Walking in Meekness

Walking in Meekness

By Cliff Silliman

I grew up in the 50’s with a culture that said meekness was a weakness. I played cowboys and Indians with my brother and we were raised on WWII movies. Meek as a positive attribute seemed foreign. You are supposed to be tough, strong, bold, and a leader, not meek and mild, right?  Maybe a humble sort of like Davey Crockett, but you had a side kick who sang songs about your exploits. So when I read that meekness is a fruit of Spirit, I am not sure how bad I want that to manifest in my life. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Even more radical to me is the comment in Matthew 5:5 from the Sermon on the Mount, “The meek shall inherit the earth.” What happened to survival of the fittest? In my mind weakness and meekness were synonymous. It is obvious that God looks at this quality differently than I do.

Ephesians 4:1, 2 says that we must walk in meekness if we are to be worthy of the call of Christ. Colossians 3:12 tells me I am to put on meekness. 1 Timothy 6:11 tells me to pursue meekness. 2 Timothy 2:25 calls on me to correct the opposition with meekness. Titus 3:2 tells me to show meekness to all men. James mentions meekness twice, James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” James 1:21 “Receive with meekness the implanted word.” It doesn’t seem like I can get away from this meekness if I want to be everything that God desires for me. Maybe I am looking at it wrong?

I was thinking that meek meant weak, timid, shy, and namby-pamby, not strong and manly. Yet when was Jesus at His most powerful? It wasn’t when He was doing miracles, healings, or walking on water. It was when He set aside His power of His own free will for a higher cause. It was when He had the power to call down legions of angels to deal with Pilot, Herod, or the devil, and chose not to.

Standing in my position as a son of God, my power as heir to throne, and yet to be perfectly sensitive to the way to act in a given situation, is being meek. It is power under control, like a stallion in a race. Many of us are just now coming into the understanding that we have strength and power and kingdom authority as children of most High God and King. May wisdom and maturity bring us to a place where we exercise that power in such a way that He will receive more glory.

I am so glad the Spirit is within me to manifest meekness as a fruit in my life. I’m also thankful that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion. Meekness will flow from me as a result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life. Wonders never cease!