Meekness

This time we want to direct our attention to the meaning and practice of the word “meekness,” This is a word often used in the Bible; hence, it is good to consider it more closely. Meekness is a fundamental element in the life of faith.

We live in a time that we have turned matters around. It is evident that the fruits of the Spirit, of course, are lacking and we put ourselves at ease, thinking that lack is possession, darkness is light, and doubt is faith. But this is a terrible mistake. I don’t mean to say that darkness, doubt, and lack are not a reality in the life of God’s children, but our serious error is that we are so busy with ourselves that we do not realize what is available in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him dwells all the fulness. And John says, “And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to apply the work of Christ to the hearts of sinners. The Heidelberg Catechism states in Q. 32: “But why art thou called a Christian? Because I am a member of Christ by faith, and thus am partaker of His anointing; so that I may confess His Name and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him; and also that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life: and afterwards reign with Him eternally, over all creatures.”

We speak so much about experiential truth, but we do well to ask ourselves whether experiential truth consists only in the knowledge of our own heart. Is it not so that the mortification of the old man balances with and is as necessary as the quickening of the new man?

Does not sincere sorrow of heart for sin, by which we have angered the Lord, balance with the sincere joy in God through Jesus Christ? This is scriptural, practical Christianity.

It is necessary for all of us to examine our life by the light of the infallible Word of God. Meditating on the word meekness may be helpful to that end.

We will first inquire as to what the Bible says about meekness. We read in Numbers 12:3 that the man Moses was very meek, above all men. We read further:

“The meek shall eat and be satisfied.”

— Psalm 22:26

“The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.”

— Psalm 25:9

“The meek shall inherit the earth.”

— Psalm 37:11

“The Lord lifteth up the meek.”

— Psalm 147:6

“The Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.”

— Psalm 149:4

“The meek also shall increase their joy.”

— Isaiah 29:19

“To preach good tidings unto the meek.”

— Isaiah 61:1

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

-Matt. 5:5

“Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart”

—Matt. 11:29

“Even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

-1 Peter 3:4

“Showing all meekness unto all men.”

— Titus 3:2

“But the fruit of the Spirit is… meekness.”

— Gal. 5:22,23

There are many more texts that refer to meekness, but let these suffice. If you read these texts slowly and thoughtfully, and also ponder them and lay them at the door of your heart to examine yourself, then the Word of God may shine as a light upon your path. If we lay it as a touchstone, we may be able to know whether the Lord has begun a good work in us.

You know, if you are honest with yourself, that the Lord always chooses the side of the meek. What comforting and rich promises the Lord gives to the meek! The Lord promises them salvation, guidance, satisfaction, joy, and the whole earth.

But the question is — do we belong to the meek? Who are they? Who are meant by the meek?

As far as natural life is concerned, meek means submissive, unresisting, compliant, humble, mild, gentle, unpretentious, tenderhearted, tolerant. The opposite of meekness is to be domineering, bossy, wilful, overbearing, self-assertive, bold, forward, arrogant. The word meek comes from an old Norse word meaning soft. A meek person is not inclined to violence, accommodates himself easily, thinks and seeks another’s good, and is not vindictive. One’s meekness shows itself especially when others wrong us. Also in natural life we see people who are blessed with a meek character; and what a blessing that is! They are people who are easy to get along with in church, in the family, and in social life.

But it is not my intention to discuss external meekness. A naturally gentle and kind character is no proof that there is grace in the heart. Speaking of our character, it is easy to excuse ourselves by saying, “That is not my character; after all, I did not make myself!” There is much sorrow and anxiety in the relationship between husband and wife when their characters cause them to be unbending, and they will not accommodate to one another. Thus is it also sometimes in the relationship between parents and children. So many bonds can be broken because each insists on his own way and will not give in to the other.

And how are matters in the church? Does a spirit of meekness reign there? It sometimes seems so difficult, even impossible, for brethren to live together in unity seeking the good of Jerusalem. It is easy to place the blame on our character or, even worse, upon the devil, or our “old man.” In natural life one person can be so meek, and another can be just the opposite. But that is not so in the life of grace.

We must launch into the deep meaning of the biblical term, “meekness.” Meekness cannot be separated from lowliness. Meekness is a fruit of self-emptying and self-humiliation. There is a broken will and a receptive heart before God. Meekness is the taming of the lion, or making the wolf to lie down as a kid. Meekness is the opposite of self-will toward God and of ill-will toward men. The meek are those who quietly submit themselves to God, to His Word, to His rod — those who follow His directions and comply with His designs and are gentle toward men. Meekness is a gracious, precious fruit of the Spirit’s work. Godly sorrow softens the heart, making it receptive to the entrance of the Word of God, and thereby making it pliant, tractable, submissive, and teachable.

Where this grace is, the enmity of the carnal mind is subdued, and its possessor bears God’s chastisement with quietness and patience. Meekness enables us to endure provocation without becoming irritated. The meek remain cool when others become heated. Meekness is that spirit which has been taught mildness, by discipline and suffering. Meekness causes us to bear patiently the insults and injuries which we receive at the hand of our peers, and makes us ready to accept instruction from the least of the saints, moving us to think more highly of others than of ourselves. Meekness restrains from seeking revenge. Where meekness is lacking, the life of grace is lacking, at least in the exercise of it.

Biblical meekness is not innate, not something born in us; it is a supernatural characteristic of which every child of God is a partaker. In the biblical sense, meekness is the character of the new man. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a sinner. He is made what he is not by nature. The unfruitful one begins to show forth the fruit of the Spirit, namely, meekness (Gal. 5:22,23). This fruit flows out from communion and union with Christ. It includes self-denial, love to our neighbor, tolerance, and a forgiving spirit, not rewarding evil with evil. It is crucifying the flesh with its lustful affections. And that never happens against our will, for in regeneration the will is renewed and caused to bow.

Meekness is a fruit of the work of the Holy Spirit and has its seat in the will and in the understanding. It is a spiritually active faculty that is maintained and fed by the Word of God.

“Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart,” says the Lord Jesus. This meekness wrought by the Holy Spirit teaches us to walk in the footsteps of Christ. His ways are lofty, wise, and good.

The Lord sends chastisements, adversities, trials, and oppressions in our life. That is not always according to our wishes, and is not always accepted in the spirit of meekness. Jacob said, “All these things are against me.” We can see this out of the lives of Job, Abraham, Asaph, etc. The disciples desired to pray for fire from heaven to consume their adversaries.

It may take a long time, but the Lord will bring us to the right place by His Word and Spirit. He gives us insight into the disease of our own heart. He teaches us to know and confess our foolishness. He brings us into the valley of humility. We read that of Asaph. He said, “I was as a beast before Thee.” And David says, “Let Shimei curse.” Eli said, “It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good.” Aaron holds his peace when his two sons are taken away by death. If we, by faith, walk in the footsteps of Jesus, of whom it is written, “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again,” then, looking to Him, we can love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do well to those who hate us, and pray for them that despite-fully use us.

No, I do not care to listen to your “buts” — I know that we cannot do it in our own strength. I know that it is sometimes impossible to bear what others say and do. I know that our heart often is a den of thieves. I also know of the conflicts, the wrestlings, the shortcomings. I know that in our own strength we can do nothing.

But, my dear readers, I also know that there is One who said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Then do not run after others with a heart full of vengeance, but follow Him, the Lord Jesus Christ. He said of all the sins of His people: put them on My account. He was despised, spit upon, scourged, and crucified and He held His peace. “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” Learn of Him, follow in His footsteps, give yourself into His hands. Allow yourself to be led, and be still.

He makes no mistakes; His counsel shall stand and He shall do all His pleasure. But, you say, must I just accept everything, and approve of it? Do you think everything and everyone is against you? No, you need not approve of or agree with everything. You may feel bad about it, but bring it to the Lord and leave it in His hands. You may learn from the Word of God that everything and everyone is not against you, for if God is for you, who can be against you?

God, in Christ Jesus, is for the meek. All those meek ones lie under God’s comforting and rich promises (Ps. 10:17). He hears their prayer and shall teach them His way (Ps. 25:9). In Christ the meek shall have abundance of grace (Prov. 3:34). In Christ they have abundance of joy (Is. 29:19). In the strength of Christ the meek shall stand against all onslaughts and conflicts. In Christ they shall have no want (Ps. 23:1). And when they have completed their journey through this vale of tears, they shall inherit that blessed portion that was prepared for them before the foundation of the world (Matt. 5:5).

Dear readers, do you know anything of this meekness in your life — in your family, as husband and wife, as parents and children? Do you know anything about it as office-bearers? Have you never lost your crown and become the least? Meekness is an ornament for God’s children, and a fruit of the Spirit that He gives to His people according to His measure. Meekness is an ornament for the Church of God on earth. Wearing that robe, you display the image of your great Master, the King of His Church (1 Peter 3:4).

Rev. H. Hofman is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Sioux Center, Iowa.

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