“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.”

Matthew 5:5 NKJV

I like to refer to meekness as strength under control. It’s like an animal that has been tamed. That animal still has the strength she had prior to being tamed. The difference between then and now is that the animal is subject to the owner’s authority and will only show that strength when the need arises. The same animal that can tear and destroy can be cuddled because that animal has learned how to put her strength under control.

A perfect example of someone who showed this attribute is Jesus Christ. Imagine his journey to the cross. He has the power to kill everyone who oppressed him. He could have called on angels to come fight on His behalf. But he didn’t. This is exactly an attribute Jesus Christ wants us to have.

Meekness is different from quietness. Oftentimes we mistake both. To be meek is to totally yield oneself to God’s authority. In this race we are in, we really cannot go far if we don’t have this attribute. And I think it is one of the most needed attributes in the church today. Humility. These days most people want a platform and want their voices to be heard. However, it takes meekness to stay under authority. We need meekness to be able to have the right relationship with people. This we won’t be able to do if we don’t see them with the eyes of love.

Meekness isn’t when we never disagree with people. To be meek isn’t to tolerate sin and to never speak up about things that should be spoken about.

To be meek isn’t to always sweep things under the carpet in order not to face and deal with issues. Remember Jesus Christ who is our perfect example of meekness is a loving God of justice. He spoke up against the Pharisees when He needed to.

Being meek doesn’t mean we shouldn’t say no. It isn’t saying yes to everything just to please everyone. We are not Jesus Christ. There is a limit to what we can do and handle. As such it’s totally OK to say “sorry I can’t make it. I need to rest”. Or “please I won’t be available”.

Meekness doesn’t equate to being a weakling. Moses who was the meekest man on earth (Numbers 12:3) wasn’t a coward. He was strong. In Numbers 12:1-4, we see what happened when his siblings ganged up against him. Moses the same man who had the strength to fight and kill someone, this time left his battle with God. He didn’t try to vindicate himself. He left vengeance for God.

To be meek is to have a teachable spirit. Not having “I know it all” attitude. It’s to be able to receive the word of God with humility of heart, allowing the word to transform our hearts.

Meekness isn’t fear either. Remember anything associated with fear isn’t from God. The only kind of fear we should have is godly fear which is reverence for God.

Meekness is us submitting to God. When we submit to God, we see things and people from His perspective and this helps us to be gentle to others.

Just like the example I gave of the tamed animal, it also takes “taming” for us to become meek. No one is born meek. Yes someone may be quiet, shy or soft-spoken naturally but like I said before that isn’t the same as being meek. The only way we can train ourselves to become meek is by feeding our spirit with the word of God. No human word has the ability to transform. I feel sometimes we underestimate the power of the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says,

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

One of the good things about studying the bible is that we are certain it is God’s word. But when we hear from someone, we still have to double-check with the Word of God.

So the more we study and meditate on the bible, the more we are transformed from the inside out. And God begins to prune us, making us look the way He wants us to.

To be meek is to have a servant’s heart. Exercising our strength for the benefit of others. It is when we don’t think more highly of ourselves.

The blessing that comes with this attribute is that we will inherit the earth.

The blessings from the teaching of the Beatitudes don’t refer to earthly blessings and riches. What I understand by the meek inheriting the earth is that they find contentment in God. Not because they have everything but because they are confident in The One who can provide everything. They are vindicated by God, enjoy the peace that comes from God and have the privilege of reigning with Jesus Christ in the new earth.

This was very convicting for me. Hope you found it helpful.

Are you meek?

 

–Efua Uke is a mentor, blogger, and contributor to Ambo TV.  This article originally appeared on her website Grace Over Pain.