November 13

The Fruit Of The Spirit--Meekness

As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, — Eph 4:1-2 BSB

The meek man, according to Luther, is the sweet-tempered man.

Meekness and lowliness are two sides of the same disposition: meekness toward man, and lowliness toward God. “Blessed are the meek,” said our Lord, “for they shall inherit the earth.” This is profoundly true because to the meek and humble in spirit, the hidden beauty of the world is revealed in ways it is withheld from the arrogant and proud. Imagine a millionaire who buys an expensive and beautiful painting and shows it off to his friends, making sure to tell them the high price he paid. To him, the canvas reads, “This picture cost me ten thousand pounds!” Does he truly possess the painting’s beauty? Meanwhile, one of his employees, a girl with a love for art, quietly enters the room whenever she can, absorbing the painting’s inspiration into her soul. Doesn’t she truly own its beauty? So it is that the meek inherit all that is good and beautiful, for all is theirs in God.

One of the Psalter’s most beautiful gems is Psalm 131, where the writer says, “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty.” He describes himself as a weaned child, initially restless and discontented with the change in its diet, but later soothed and quieted. This is a symbol of the meek and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

To acquire this spirit of meekness, ask the Holy Spirit to keep your pride and vanity nailed to the Cross. Believe that the meek and lowly Jesus lives in your heart, and ask Him to live, think, and speak through you. Finally, look to the Holy Spirit for His purifying fire to burn out all envy, pride, anger, and malice in your heart, for these are the elements of hell. Always take the lowest place, confessing that you are not worthy to untie your brother’s sandal.

Prayer

Enable us, O God, to walk as Your dear children. May all impurity, foolish talk, covetousness, bitterness, wrath, and anger be put away from us, along with all malice. Make us meek, as our Savior was. Deliver us from the spirit of retaliation, and may we be peacemakers, soothing strife and easing irritation for Your Name’s sake. Amen.