Harvesting the Fruit of Meekness

“But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness
temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23

Okay, let’s get serious. Isn’t it pretty obvious that the world could use a little more meekness? I’ve been looking in my mirror and heart and it’s clear I could use some. Our communities, culture, and country today are inundated with an air of pride and arrogance that is permeating our lives; over what we own, accomplish, believe, prefer, like, and don’t like. It’s stirring fears, frustrations, and fighting, which takes us far from the fruit of meekness that God wants for us.

Lately, when I’m frustrated with what I see going on in the world, I’ve begun to express my own disapproval or disgust with an arrogance that chases meekness out the window. I proudly think or say things like, “Who do they think they are? Can’t they see the damage they’re doing? Where is this getting any of us? Isn’t anyone going to do something about it? Why can’t our leaders lead better? How can we put up with this?” I’ve reacted with any number of responses that have revealed pride on my part. While I often feel justified, I know that isn’t the way God wants me to behave and it never improves the situations or addresses the issues.

Meekness isn’t a natural-born trait. It’s a fruit of God’s Spirit that we must learn to submit to. A search of the Greek definition for meekness, as used in Galatians 5, and in two different dictionaries, provided a list of qualities attributed to those who exhibit meekness:

Meekness – Greek #4236 – praotēs
From G4235; gentleness; by implication humility: –

Meekness – noun 
Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations. (1828 American Dictionary of the English Language)

Meekness – noun
: the quality or state of being meek : a mild, moderate, humble, or submissive quality (Merriam-Webster 2022 Online Dictionary)

Notice the words in each definition. They specifically spell out how a meek person should behave. These are qualities of meekness that others should see in our lives. It should cause us to react and respond to life’s difficulties differently than people who don’t have the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their life’s garden. Let’s consider what meekness means to us.

What Meekness Is

Meekness is another fruit of God’s Spirit provided to help us live God’s way.  It is a quality He wants to produce in our lives for our good and the good of others. This Godly meekness includes:

• Humility
• Softness of temper
• Mildness
• Gentleness
• Forbearance
• Moderate living
• Submission

This meekness eliminates our desire for vain glory or provoking and envying one another.
(Galatians 5:25-26)

What Meekness Isn’t:

Meekness is the opposite of aggressive behavior. It keeps us from being:

• Proud or Arrogant
• Prone to Anger
• Harsh
• Heartless
• Impatient
• Excessive
• Rebellious

While we can’t change others or demand meekness of them, we can submit to the Holy Spirit’s fruit of meekness. We can show how it changes our behaviors and responses, which can lead to changes in others.

“Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault,
ye which are spiritual, restore such an one
in the spirit of meekness,
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1

If we all chose to employ meekness in our lives, the world could become a much more humble and harmonious place.

Bring It Home

Are we seeing God’s fruit of meekness in our gardens?

Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC