Key Verse
The operational definition of meekness is “yielding my personal rights and expectations to God.” An expectation is a strong assumption that a certain desire will be fulfilled. If an expectation is not met, a person may be disappointed. A right is a privilege or position that is truly yours to claim. Everyone has been given specific rights by their Creator. Sometimes people mistakenly assume something to be a right when it is not. For example, God gives the right to life and to worship Him. However, a person may not be entitled to have comforts or do whatever he wants. Often conflicts occur because people sense that their real or perceived rights are being threatened, and they try to guard them. Trusting God as his Protector and Father, a Christian who exhibits meekness willingly releases any claim to his rights and expectations. He knows God will do what is good. (See Romans 8:28–29.)
The opposite of meekness is anger. When a person perceives that his rights might be taken away, he may react to defend them. Although there is a proper time to respectfully take a stand for God’s ways, most conflicts usually revolve around selfish desires and could be averted by an attitude of meekness. Instead of confessing anger, people often excuse it as frustration, irritation, or annoyance. Angrily demanding our rights and expectations becomes a heavy burden (Proverbs 27:3), which leads to bitterness. Shouting, bullying, and violence may also result. While God is merciful and slow to anger, His wrath is just and righteous. However, our wrath does not produce good results (James 1:20). God says to put away our anger and wrath. (See Colossians 3:8, Romans 12:19.) Anger is destructive, both to oneself and to others. God does not mean for us to use anger as a weapon! Instead, what effective weapons has He given to believers? (See II Corinthians 10:3–6, Ephesians 6:17–18.)
Evaluation Questions
- Do I recognize my anger as a signal that I need to yield my rights and expectations to God?
- In unsettling situations, do I remain peaceful because I trust that God is loving and sovereign?
- Am I willing to keep quiet and listen so others may be heard?
- When I am frustrated, do I consider if my goal is to serve myself or to love the other person?
- Do I regard people as more valuable than my possessions so that I can respond lovingly and kindly, even when my things are disturbed?
- Am I more concerned about my relationship with God or about winning an argument?
- When I don’t get my way, do I speak disrespectfully about those in leadership?
- Am I willing to identify and release the expectations I have of others?
- Do I regard meekness as strength or weakness?
More About Meekness
God enables me to:
Be slow to get angry.
Listen more than I speak.
Put others before myself.
Stop arguments by yielding my rights.
Control my reactions.
Remember that He is in control.
Rely on His strength.
Yield my expectations.
Quiet my heart.
Use my energy to serve others.
Meekness in Scripture
Abram Gives Lot First Choice
Revealed in Nature
Horse
For Kids
Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum
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Free Resources for Meekness
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