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"Blessed Are the Meek"
by Greg Gwin
People generally have the idea that a "meek" individual is one that is extremely quiet, withdrawn, timid, and one who finds it very difficult to be confrontational or straightforward. It is thought that it would be hard for a "meek" person to hold or defend a strong opinion or conviction. Even modern dictionaries define this characteristic as "unduly patient or submissive; spiritless." Such definitions miss the mark.
Jesus was described as "meek" (Matthew 21:5), yet He never hesitated to express the truth. His strong rebukes of the hypocritical Pharisees (Matthew 23) certainly show Him as bold, courageous, and confrontational. Moses was said to have been "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3). But we well remember how he boldly demanded the freedom of the Israelites from Pharaoh and ultimately led the people out of bondage. Do you begin to see that Biblical usage of the work "meek" is far different than the modern concept?
W.E. Vine says: "The meaning of 'prautes' is not ready expressed in English, for the terms meekness, mildness, commonly used, suggest weakness and pusillanimity to a greater or less extent, whereas 'prautes' is nothing of the kind . The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was 'meek' because he had the infinite resources of God at His command. Described negatively, meekness is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all" (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 738)
"Meekness" is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). We need it! Let's be sure that we are "showing all meekness to all men" (Titus 3:2).
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larryrouse@aubeacon.comOther Articles by Greg Gwin
Complaints About the Church
Did Jesus Use Carnal Methods to Attract Crowds?
I Don't Love Her Anymore
A Problem Area For Preachers
The Mark of the Beast
How to Know What God Wants Me to Do
Role Models
Would You Allow This?
