Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
I've got a little scenario for you today that I want you to think about
in regard to meekness. Ready? Revert your mind back to the summertime...
It’s the annual family picnic. All the relatives are there and everyone
is poised for a good time. The weather is great and the food is abundant.
At game time, the annual softball game has commenced when, rather unexpectedly,
a dispute about a foul ball breaks out. There are some harsh words exchanged.
Uncle Fred packs up the family and goes home. It is a long time before
the relatives again see him or his family at the annual picnic.
Using your creative imagination, what do you think was the response of
the rest of the relatives at the moment Uncle Fred left the picnic? Based
on the circumstances, do you think Uncle Fred did the right thing? Better
yet, what is it about us humans that makes us "take up our things and
go home" like Uncle Fred did? Perhaps after you read this passage of scripture
below you'll discover the answer...
1 Peter 3:8-17 (KJV)
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love
as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: [9] Not rendering evil for evil,
or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are
thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. [10] For he that
will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil,
and his lips that they speak no guile: [11] Let him eschew evil, and do
good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord
are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but
the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. [13] And who is he
that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? [14] But
and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid
of their terror, neither be troubled; [15] But sanctify the Lord God in
your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you WITH MEEKNESS and fear: [16] Having
a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers,
they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
[17] For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well
doing, than for evil doing.
After reading this passage of scripture, how do you think Jesus would
have acted if He had been in Uncle Fred’s place? How would Christ have
wanted us to act in a similar spot?
The word "meek" appears a number of times in the Bible, thirty-one times
in fact. Meekness is always regarded as a very positive trait and one
that God places high value upon according to 1 Peter 3:4. The world, on
the other hand, considers meekness ridiculous and a quality that will
only cause you to be "stepped on", or "walked all over" as the expressions
go. But we care more what God says about it, and in Galatians 5:22 & 23,
scripture points out that meekness is a fruit of the Spirit - against
which there is no law! It is an indwelling character trait of the Holy
Spirit that brings forth from our lives a guiltless, Christ-like behavior...
Matthew 11:29 (KJV)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I AM MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
In the face of tension and hostility, the Lord teaches us that there is
great blessing to everyone that would seek after meekness and apply it,
to stand before their enemy and say: "I refuse to quarrel with you and
fight your fight. As far as it depends on me, I will be at peace with
all men." Such a stand takes courage and faith, amen ladies? Especially
when you want to retaliate! No wonder the Lord layered meekness upon the
fruit of faith... Meekness requires trusting in the Lord for His protection.
It is not pacifism or weakness; it is a bold step into the fight - to
properly end it!
Psalm 25:9 (KJV)
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Sounds good, but how to do it may be the question you are asking yourself
right now... What is necessary in order to behave meekly?
1 Peter 3:8a (KJV)
Finally be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another....
Perhaps today there are divisions all around you. Maybe you've not been
in unity with folks lately, your husband for starters. Have you been having
a hard time “playing softball” with the family like Uncle Fred? Ladies,
Christians can differ on how things may be done, but they must agree on
what is to be done and why. What matters most is if the differing parties
are seeking to honor Christ in their behavior, if they are seeking to
apply meekness to their differences. Unity should be the mindset of the
believer. It is a mindset that is guided by scripture and coupled with
love, humility, compassion, pity and courtesy - proof that the Spirit
of God is in control of you!
1 Cor. 4:21 (KJV)
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the
spirit of meekness?
As brethren – members in the SAME family, we ought to share in both joys
and trials with one another, failures and successes. We ought to be able
to feel for and with each other, amen? You certainly can't do that without
an attitude of meekness toward people - something Uncle Fred was sorely
lacking! You see ladies; meekness helps us tolerate one another's quirks.
It will help us do good to our enemies even when they treat us badly.
Meekness helps us get through those "bad days" we have with each other.
Persecution or friction can actually become a time of spiritual enrichment
and joy when filtered by the Spirit of meekness! It's not a time to give
up and quit the ballgame and go home mad... Meekness is a deliberate act
of the will, an attitude of faith in God, a decision to stay, even when
the game isn't in your favor!
Psalm 37:11 (KJV)
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in
the abundance of peace.
How about you, dear lady? Would your friends and family say you are one
who is quick to fight? Do you exhibit meekness toward others, a tender
heart toward someone who hits a "foul ball", so to speak? Do you exhibit
proper manners in your conduct and conversation toward individuals concerning
their short comings, their failures? Are you usually fussing and fuming
about issues over which you have no control? If so, you're lacking meekness
of Spirit, for the Bible says that the meek delight themselves in the
abundance of peace. A fretful, discontented spirit is open to many temptations.
Yet, through the control of the Holy Spirit, you can still act like a
lady in the midst of any conflict. It really isn't necessary to behave
like Uncle Fred and lose control or get "in the face" of the one who messed
up!
1 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit
a blessing.
Retaliation such as this is forbidden to the Christian. You know how good
it feels to be Uncle Fred and just tell someone off and then walk away?
Well, forget it! That is not the scriptural way to handle matters. What
is then? We are to give the other person a blessing - the blessing of
your meekness in the situation, the Spirit of God in control of you! The
rest of that verse says, "knowing that ye are thereunto called." Ladies,
meekness is expected of the child of God - that is the proper behavior
and the way our heavenly Father wants us to react to the "Uncle Freds"
that may be in our lives today, people that just get in your face and
make you feel like a jerk for hitting a foul ball. God would not have
us exchange harsh words with Uncle Fred right there in the middle of the
field for all the family at the annual picnic to witness...
1 Tim. 6:11 (KJV)
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Remember ladies, the world is watching us conduct our lives as Christians,
and we need to remember that the stands are full of spectators who laugh
when believers fight with one another. The world enjoys it when we hit
foul balls and aggravate one another to the point of frustration and fighting.
The coach of the opposing team, Satan himself, likes it when we become
defeated to the point of walking away from the game completely - the Christian
race itself! Oh, how he cheers then because all it took was one foul ball
and one Uncle Fred full of harsh words to get you to quit! How much wiser
and safer it is to be taken up with the things of God...
James 3:13 (KJV)
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out
of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
True wisdom is known by the meekness of our spirits and temper. Rather
than fussing and fighting, God has a blessing for us to inherit if we
would but follow His plan for difficult situations such as these that
may come into our lives. We don't have to render evil for evil or railing
for railing. We can instead share a blessing with others when we react
properly to their "foul balls". We also gain a blessing ourselves when
we treat our enemies with compassion, love, pity and courtesy - all of
which Uncle Fred was lacking! That blessing is peace... Yes ladies, we
can be responsible for bringing peace into an otherwise stressful situation
when following after meekness! What could otherwise turn out to be a bad
day can actually become a good day when applying scriptural principles
to our lives.
Regrettably, it is very common for us to look upon ourselves as wiser
and better than others, and as fit to dictate to them as the situation
arises. However, the better we know our own hearts and ways, the less
shall we despise others and be prone to giving folks a "piece of our mind".
There is a healthier way to handle infirmities. The Lord tells us that
it is better for us to suffer for doing right, than for doing wrong in
a situation. Be committed to staying in the game; be prepared for some
foul balls to come your way! Catch them with your glove of love and throw
them back with meekness. Be committed to each player regardless of their
maturity or ability to hit a home run every time they are up to bat. Be
committed to each player even when they may blame you for their "foul
balls". Don't retaliate! Don't go home mad - stay in the game and play
by God's rules. It's far better to be like Jesus than Uncle Fred, amen?
Galatians 6:1 (KJV)
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore
such an one in the SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; considering thyself, lest thou
also be tempted.
But the fruit... Is there any in your life?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003
