The best test of meekness is found in the word
attitude. I want to suggest to you that a test of three areas in which our
attitude will reveal the degree of our meekness.
• Attitude Toward The Circumstances Of Our Lives
Too many face the difficulties of life by
fretting. The Psalmist speaks to that problem in Psalm 37 saying, “Do not fret
because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity... (11) But the
meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of
peace... (22) For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those
cursed by Him shall be cut off. .. (34) Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And
He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall
see it.” (Psalm 37:1, 11, 22, 34)
The point the Psalmist is making is that the
meek person is the one who does not fret over circumstances in their lives but
rather by faith cast all their burden on the Lord trusting that He will take
care of them. Peter invites the believer in 1 Peter 5:7, “cast all your care
upon Him, for He cares for you.”
• Attitude Toward A Brother Who Sins.
Another area in which meekness is remarkably
evident is in how one treats a fellow believer in sin. The Apostle Paul advises
the believers in Galatia, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you
who are to spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) The standard is, to seek
to restore the individual through gentleness and concern. Church discipline is
never about punishment and is always about restoration. How one reacts to the
sin of a fellow Christian reveals volumes about their own spiritual condition.
• Attitude Toward Those People Who Disagree With
Us
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but
be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (25) in humility (meekness)
correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the truth.” (2 Tim. 2:24-25)
Meekness is that quality which is best demonstrated
when you are dealing with unreasonable people. It’s not hard to be gentle when
you are feeling good and have no pressure. One writer put this way, “Meekness
is seen when you are under the gun, up against deadline, surrounded by
problems, hip deep in alligators and no way to drain the swamp, and you feel
yourself getting frustrated. If you don’t have it then, you just don’t have it
at all.” [Ray Pritchard. “The Right Stuff.” Series on the Beatitudes]
If you think that meekness has anything to do with weakness, think again! Meekness is power under control - your power under His control.
Will you surrender to His power?