Christian Character is formed NOT by outward compulsion but by inward COMPASSION.
I want to be meek.
Webster's Dictionary says being meek is being humbly patient or compliant, spiritless and tame
Most contemporary translations in the bible changed meek into gentleness and humility.
The King James version of Galatians 5.22-23 uses the work meekness....as a fruit of the spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
King James Version (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The New Living Translation says...
Galatians 5:22-23
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
The New Living Translation uses the word gentleness --
I found this in a commentary by Matthew Henry:
that the original work MEEK as it was intended in the GREEK ....is not merely a natural virtue but a Christian 'grace'.
It clearly states in Matthew --
Matthew 5:5New International Version (NIV)5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
There are two essential components for this quality to come into play in the Bible: a conflict, in which an individual is unable to control or influence circumstances and then we'd get frustrated and maybe bitter and angry, but the one who is guided by God's spirit accepts God's ability to direct events. And then two -- an action. Meekness is therefore an active and deliberate acceptance of undesirable circumstances ...that are only part of a bigger picture.
In the Greek, this word when applied to animals makes clear, it means 'tame' when applied to wild animals - such animals have NOT lost their strength but have learned to control the destructive instincts that prevent them from living in harmony with others.
So, like a wild horse that has to be broken...as we allow the fruit of meekness, then we are broken before Him and then 'tamed' for service for Him. We have GREAT power.
The Spirit of the meek Christian is not broken but broken in and harnessed for service.
Meekness is calm confidence.
Meekness is settled assurance.
Meekness is a rest of the soul in a place of peace.
Meekness spring from a heart of humility.
With meekness we can rest in storms...See Matthew 11. 28-30
Others wil be fearful - See Mark 4. 35-41 but those with Meekness will react with peace and trust...See Isaiah 26. 3-4
And... when fretful or fearful people try to manipulate, see James 4. 1-3 - a person with meekness makes ALL life choices based on Psalm 119.105.
HIS word is a LIGHT unto my feet.
I believe MEEKNESS is vital for a marriage...for a relationship with a co-worker, a character trait to be taught to our children and practiced.
I did not realize HOW important it was to be meek. And the other fruit of SELF- Control is RIGHT there will it. God listed it last...sort of like a 'summary' in a sense.
Without Self-Control ...the other Fruits of the Spirit can be unused or misused.
Love can become saccharine sentimentality -
Joy becomes heady euphoria -
Peace become complacency -
Patience become leniency -
Kindness becomes blandness -
Goodness becomes self-righteousness -
Faithfulness becomes slavishness - and
Gentleness becomes weakness.
Christian Character is formed not by outward compulsion but my inward compassion. Not by legal regulation but by spiritual reformation. It is the Holy Spirit who lives within me...lives within you...If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will produce the fruits of the Spirit as surely as an apple trees bears fruit! It will happen.
Be Meek.
There was an Encounter Weekend..many women were set free from STRONHOLDS and hurts that have kept them in such a state of bondage.....but now they are free.
I will share more when the Holy Spirit releases me to... but today, I am sharing about being MEEK...as THAT is what the Holy Spirit showed me on Sunday when he awoke me at 3.48am...with only 3 hours to sleep that night before, I received from Him a 'wurd' and it was received and it proved to be HIS doing...not mine.
We as women are to be meek -- but true meekness is strength.... a quiet strength....
The focus for the prayer today - is to remain meek...in HIM.
Lord, I pray for my sister in Christ and I add this evening ALL the sisters in Christ that went to the Encounter. I pray for all the leaders who went and those who stayed behind and interceded with prayer, or keeping the church going. I thank you Lord...for the fact that all of them understand meekness and that they will strive their best to walk in that.
Lord, I pray for each and every one of those women...as the enemy begins to attack as they walk back into their everyday lives...I bind the enemy away and claim all victories and promises given will remain with the eyes and hearts of the recipients.
Lord, let NO one or NOTHING be a distraction for them this first day 'home'..and may YOUR light continue to SHINE down upon them..in Jesus name...
I am humbled - beyond words....
amen. - Michelle
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