Meekness

'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth' Matthew 5:5

What a contrast between the modern and original meaning of this word.

modern definitions include: 'docile, overly compliant, spiritless, yielding, tame. Mild, deficient in courage, submissive and weak.'

Biblical definitions are found in the original Greek (prautes, praus) or Hebrew (anaw). Definitions include 'decided strength of disciplined calmness' and 'someone afflicted or bearing a heavy burden; willing to endure'.

Wigglesworth gives Moses as an example of this quality, whose passion, which led to the killing of an Egyptian, is moulded by God so that he can endure His will without complaint. Paul also is given as an example of someone who put the needs of others before himself. Of course the best example is Jesus: his willingness to carry our burdens and to submit to the will of God on the cross.

“ Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

In his article on meekness, Mark E. Caner writes that it is 'essentially an attitude or quality of heart whereby a person is willing to accept and submit without resistance to the will and desire of God.' Spiritual Meekness: An Imperative Virtue for Christian Leaders (regent.edu) He names it as a fruit of the Spirit (usually translated as 'gentleness',) a result of God's transforming power. Wigglesworth says he 'waited on God for ten days; in those ten days I was being emptied out and the life of the Lord Jesus was being worked into me'

Meekness does not come naturally to us, even if we are generally mild-mannered or gentle by nature. It is not easy to submit our stubborn will or sense of self-righteousness, self-importance, self-interest to the will of God. We need divine grace for this. To be spiritually meek is no longer to be 'concerned with our own ways, ideas and wishes.' (Caner)