Blessed are the Meek

By Brandy Webb

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth,” said Jesus (Matt 5:5). Meekness means humility and gentleness. I noticed today in Galatians 5:22-23, where we find the list of the fruit of the Spirit, that I have always memorized “gentleness” though the KJV says “meekness.” Honestly, I did not know that they were synonyms. It is always neat to learn something new.

I think the world needs more of this fruit, but it is not my job to judge the world. That is God’s job (1 Cor 5:12-13). My job is to grow in the fruit of the Spirit, which is what everyone who calls themselves part of the body of Christ is supposed to do. So, if we are to be gentle/meek/humble, why do we have so many contentions within the body? We are all trying to follow our God the best way we know how. Each of us may have different gifts from the Holy Spirit, but we all are supposed to have the same fruit.

Meekness is not ending friendships because you go to XYZCOG, and your former friends go to ABCCOG. Meekness is not believing that one church is better than all the other churches. Meekness is not gossiping about others. Don’t we realize that a body against itself cannot stand (Matt 5:25)? How are we to show the world the light if we can’t even show it amongst ourselves?

We are the body of Christ, who was the epitome of meekness. He was perfect. Yet He still forgave them that crucified Him (Luke 23:34). He still died for each of us despite the fact that we don’t deserve His gentleness.

Meekness is esteeming others better than ourselves (Phil 2:3). Meekness is not speaking evil of people. It avoids quarreling and shows hospitality toward all people (Titus 3:2).

Meekness is not weakness. In fact, it is strength. It is a God-given fruit, which means we need His help to completely attain this character trait. We are subject to each other. So, let us strive to “clothe [ourselves] with humility toward one another because ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Pet 5:5; ref Prov 3:34).