Meekness and Humility

The Nature and Source of Meekness

What promise is made to the meek?

“Blessed are the meek. For they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5.

Note – Meek: The Greek word thus translated means “gentle,” “humble,” “considerate.”

What did Christ say of His own character?

“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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29. 

What is said of the character of Moses?

“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” Numbers 12:3.

Of what is meekness a fruit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.

Gods’ Fellowship With the Meek

With whom does God dwell?

“For this is what the high and lofty One says – he who lives forever, whose name is holy; “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15.

Whom has God promised to guide in judgment?

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9.

Humble and Exaltation Contrasted

What does Christ say of those who exalt themselves?

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11. 

Note – The spirit of self-exaltation is of Satan. (See Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:17.) Christ humbled Himself, made Himself of no reputation, and became obedient even to the death on the cross.  (See Philippians 2:5-8.)

By what means did Jesus illustrate true humility?

“He called a little child and had him stand among them, And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4.

Note – Humility is “freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth.” It implies a sense of one’s own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness, and consists in rating our claims low, in being willing to waive our rights, and to take a lower place than might be our due. It does not require that we understand ourselves or our lifework. The humility of Christ was perfect, yet He had a true sense of the importance of His life and mission.

“Humility is like a tree, whose root, when it sets deepest in the earth, rises higher, and spreads fairer and stands surer, and lasts longer, and every step of its descent is like a rib of iron.” – Bishop Taylor.

Humbleness in Action

How will humility lead us to esteem others?

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3.

When asked a reason for our hope, in what spirit should we answer?

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15.

Who should labor for one overtaken in a fault, and in what spirit?

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1.

With what should Christian women adorn themselves?

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

1 Peter 3:3,4. 

What are the humble warned to seek?

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zephaniah 2:3.

Note – The fact that the humble are warned to seek humility is evidence that the humble themselves should cherish and cultivate humility, and thus sanctification, or the development of a perfect character, is a progressive work.

The Reward of the Humble

Why are we warned to humble ourselves?

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6.

Note – “The higher a man is in grace, the lower he will be in his own esteem.” Spurgeon.

With what has the Lord promised to beautify the humble?

“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.”

Psalm 149:4.

What inheritance is promised to the meek?

“A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” Psalm 37:10,11.    

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