By Pastor Royston Smith

A pastime of many is watching the American reality show a “Divorce Court” in which couples seek to settle their relationship disputes before a judge.  The straight-talking, honest, and feisty Toler presides.  In one episode, she appeared particularly confused by a woman’s nonchalant behaviour towards her husband who presented as a gentle, calm and soft-hearted man.  The wife’s main source of annoyance stemmed from the fact that her husband was not pushy, showy, or forceful. These behaviours were seen as signs of timidity and weakness. The judge openly applauds the man’s rare display of meekness and humility of spirit whilst reprimanding the wife for being insensitive, petty and tactless.

Anecdotal evidence shows that often people mistake meekness for weakness. Those with mild personalities are side-lined, snubbed, and shelved. Furthermore, these characteristics are placed at the bottom of the leadership ladder. Good leaders apparently need to be bombastic, grandiose and forceful. This popular view of leadership celebrates aggressiveness which is misconstrued as assertiveness and devalues the virtues of meekness in our western culture.  

Paul in Galatians 5 reminds us that meekness is a part of the fruit of the Spirit and therefore indicates a connection to the ‘Vine’ Jesus Christ. A person with a ‘meek personality’ exhibits a humble demeanour characterised by patient endurance and practical demonstrations of self-control. This strength of character is only possible with Christ.

The gospel according to John 8: 1 – 11, narrates Jesus’ demonstration of meekness when he defended a woman caught in adultery. The equally guilty males spoke unkindly of her and sought to stone her. Jesus chose the role of protector. His approach scattered the accusers whilst restoring the woman’s self-respect. She was guilty but Jesus’ meek demeanour encouraged her to her to change her reckless lifestyle.  

Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering”. Yielding to sin it is sign of weakness. However, yielding to God is a sign of meekness and it must become a part of our nature. Someone beautifully said, “A horse hasn’t lost its strength when it gets harnessed, it has gained usefulness, and not lost one ounce of strength. When we choose to direct our power to be constructive rather than destructive, it does not mean we are weak rather meekness – controlled strength.”

A spiritually meek person accepts the path that God plots out for him or her without fear or complaint. Where He leads, we will follow. What He sends we will embrace. We accept God by faith knowing that he is working this out for our good. For that reason, Jesus taught that the meek shall inherit the earth, see Matthew 5:5.  

Are you practising self-restraint? God offers His Holy Spirit. When he comes into your life the root of meekness will grow and be displayed in your everyday actions. 

Let’s Pray: Gentle Jesus, meek and mild look upon us your children. Forgive us our pride and teach us humility, in your name we pray.  Amen.