The Quality of Meekness: A Posture for Divine Direction

Scripture: “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” – Psalms 25:9

Introduction

Meekness in the Bible is often misunderstood. Some people view it as weakness, but in reality, it is a posture of strength that enables us to hear and receive from God. Meekness is not about being a pushover or a doormat. It is about being teachable, receptive, and humble. In this blog, we will explore the quality of meekness and how it can position us for divine direction.

What is Meekness?

Meekness is often associated with weakness, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Meekness is not the absence of strength, but the presence of power under control. It’s a combination of humility, gentleness, and self-control. Meekness is not a passive trait but an active one, requiring a person to be intentional about their actions.

Meekness is one of the Beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew. It states, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness, but it is actually a powerful virtue that is essential for a Christian’s growth and maturity.

The word “meek” comes from the Greek word “praus,” which means gentle, humble, and considerate. It is the opposite of being harsh, self-seeking, and proud. A meek person is not easily provoked, but rather patient and forgiving. They are willing to listen and learn from others, and are open to correction and guidance.

Meekness is important because it leads to a deeper relationship with God. When we are meek, we acknowledge our need for God and our dependence on Him. We trust in His wisdom and guidance, and we submit to His will. This is why Jesus said, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

Meekness also leads to peace. When we are meek, we are less likely to become angry or offended, and more likely to seek reconciliation and forgiveness. This is why Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Meekness is not something that comes naturally to us. It requires a transformation of our hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit. This is why Paul writes, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we will become more meek and Christ-like.

The Importance of Meekness

In a world that values strength, power, and self-promotion, meekness is often seen as a weakness. However, the Bible tells us that meekness is essential to our relationship with God. In Psalms 25:9, we see that the meek are the only ones qualified for God’s guidance and teaching. Meekness allows us to be teachable, correctable, and willing to make a U-turn when necessary.

The Example of Moses

One biblical character who exemplified meekness is Moses. Numbers 12:3 describes him as “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Moses had a teachable spirit, which enabled him to hear from God in a way that was unprecedented in his time. In fact, God spoke to Moses mouth to mouth, as one would speak to a friend (Numbers 12:8).

What qualified Moses for this level of intimacy with God? It was his meekness. Moses was willing to listen, learn, and obey God’s instructions, even when they seemed difficult or unpopular. His meekness enabled him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, despite their grumbling and disobedience.

Meekness in Action

Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. It is the ability to be strong in the face of opposition or adversity, without resorting to violence or aggression. Meekness is the quality that enables a person to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, and to forgive those who have wronged them.

One example of meekness in action is found in the life of Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, but he refused to give in to bitterness or revenge. Instead, he trusted in God’s plan for his life and worked hard to succeed in everything he did. When he finally had the opportunity to confront his brothers years later, he chose to forgive them and show them kindness (Genesis 45:1-15).

Another example of meekness is seen in the life of Jesus Christ. He was meek and lowly in heart, yet He had the power to heal the sick, raise the dead, and calm the storm. He was willing to suffer humiliation and death on the cross, in order to provide salvation for all who would believe in Him. His meekness was the source of His strength and the reason why He is now exalted at the right hand of the Father (Philippians 2:8-9).

How to Cultivate Meekness

Now that we understand what meekness is and why it’s important, let’s look at some practical ways we can cultivate meekness in our lives.

Recognize Pride and Arrogance

The first step to cultivating meekness is recognizing pride and arrogance in our lives. Pride and arrogance are the opposite of meekness and can hinder us from hearing from God. When we’re proud, we think we know it all and don’t need anyone’s help. However, meekness requires us to be humble and willing to learn from others.

Choose to be Teachable

The second step to cultivating meekness is choosing to be teachable. Meekness is not a natural trait, and we have to choose to be teachable. We can do this by seeking out people who can teach us and being open to correction. We also need to be willing to learn from our mistakes and make adjustments when necessary.

Practice Self-Control

The third step to cultivating meekness is practicing self-control. Meekness requires us to control our emotions, thoughts, and actions. We need to learn how to respond instead of reacting and not let our emotions dictate our behavior. We can do this by developing healthy habits such as prayer, meditation, and exercise.

Seek to learn from others.

Be open to constructive criticism and willing to admit when you are wrong. Ask for feedback from those you trust and respect, and be willing to incorporate their advice into your life.

Practice forgiveness.

When someone wrongs you, choose to forgive them rather than holding onto bitterness or resentment. This doesn’t mean that you have to tolerate abuse or mistreatment, but it does mean that you choose to release the other person from the debt they owe you.

Let go of the need to be right.

Instead of always trying to prove your point or win an argument, focus on understanding others’ perspectives and finding common ground. Be willing to admit when you don’t know something, and be open to learning from others.

Prioritize humility.

Recognize that you are not the center of the universe, and that others’ needs and opinions matter just as much as your own. Serve others without seeking recognition or reward, and be willing to take on tasks that may be beneath you in order to help someone else.

By practicing these habits, we can begin to develop the quality of meekness in our own lives. And as we do, we will find that we are better able to hear God’s voice and follow His direction. We will also experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment in our relationships and in our lives as a whole.

The benefits of meekness

• Meekness is a posture that enables us to hear from God and receive divine direction. When we are meek, we are more receptive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives. We are more open to receiving guidance, wisdom, and direction from God.
• Meekness enables us to build better relationships with others. When we are meek, we are more approachable, empathetic, and compassionate. We are more willing to listen to others and consider their perspectives.
• Meekness also enables us to be more effective leaders. When we are meek, we are more willing to listen to our team members, consider their ideas and feedback, and make changes as necessary. We are more willing to admit when we are wrong.
• Meekness leads to humility, which is the foundation of all true wisdom and understanding.
• When we are meek, we are more able to love and serve others, even those who may be difficult to love.
• Meekness also leads to peace. When we are meek, we are less likely to become angry or offended. When we are meek, we are less likely to become angry or offended, and more likely to forgive others. This can have a positive impact on our relationships, both with God and with others.

In fact, Jesus Himself says in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” This suggests that meekness is a desirable quality, one that is rewarded by God.

Unfortunately, meekness is often misunderstood and undervalued in our society. We live in a culture that celebrates strength, power, and success, often at the expense of kindness and humility. But true strength, according to God’s definition, comes from meekness.

Conclusion:The Quality of Meekness: A Posture for Divine Direction.

In conclusion, meekness is a vital posture for accessing divine direction in our lives. When we are meek, we are teachable, correctable, and willing to make a U-turn when we realize we have made a wrong turn. Meekness also leads to peace, forgiveness, and humility, all of which are essential for following God’s will.

Let us make a conscious decision to reject the spirit of pride and arrogance, and to cultivate meekness in our lives. As we do, we can trust that God will guide us in the right path and lead us to a life of greater purpose and fulfillment.