By: Erlinda Mejia Olson
JAMES 4:10 ~ "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
Is the meek person a human mouse infected with a sense of his or her own inferiority? Is meekness a glaring weakness? Last month, in a blog endorsed by many major newspapers and publishers, and listed by Technorati as one of the most popular in the blogosphere, author and psychotherapist Mary Jaksch gave subscribers some advice on "How to Ditch Meekness and Walk Tall."
According to Jaksch: ".....The root of meekness is low self-esteem. When our self-esteem is low, we respond to the challenges of life with doubts and fears, if you were bullied, shut up, abused, or controlled you may well suffer from meekness. I say, "suffer" because meekness doesn't make you happy; it leads to an unfulfilled life. Meekness lets others rule your life. Ditching meekness gives you freedom....."
Jaksch, and her company of modern-day psychotherapy friends, would have us believe that meekness is spinelessness and spiritless—a doormat-type inclination that invites abuse. Christian humorist J. Upton Dickson played on this common conception by joking that he was planning to start an organization for the meek called DOORMATS, an acronym for "Dependent Organization of Really Meek And Timid Souls.” (Of course, being the meek man that he was, he gave up the plan when someone objected.)
In modern English, "meekness" carries the stigma of cowardly acquiescence. But the meekness of the Bible—the meekness manifested by God and given to the saints—is a strong, active, volitional, courageous attitude.
The word meek comes from the middle English meke and the Old Norse mjúkr meaning "soft." The Greek adverb (prautes) denotes "a mild, gentle, friendly composure." The adjective variously describes a soothing medicine, a gentle breeze, and a tamed colt. What do all these images have in common? They all describe great power under control. Meekness is submitting ourselves to the Lord, and curbing our natural desire to rebel, fight, have our own way, push ourselves forward, or push back.
Meekness is a disposition that is free of arrogance and pride. It is a calm, peaceful state of mind. The meek person puts up with the weakness of others, and is considerate towards them, enduring injury with great patience and without resentment, trusting in God's goodness and control over the situation. Those who are meek control their attitude and response towards others because they are mindful of God.
They behave like Christ, who did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. Instead, He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. Meekness does not repay evil for evil. Nor does it retaliate when insulted - (1 Peter 2:23 NKJV) "who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;" - (1 Peter 3:9) "not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing."
Meekness overcomes evil with good. Women, in particular, are to clothe themselves with "the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and meek spirit, which is so precious to God." ( 1 Peter 3:4 NKJV) "rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
So is Mary Jaksch right? Is meek being weak? Is the root of meekness low self-esteem? Is meekness giving in to fear? Does meekness lead to unhappiness and an unfulfilled life? Should we work to ditch this disposition? Not according to Scripture.
The Bible teaches that meekness contains great power. Meekness would be weakness if it meant yielding to sin. But because it stems from goodness and Godliness, it is a great strength.
Do you lack meekness? If this is one of your gray areas in life, ask God to help you obtain meekness. Be mindful, that our Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of what meekness is all about. He is the perfect image of meekness and humility.
Let me end with a quote by Marry Kassian: "Paradoxically, it is when we embrace meekness and bow down - that we truly walk tall."
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James 4:6c ~ "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Matthew 11:28-29 ~ "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Titus 3:2 ~ "to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men."
1 Peter 3:3-4 ~ "Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
Psalm 25:9 ~ "The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way."
Romans 12:14-15 ~ "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
Matthew 5:5 ~ "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth."
