Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
- Verse 22 deals with outward actions of a Christian:
Love – Can not be expressed without action
Joy – Something that you can see, share and enjoy
Peace – If the genuine absence of conflict. True peace takes action to maintain.
Longsuffering – This is impossible unless there are those who will learn and benefit from it.
Gentleness – Again an action that is expressed
Goodness – A genuine effort to please and share with others what God has blessed.
Faith – Can be measured and tested. Faith is only identified when shown.
Next in verse 23 we find 2 things that are not outwardly expressed. They are internal, yet can present an outward reaction.
Websters 1828 Dictionary says for Meekness:
- Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.
Now the man Moses was very meek above all men. Numbers 12:3.
- Appropriately, humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations. Christ says, ‘Learn of me, for I am meekand lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls.’ Matthew 11:29.
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5.
Meekness is often viewed in society as weakness, but in fact it shows as a strength of character that must come from deep inside. It can’t be imitated or faked. It truly is an inner peace that passeth all understanding.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
How do I have the inner strength that is Meekness?
Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
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11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
- If needed
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.