Are you meek?

465 they are gentleOne fruit of the Holy Spirit is meekness (Galatians 5,22). The Greek word for this is 'praotes', meaning gentle or considerate; it expresses what is meant by “a soul of man”. Gentleness and consideration are used interchangeably in some Bible translations such as the New Geneva Translation (NGC).

The Bible places great emphasis on gentleness or consideration. It says, “the meek shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5,5). However, meekness is not a very popular or widely used word today. Our society is obsessed with being aggressive. To move forward, you have to swim with the sharks. We live in an elbow society and the weak are quickly pushed aside. However, it is a big mistake to associate meekness with weakness. Meekness or consideration is not a weakness. Jesus described himself as a meek person, far from a weak, spineless sissy who avoided all problems (Matthew 11,29). He was not indifferent to his surroundings or the needs of others.

Many legendary historical figures, such as Lincoln, Gandhi, Einstein, and Mother Teresa, were meek or considerate but not fearful. They did not need to demonstrate their importance to others. They had the intention and ability to face any obstacle that was placed in their way. This inner determination is very valuable to God (1. Petrus 3,4) It actually takes a lot of inner strength to be really gentle. Meekness is described as strength under control.

It is interesting that before the Christian era the word gentle was rarely heard and the word gentleman was not known. This high quality of character is actually a direct by-product of the Christian era. Being meek or considerate shows itself in what we think about ourselves and what we think of others.

How do we deal with others when we have power over them? Blessed is the man who does not hold back more than he should, when others praise and promote him, compared to the time in life when he was still a nobody.

We should be careful with the words we say5,1; 25,11-15). We should be careful about how we treat others (1 Thess 2,7). We should be kind in our dealings with all people (Philippians 4,5). It is not our beauty that God values ​​in us, but our kind and balanced nature (1 Peter 3,4). A meek person is not out for confrontation (1. Corinthians 4,21). An indulgent is kind to those who make mistakes, and he knows that the wrong step could just as easily have happened to him! (Galatians 6,1). God calls us to be kind and patient with all and to be lenient and loving with one another (Ephesians 4,2). When asked to give an answer with divine meekness, they do so confidently, not with an offensive demeanor, but with meekness and due respect (1 Peter 3,15).

Remember, people with a meek character do not impute false motives to others while they justify their own behavior, as illustrated in the following account:

The other

  • When the other one needs a long time, he is slow.
    If I take a long time, I am thorough.
  • If the other one does not, he is lazy.
    If I do not do it, I'm busy.
  • When the other person does something without being told, he goes beyond his limits.
    When I do, I take the initiative.
  • If the other overlooks a graces, he is rude.
    If I ignore the rules, I am original.
  • If the other one satisfies the boss, he is a slime.
    If I like the boss, I cooperate.
  • If the other one gets on, he's lucky.
    If I manage to get on, it's because I worked hard.

A gentle boss will treat staff the way they want to be treated - not just because it's right, but because he knows he might one day work for them.

by Barbara Dahlgren


Are you meek?