Meek and Mild

Meekness is possibly the most misunderstood fruit of the Spirit. Find out what the bible says about it.

Meekness is the second to last fruit of the Spirit that is mentioned in Galatians 5:23. According to Merriam-Webster, meek is defined as enduring injury with patience and without resentment; in spirit and courage, submissive; and not violent or strong. From this definition we can infer that meekness is associated with humility.

Meekness and humility go hand-in-hand.

Meekness is consistently linked with lowliness. To be lowly is defined as humble in station, condition, or nature; low in growth or position; and humble in attitude, behavior, or spirit; meek (Dictionary.com). In Ephesians 4:2, the scripture says with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. The bible goes on to say let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Philippians 2:3).

Meekness causes us to exalt others; it helps us to not see ourselves as higher than we ought to. This is shown so gloriously through the character of Christ. In Matthew 11:29, we hear Jesus telling us that He is meek and lowly in heart. The Apostle Paul beseeched the church of Corinth by the meekness and gentleness of Christ in 2 Corinthians 10:1. In James 1:21, we are told to lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of haughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. We receive the Word of God in meekness. We cannot receive the Word by being haughty and taking on the mentality that we know everything because we are then operating in pride. The bible is clear that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

Scripture says to humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5:6). We do not exalt ourselves, we allow our Father in heaven to exalt us in His time. Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor (Proverbs 18:12). Meekness helps us to slow down and examine our hearts so that we can enter the world, situations, and relationships with the correct stance. The Apostle Paul says to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people (Titus 3:2). The King James version of this scripture says shewing all meekness unto all men. This was to train us in the way we should instruct others and to prepare ourselves to be used for the purposes of God.

Meekness and pride are contradictory and cannot exist at the same time within one person. The spiritual fruit of meekness cannot operate outside of God because it is the character of God that causes it to be manifested. Often, we do not have a solid understanding of meekness and humility because we do not want to go through anything that will shake and stretch us. We like to be comfortable and to stay within our safety nets. For true humility to be experienced, we must let God take control and let Him write our story. This will most certainly come with tests and trials, times of discomfort and pain, but it will equally make us stronger and will propel us to another level in our journey with the Father.