Matthew 5: 5 ----> Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Word Study:
- Greek: prautes ----> an inwrought grace of the soul, strength under control. It is the temper of the Spirit which we accept His dealing with us as good. Prautes is a condition of mind and heart.
- Hebrew: anav ----> Entirely depended on God. It is those who quietly submit themselves to God, to His Word, to His rod, and follow His direction.
When you’re in control of your strength you’re meek and you don't over react to people. Jesus is saying continual happiness is for those who control their reactions. Meekness is not cowardice/weak. Meekness is commanded by God to us and it is the fruit of power. The opposites of meekness are sudden anger, long harbored vengeance, malice, selfishness. If you want to live at a higher level then you must become meek. If you want to live continually a happier and more fulfilled life you must control your emotions.
Why we develop meekness?
- Because meekness produce peace
- Meekness is a proof of true greatness of soul
Five Ways of Being Meek:
- By understanding not demanding
- Philippians 2:4-5: Don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too, and in what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ's. (GNB)
- Most of the time it’s easier to be demanding than it is to be understanding.
- Meekness takes into consideration the feelings of others and not just my feelings.
- Being gentle not judgmental
- High level living says that people don't have to reach up to your standards to be loved.
- Galatians 6:1-2: If a person is trapped in some sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens. (NIV)
- Being tender without surrender
- We must be tender without surrender.
- The test of maturity is how you handle disagreeable people, people who irritate you, people who like to contradict you, people who like to get in arguments and like to quarrel with you.
- It's not being passive, or giving in, or letting the other person have their way.
- Meekness is not compromising your convictions. It is knowing what you should do in a given situation and doing it regardless of the situation you are in.
- James 3:16-17: Wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder... But wisdom from above is pure, peaceful, gentle (meek), and friendly. (GNB).
- Meekness is learning to disagree agreeably. An argumentative spirit indicates an ego problem. If you like to quarrel, if you like to get into arguments, you've got an ego problem.
- Meekness is being able to walk hand in hand without seeing eye to eye
- Being teachable without being unreachable
- Meekness is a teachable spirit. Meek people don't pretend they know it all.
- James
- If you’re learning you’re growing. Proverbs 13:18: Whoever listens to correction is honoured. (NIV)
- I’d rather change my mind and succeed than have my own way and fail."
- Being pro-active not reactive
- Take the initiative.
- Romans 12:17, 21 Do not repay evil for evil but overcome evil with good. (NIV)
- An unavoidable fact of life is that you will be hurt. But, the question is “How do you respond to it?”
- Meekness is the ability to handle a hurt without retaliating. Proverbs 16:32: He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his own spirit, than he who captures a city. (NIV)
- You're emotions are either controlled by your circumstances which is low level living or by the right attitude, which is high level living. We choose the level of happiness we live at.
- Meek people are self-controlled, they chose their reactions to life.
- Greek: the globe, the landmass, the ground AND it’s occupants!
- Hebrew: It is ‘Nations’. You will seize upon, possess, take forcibly, NATIONS! (Psalm 37:11)
Proverb 4: 23: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Issues of life (refer to geographical expansion, worldly property and success in life)
What do we learn?
- A meek person is: - Understanding, not demanding
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- I need to be desperate for God. Without his help I cannot hang on to Him.
- I am totally 100% dependable on Him for his love, grace and mercy.
- I need His power and strength today!
- The reward for being meek: They shall inherit the earth (land)
- Titus 3: 2: “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” God wants us to show meekness toward all men
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