Fruit of the Spirit: Meekness

1.   Meekness Defined.

      a.   World view: a wimp, a coward, yellow, timid, spiritless

      b.   False religious view:

            i.   Jehovah's Witness- complete passivity, no military service, tied to other false doctrines

            ii.  Barclay- loving, well-mannered, polite... God's gentleman

      c.   God's view- A bridled horse, strength within restraint, grace under pressure. A meek person:

            i.   accepts God's word as a horse accepts his harness;

            ii.  is submissive to God's divine plan, and is more anxious to do the will of God than his own will;

            iii. places himself under the control of God.

2.   Meekness Exemplified by Moses.

      a.   Numbers 12:3 "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." Yet he slew the Egyptian- Exodus 2:11-12

      b.   Moses defied the most powerful leader in the world and said "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go" Ex 5:1.

      c.   Moses pleaded on Israel's behalf following their idolatry-

            i.   Exodus 32:9-14

            ii.  Exodus 32:32

      d.   Moses' meekness before the Lord- Exodus 33

            i.   "The Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." (v 11)

            ii.  "If I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee." (v 13)

            iii. "If thy presence go not with us, carry us not up from here." (v 15)

3.   Meekness Exemplified by Christ.

      a.   Meekness is one of only two qualities Jesus claimed for himself (Matthew 11:29), yet Jesus wasn't intimidated by anyone.

            i.   He twice cleansed the temple, driving out the money changers: John 2; Matthew 21 / Mark 11 / Luke 19

            ii.  Matthew 12:22-45 'You generation of vipers!' (vs 34)

      b.   Jesus accepted the will of God as his harness:

            i.   John 5:30 "I can of myself do nothing. I do not seek my own will, but the will of him that went me."

            ii.  John 6:38 "I have not come to do my own will, but the will of him that went me."

      c.   Luke 22:44 "Let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine be done."

      d.   Philippians 2:5-8

      e.   Jesus on the cross

            i.   Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

            ii.  Luke 23:43 (to the thief) "Today thou shalt be with me in paradise." (cf Matt 27:44)

4.   Does meekness characterize your life?

      a.   Will you accept God's word as your harness and guide? Matthew 11:28-30

      b.   Are you submissive to the will of God?

      c.   Does His will take precedence in your life? 1 Peter 1:21-24 Jesus left us an example that we should follow in His steps.

      d.   Have you placed your life under his control?