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Meekness, also referred to as gentleness, is one of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. However, most people in the world confuse meekness with weakness.
Even Jim Collins, one of the greatest minds of our time in the field of best business practices, refers to meekness as weakness in his well-known 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 possessing great inner strength, real strength is demonstrated externally through meekness.
Meekness, or gentleness, is actually power that is under control. It is the internal strength that allows one to choose to either use or withhold 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 to use it properly - that is, to benefit others rather than exploit them.
Whereas, rather than controlling their power and privilege, weak people are controlled by it. They do not have the internal strength or discipline to resist the temptation of using their power to satisfy their emotional impulses or to protect themselves from their wider insecurities or fears.
If they want something, they get it; if they feel like doing something, they act upon it; and if they are afraid of something, they try to either control or destroy it. Ouch!
Meekness is about not letting your fears or emotions rule you but allowing yourself to be ruled by the Holy Spirit.
Here are some examples from the Bible of individuals who were extremely powerful but were able to control that power by exercising meekness in their dealings with others.
· Abraham (Genesis 13:7-12)
Abraham had the upper hand on his nephew Lot. Since he was his elder and the one God was using, he could have easily used this advantage to get the best piece of land, but he allowed Lot to choose first.
· Moses (Numbers 14:11-19)
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.
· Joseph (Genesis 45:1-11)
Joseph was badly mistreated by his brothers, but he overcame this and many other severe trials and setbacks to eventually become 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.
· Jesus (Luke 22:47-51)
Jesus, God the Son, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, in complete humility, left Heaven and came to Earth in human form to serve man. Even though man mistreated and rejected Him, He never used His Divine nature to protect Himself or to hurt others. Instead - and although ultimately it cost Him His life - He used His power and authority to defend and serve others.
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 can we demonstrate meekness and gentleness in our own lives?
· Embrace the power and privilege God has given you
· Use what you have to protect others and to advance God’s Kingdom purposes
· Be ruled by the Holy Spirit rather than by emotions, particularly fear and insecurity
· Do not be overly quick to protect and defend yourself - respond rather than react
· 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
If you are a Biblical Entrepreneur, you will be meek, recognizing that you occupy a God-given position of authority and influence in the marketplace. That position is to be used to protect others while advancing God’s Kingdom purposes. This will require you to lay down your own plans and purposes so that His gentleness and meekness can work both in you and through you as a Christlike witness to those around you.
My prayer for you is that you would recognize the power and influence that the Lord has given you so that in gentleness and meekness, you may use it to protect others and advance God’s Kingdom.
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