“Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” - Numbers 12:3

Among the nine characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, the eighth characteristic is gentleness–which is also known as meekness. Most people in the world confuse meekness with weakness. Even Jim Collins, one of the greatest minds of the best business practices of our time, refers to meekness as weakness in his book, “Good to Great.” True meekness is actually the opposite of weakness. There is nothing weak about being meek; some of the most powerful people who ever lived were meek. Just as you cannot be meek without strength, real strength is demonstrated through meekness. Meekness is power under control. It is the internal strength in which one chooses whether or not to use the power and privilege that they have been granted. Only weak people abuse power. The truly powerful know how to yield power when necessary and use it properly. Weak people are controlled by their power and privilege rather than controlling it. They do not have the internal strength or discipline to resist the temptation of using their power to realize their emotional impulses and protect themselves from their fears. If they want something, they get it; if they feel like doing something, they act on it; and if they are afraid of something, they try to control or destroy it. Meekness is about not letting your fears or emotions rule you but allowing yourself to be ruled by the Spirit.

Some examples of individuals who were meek in the Bible are:

Abraham – had the upper hand on his nephew Lot. He was his elder and the one God was using. He could have used this advantage to get the best piece of land, but he allowed Lot to choose first. (Genesis 13:7-12)

Moses – had direct access to God. God even asked Moses to allow Him to get rid of all the Israelites and choose a new people that Moses would lead. However, Moses used his access to God to intercede for the people rather than to take revenge on them. (Numbers 14:11-19)

Joseph – was mistreated by his brothers and became the second most powerful man in Egypt. When the time came that his brothers needed him, instead of taking revenge, he forgave them and helped them settle in Egypt. (Genesis 45:1-11)

Jesus – was God Himself, left heaven and came to serve man. Man mistreated and rejected Him, but He never used His divine nature to protect Himself and hurt others. Rather, He used it to defend and serve others. (Luke 22:47-51)

“Who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” - Philippians 2:6-7

How to be meek:

• Embrace the power and privilege God has given you
• Use what you have to protect others and advance God’s purposes
• Be ruled by the Spirit rather than by fear and emotions
• Do not be quick to protect and defend yourself
• Be able to handle mistreatment without exerting your power and influence (except in cases of abuse)
• Do not feel the need to always reveal who you are
• Accept God’s will in every situation

A true Biblical Entrepreneur is meek. He recognizes that God has given him a position of authority and influence in the marketplace and uses it to protect others while advancing God’s agenda and not his own.

My prayer for you is that you would recognize the power and influence that the Lord has given you so that you may use it to protect others and advance God’s will.