by God to fill the earth and take care of it. Sin changed all of that. However, we also find in the Old Testament an appeal to humanity to resubmit their will to God based on the following promise: “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace” (Ps. 37:11, NIV). Jesus’ life on earth showed us what true meekness is. In Galatians, the promise of the meek inheriting the earth is renewed so that now through the Spirit we can receive this fruit.

REACT

1. What is preventing you from living out meekness?

2. What are the implications for meek Christians that they shall inherit the

earth? Does this promise have an immediate impact, or is it only for the future?

explain your answer. ____________

*Steps to Christ, pp. 17, 18.

Meekness: “Unmistakable Evidence”

Lauren Halstrom, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.A.

Monday Testimony

John 3:1–21; 15:1–6

“The abiding presence of meekness is an unmistakable evidence that we are branches of the True Vine, and are bearing much fruit. It is an evidence that we are by faith beholding the King in his beauty and becoming changed into his likeness. Where meekness exists, the natural tendencies are under the control of the Holy Spirit. Meekness is not a species of cowardice. It is the spirit which Christ manifested when suffering injury, when enduring insult and abuse. To be meek is not to surrender our rights; but it is the preservation of self-control under provocation to give way to anger or to the spirit of retaliation. Meekness will not allow passion to take the lines.

“Meekness is not a species of cowardice.”

“When Christ was accused by the priests and Pharisees, he preserved his self-control, but he took his position decidedly that their charges were untrue. He said to them: ‘Which of you convinceth me of sin?’ ‘If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?’ He knew that his position was right. When Paul and Silas were beaten and thrust into prison without trial or sentence, they did not surrender their right to be treated as honest citizens. When there was a great earthquake, and the foundations of the prison were shaken, and the doors were opened, and every man’s bands were loosed, and the magistrates sent word to the prisoners that they might depart in peace, Paul entered a protest, and said: ‘They have beaten us openly uncon- demned, being romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. . . . and they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.’ Through the action of Paul and Silas the name of God was magnified and the authorities were humbled. It was necessary that the honor of God should be vindicated at this time.”*

REACT

Most likely, you are currently facing a situation that requires the type of meek- ness Christ exhibited while on this earth. How might you react in a meek man- ner, so that God’s honor will be vindicated and you will not be surrendering your

rights, yet all the while maintaining self-control with the help of the Holy Spirit? ____________

*ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, august 22, 1895.

Meekness or Weakness

Samuel Pegus, Adelphi, Maryland, U.S.A.

Tuesday Evidence
Matt. 5:5

Meekness does not stand for weakness. If it did, it would be impossible for a weak individual to inherit the earth. at a glance, biblical people who were meek seemed to be submissive and to have cowered at authority. Looks, however, can be deceiving. Meekness is rooted in loyalty to God alone and in obedience to Him as our Judge and King.1 Christians suffer trials and tribulations for their obedience. People who are meek will have worries, but they will communicate with God and find comfort and strength within His Word. Bible reading and prayer will guide them. Such individuals are able to inherit the earth.

God’s strength is perfect, and He will strengthen us if we let Him.

One definition of meek means “yielded.” It carries the idea of strength under control. “When a horse is domesticated, it is trained so a rider can sit upon its back or so that it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been ‘meeked’ or broken. It yields to the rider or the yoke. The animal now exhibits strength under control.”2 abraham was meek. If he had relied on his own strength, he would not have considered the idea of sacrificing his son, nor would he have left his home to go to an unknown place. Job may have had questions and doubts when in tribulation, but with meekness, he was able to say, “ ‘Blessed be the name of the lord’ ” (Job 1:21, NKJV). If Job had relied on his strength alone, he would have cursed God and died right there (Job 2:9). Meekness led John the Baptist to say, “ ‘He must increase, and I must decrease’ ” (John 3:30, NKJV). Isn’t that what meekness is all about? God’s strength is perfect, and He will strengthen us if we let Him.

Peter addressed Christians with this reminder: you “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His [God’s] own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9, NKJV). People such as Abraham and Peter knew they were royalty. They could rejoice in their privileged status. Before, they had been in darkness, but once they yielded in meekness to God’s will they came into God’s light. They had a desire for the kingdom that was promised to them.

So, my friend, be ye meeked.

____________

1. God’s Word to Women, “What Is Meekness?” http://www.godswordtowomen.org/lesson 52.htm (accessed December 4, 2008)

2. “What Is Meekness?” http://healtheland.wordpress.com/2007/11/15/what-is-meekness (accessed December 4, 2008)

A Vowel Makes All the Difference

Gladys S. Kelley, Laurel, Maryland, U.S.A.

Wednesday How-to

Phil. 2:3−5; 1 Pet. 3:4

There is a Spanish saying that goes like this: “Manso pero no menso” (Meek but not a fool). In Spanish, one vowel makes all the difference between the two words manso and menso. yet in practice, there is an abyss between them. For many Christians, Jesus’ gift to be “meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29) is one of the hardest gifts to accept and exemplify. Perhaps the reason is not un- willingness but one’s comprehension of what meekness encompasses.

God’s Spirit living in us tips the balance and makes all the difference.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines meekness as “deficient in spirit and courage: submissive” and “not . . . strong.” These definitions are negative. They make it seem that meek people are silent doormats for strong and competent people to walk on. and if we are all honest, none of us would consciously vol- unteer for a position as doormat.

Nevertheless, in 1 Peter 3, Jesus says that meekness is of great value to God. Therefore, it is imperative that we obtain it. Through Jesus’ example, we can learn that meekness is revealed not only in the things we do, but in how we do them. Our attitude determines whether we are meek or we are fools. Being meek encompasses having the ability to respond harshly yet choosing not to. This can be accomplished only by following Jesus’ example of meekness. Here are ways we can do so:

Submitting totally to God (John 5:30). Though Jesus was an equal Member of the Godhead, He surrendered completely to the Father and to the Holy Spirit. When we face a difficult situation, our relationship with God plays a key role in how we respond.

Putting others before self (Phil. 2:5–7). Jesus offered all He was for our sake. When we see others going through a challenging situation and have the resources to help them, then we must do so, even if doing so puts us in an uncomfortable position.

Walking humbly with God (Mic. 6:8). When we follow the requirements listed in Micah 6:8, we allow ourselves to become agents of change in other people’s lives.

God wants us to be patient and humble yet always ready to fight the good fight of faith. Based on the world’s standards, we might appear to be fools. yet God’s Spirit living in us tips the balance and makes all the difference.

True Peace Is Found in Our Humility

Andrew Gregory Stoner, Frederick, Maryland, U.S.A.

Thursday Opinion

Matt. 11:29, 30

We often hesitate to take the advice of others. and if we were to do so, we’d first want to know about their experience, background, beliefs, and so on. Because, after all, do they know what they’re talking about? Have they gone through what you’re going through? Will they really understand you?

We do not find true peace by acquiring possessions, money, or personal power.

It’s difficult for us to simply believe and follow, to drop all of our life experience and think that someone else could lead us through a crisis or hardship. In addition to that, imagine if the person giving the advice also said, “Do what I say, and carry my burden.” That’s a lot to ask, isn’t it? It requires you to humble yourself and truly believe that the one giving the advice is completely trustworthy, faithful, and, most important, has your best interest at heart.

Jesus Christ—our Savior, Teacher, Friend, and lord—tells us in Matthew 11:29, “ ‘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’ ” (NKJV). In verse 30, Jesus goes on to tell us that His burden is light. I imagine that Jesus adds this because He knows our hearts. He knows that our first reaction will be, “Take your yoke? No way! I have enough upon my shoulders as it is!”

Jesus knows our “load” and that it is nothing compared to His “load” as Creator and Caretaker. He also knows that when we accept His yoke, our burden becomes lighter. From Him we can learn how to find rest for our souls by being gentle and humble, rather than self-righteous and critical of others.

We do not find true peace by acquiring possessions, money, or personal power. There is proof of that in the life of the average Hollywood celebrity. The world can take material things away from us as quickly as it gives such things to us. Our covetous nature is self-destructive and leads only to more pain and problems. But Jesus leads by example and shows us that only by humbling ourselves can we inherit the kingdom of God.

Jesus is our example for living. The peace He gives to us is a gift. We cannot earn it with good deeds or a hefty bank account. All we can do is humble ourselves, praise Him, and grow the fruit of meekness modeled by our lord and Savior, King, and Friend. Only then, do we find peace that is everlasting and life that is eternal.

Meekness—A Strong Word

Sergio Torres, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.

Friday Exploration

Phil. 2:5–8

CONCLUDE

To be meek is to be many things. It is to be gentle and kind. To be meek is not having to win an argument. To be meek is to be less defensive. It is to think of others first and to be of service to those around you. To be meek is to give up on having to be right. To be meek is to know and to act on the truth that all people are valuable. To be meek is to be Christlike. No wonder meekness is a strong word.

CONSIDER

• Praying “blessed are the meek” for an entire week and reflecting on how being meek can change your life for the better.

• attendingachurchofadifferentculturefromyoursforamonthandmak- ing friends there with at least three people.

• Not blowing your car horn for a week. Journal what changes you see in yourself in relationship to other drivers and your own driving habits.

• Spending time weekly for two months with a group of people or with an individual who has special needs. Do this through a service organization that needs help. What did you learn about meekness and how it can change your life as a result of your experience? Ideally this experience will become a regular feature of your life.

• Giving up your views and the need to be right in a family discussion. • Practicing the discipline of silence for ten minutes daily for a week. What

do you hear God telling you during those times? • Finding ways to defend the rights of the needy and poor in your com-

munity.

CONNECT

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 13–18; Welfare Ministry, pp. 81–86.

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