What Is Meekness In The Bible?
Meekness is a quality spoken of frequently in the Bible, especially in the New Testament. It is often translated as “gentleness” or “humility” and is regarded as a foundation for a successful and fulfilled life.
In the Greek manuscripts, meekness is most commonly translated from the word “prautes” and can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Biblical scholars agree that the term has both a moral and spiritual component. The Apostle Paul used it to describe an attitude of humility that allows us to accept God’s authority and His directions for our lives.
The Bible speaks of Jesus being meek. After His victory at the feet of Pilate, rather than press his claims to be the King of the Jews, Jesus simply said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” This is an example of meekness, the willingness to submit to the will of God without a fight.
In the context of society and interpersonal relationships, meekness is primarily about having a gentle spirit and mild manner towards other people. It means responding to provocation with patience and grace rather than fighting back. It’s about living in a way that recognizes that we’re not always right and that others’ opinions sometimes have value.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul said, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2). This is an example of meekness in action. It requires us to lay down our own desires, expectations and ambitions and instead to live in a way that reflects the will of God.
Biblical scholars suggest that meekness is a form of understanding and forgiveness; it’s about being able to recognize our own failings and to be forgiving when faced with other peoples’. As Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5).
What Practical Advice Does The Bible Give Regarding Meekness?
The Bible emphasizes the importance of meekness, recognizing it as a key ingredient of a successful and joyful life. Here are some practical ways to practice meekness in our own lives.
Firstly, it’s important to appreciate that we will make mistakes. We must take care not to become defensive or angry when corrected by others, but to accept the feedback with humility and grace.
It’s also important to be considerate of others and to respect their individual perspectives and boundaries. We are called to be generous with our time, understanding that sometimes those who push our buttons have the most need of our patience and love.
Finally, it’s essential to accept our own limitations and to be gracious when faced with mistakes. We all make misjudgments and, whilst striving to improve ourselves, must be willing to forgive and forget.
What Other Lessons Does The Bible Teach Us About Meekness?
The Bible teaches us that there’s strength in meekness – it is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith. The meek, who submit to God’s purposes, are promised the reward of the Kingdom. Furthermore, just as Jesus frequently reminded his followers, meekness is the best and most effective strategy for resolving conflicts and dealing with difficult people.
We are also warned that, if we fail to heed God’s word, we will live in darkness, for it is our un-meekness that separates us from the fullness of God’s love. The Bible makes clear that meekness is essential in our growth towards holiness, and that the meek are blessed both in the short and long term.
And it’s not only meekness that is valued by God, but also boldness. The Bible involves examples of men and women who are both meek and courageous, unafraid to speak truth to power or boldly put themselves on the line for others. We can learn from these examples and strive to have both meekness and boldness in equal measure.
How Does Meekness Help Us Create Strong Relationships?
Meekness is an essential ingredient in healthy relationships. In order for a marriage or other intimate relationship to succeed, for example, each party must be willing to learn from one another and to accept that not everything is a matter of one person’s opinion being right and the other person’s being wrong.
Meekness also helps build strong relationships with colleagues at work. We must be willing to learn from our peers, to put their needs before our own, to put our own agenda aside and be willing to listen sincerely.
In our wider friendships, meekness is important too. We must be willing to embrace our differences and disagreements in a constructive way; to be willing to forgive mistakes, to be honest with each other and to be mindful of our words and tone.
Meekness helps our personal relationships to survive and flourish. It is a fundamental principle of success, both personally and professionally.
What Are The Benefits Of Practicing Meekness?
The Bible has much to say about meekness. It’s clear that it is a quality that God values and rewards, in both the short and long term. Here are some of the main benefits of practicing meekness.
Firstly, living a meek life reduces stress levels. By surrendering to God’s will and accepting the limitations of our own authority and knowledge, we free ourselves from the weight of expectations and the associated anxieties.
Meekness increases our levels of empathy and understanding. We become more aware of the needs of others, making it easier to show kindness and compassion.
It also encourages us to practice self-control and patience. We are more likely to pause before speaking or acting and to choose our words carefully, being judicious about the impact our words might have on others.
Ultimately, meekness increases our level of joy and satisfaction. By recognizing our own failings and accepting the will of God, we are more likely to be content and at peace.
What Is The Difference Between Meekness And Weakness?
The main difference between meekness and weakness is that meekness involves an act of surrender to God’s will while weakness implies a lack of strength or conviction. Meekness is a strong, courageous and humble attitude that allows us to see mistakes, weaknesses and limitations in others while still showing respect.
Meekness is also a quality of strength, rather than passivity. It doesn’t involve abdicating our right to confront injustice, criticizing others, or standing up for what is right. Rather, it encourages us to do so in a respectful and constructive manner.
In contrast, weakness implies a lack of courage and a fear of confrontation. It also often involves a lack of empathy and understanding, leading to unproductive conflict.
How Can We Cultivate Meekness?
Cultivating meekness involves a number of techniques. Firstly, it’s important to practice self-awareness; to recognize and accept our limitations, weaknesses and failures. Practicing mindfulness and prayer can help us to become more aware of our own emotions and to surrender them to God.
It’s also essential to practice gratitude and to maintain humility. We must be willing to accept advice and criticism and to recognize our own need for growth. And we must be willing to go the extra mile and to be generous in our interactions with others.
Finally, it’s important to practice patience. We must be willing to be slow to anger and to recognize that sometimes the best course of action is to wait and to trust in God’s timing.
What Examples In The Bible Can Help Us Further Understand Meekness?
The Bible provides numerous examples of meekness that can help us to better understand the concept. We can learn from the generosity of David, for example, and from his humility before the Lord. We can take inspiration from the courage of Esther and from Daniel’s willingness to offer wise counsel, even in the face of danger.
The meekness of Jesus himself is perhaps the best example. In his message, we can see the timely balance between humility and boldness, between speaking out and taking refuge in God’s presence. We can also see the importance of trusting in God’s timing and the assurance of his ultimate victory.
The Bible is full of examples of meekness. We need look no farther than these stories to find inspiration and an example of how to live a life of meekness to the glory of God.
