Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:1-6
Memory Verse: To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3:2
Lesson Aim: To explain the true meaning of meekness and its characteristics.
In contrast to the ancient near-east and Greco-Roman world, the 21st Century western culture does not hold meekness to be a virtue. This dramatic shift in values causes a problem for contemporary biblical translation. Some modern versions of the Bible replace the noun “meekness” with “gentleness” or “humility”.
The meaning of the word “meek” is much misunderstood. Many think of a meek person as spineless person, unable to stand up for oneself or for anyone else. Some lazy people are thought to be meek when they are really slothful. Many peace-at-any-price people, who would rather compromise their convictions than take a stand, are called “meek”. However, none of these describe the meekness of which Jesus spoke.
For many, it is simply assumed that “meekness is weakness”, and not a virtue. However, meekness is more synonymous with empowerment than it is with weakness because meekness connotes self-control. When we are overcome by anger, we lose that sense of ourselves that allows God to dwell within us. Anger excludes God; meekness invites His presence.
Since meekness is self-control in the face of adversity, it enables a person to do good in response to evil. Meekness is not cowardice or timidity. It’s the power that restrains the onslaught of anger and subjects it to the order of reason. While it may be more natural to express anger when one is assaulted, meekness is the higher path. It prevents evil from completely overcoming the person who is already suffering enough from evil. Meekness prevents this suffering from negatively affecting the soul.
A common trigger for meekness is conflict in which an individual is unable to control or influence circumstances. Typical human responses in such circumstances include frustration, bitterness, or anger, but the one who is guided by God’s Spirit accepts God’s ability to direct events. Meekness is not a resignation to fate, a passive and reluctant submission to events, for there is little virtue in such a response.
The patient and hopeful endurance of undesirable circumstances identifies the person as externally vulnerable and weak but inwardly resilient and strong. Meekness does not identify the weak but more precisely the strong who have been placed in a position of weakness where they persevere without giving up. The use of the Greek word when applied to animals makes this clear, for it means “tame” when applied to wild animals.
In other words, such animals have not lost their strength but have learned to control the destructive instincts that prevent them from living in harmony with others. Thus, a meek Christian has learned through the power of the Holy Spirit to control the natural destructive instincts that are common to man.
Interact with God’s Word
- One dictionary defined meekness as “a deficiency of the spirit”, but how does God classify it? Galatians 5:22-23
- What attributes are necessary to walk worthy before God. Ephesians 4:1-3
- What promises are made to the meek? Matthew 5:5; Isaiah 66:1-2; Psalm 22:26; 25:9; 37:11
- What are some descriptors of a meek person?
- What evidence do we have that meekness is not weakness? John 2:15-16
- What can we do to obtain meekness? Zephaniah 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:11; Colossians 3:12
- Jesus is our primary example of meekness. Identify how His meekness is characterized in the following scriptures. Matthew 11:29; 21:5; Isaiah 53:1-9