Meekness

By Aurora Coldwater

Meekness is a major virtue in our faith. It is emphasized over and over again as a commendable trait to possess. In the Old Testament, Moses was described as the meekest man on the earth (Numbers 12:3). Christ was "meek and lowly in heart" and He encouraged His disciples to be meek as well (Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth"). Several epistles written to the first century Christians would later command them—and by proxy, us—to have a "meek and quiet spirit." But what exactly does that mean?

Merriam-Webster defines being meek as “enduring injury patiently and without resentment.” The ancient Grecians would use this term oftentimes in relation to horses. They would say that a horse had been meeked once he had been brought into submission and had become useful. Similarly, we must bring ourselves into submission and serve God with gentleness and patience. Christ is the ultimate example of meekness. He came here to earth to suffer on our behalf for sins He never committed. He completely subjected Himself to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:42), even to the point of death. The hymn “Ten Thousand Angels” highlights Christ's submission to the will of God and of His love for us.

They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where he prayed
They led him through the streets in shame.
They spat upon the Savior
So pure and free from sin; they said,
"Crucify Him; He's to blame."

Upon His precious head, they placed a crown of thorns;
They laughed and said, "Behold, the King."
They stuck Him and they cursed Him and mocked His holy name, all alone He suffered everything.

When they nailed Him to the cross His mother stood nearby; He said, "Woman, behold thy son."
He cried, "I thirst for water," but they gave Him none to drink.
Then the sinful work of man was done.

To the howling mob He yielded; He did not for mercy cry.
The cross of shame He took alone
And when He cried, "It's finished," He gave Himself to die; Salvation's wondrous plan was done.

He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
...But He died alone for you and me.

How can we become more meek like Jesus?  How can we live this out?

First we have to be gentle. Titus 3:2 says, "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle showing all meekness unto all men." Paul lists gentleness as one the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. That word translated gentleness is actually the same word translated meekness in other passages. Gentleness and meekness are inseparable.

To be meek, we need to control our speech (Titus 3:2).  We have to make sure to never speak evil of others or say things which are untrue. The tongue is a "raging fire" and we have to learn how to control it. If it is uncontrolled it can hurt you and others, but if it is then it can be a powerful tool in God's kingdom. We should use our tongues to build up others and bring them to Christ.

Finally, we have to submit ourselves wholly to God. He bought us and redeemed us from our sins. He gave His son for us. We are His and it is our responsibility as Christians to do His work throughout the world with a meek and quiet spirit.