This is one of the most misunderstood passages and a major stumbling block to many outside the Kingdom of God. The biggest misunderstanding lies with the word meek. Meekness doesn't equal weakness. Meek may rhyme with weak but that's the only similarity. Meekness is similar with gentle. Think of how gentle a trained elephant seems to be, yet they can move great weights easliy, they are used to pull mighty tree stumps out of the ground.
The word in Greek is praus and is also used to describe a well trained war horse in ancient Greece:
A war horse's training would generally address its responsiveness to being controlled without reins, tolerance for the noises of battle, and its adaptability to weapons and armor the rider would be using. In addition, some war horses were trained to kick on command at its enemy, thus becoming weapons in the extended arsenal of the warriors they carried.
A common misconception is that a war horse is simply a horse in armor. In fact, much training was required to overcome the horse's natural aversion to the smell of blood, and its natural disinclination to trample a person.
When a calm temperament is acquired and maintained at all times, a stable weapons platform is achieved. This allows the rider to practice his art with maximum efficiency.
Does that description sound MEEK to you?
Jesus said if we're meek we will inherit the earth and that's a pretty good reward! Let's start taking our slice today. By remaining in His will for our lives, we shall gain the whole world. Somedays it might not seem like it but as a good war horse does, we must keep our eyes on the training which comes from living in Christ and God's Word. Obedience to His every Word is the key to it all.
The greatest power on earth is the power of the Holy Spirit. It is this Spirit—God's Spirit—that enables people to be far more meek and gentle than they could ever be without it, as Paul shows in his letter to the churches of Galatia. Paul knew that the Christians there were backsliding into hostile attitudes and personal conflicts. Does this sound at all like our country today? He wrote that some were "biting and devouring each other" (Galatians 5:15, NIV). He urged them to "through love serve one another" (verse 13), reminding them, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (verse 14). What the Galatians needed was to "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16). And what did he say is the result of following the lead of God's Holy Spirit?*
I write this after visiting a few blogs on AR that carry an atmosphere which can inflame us, which ultimately, enslaves us. I must confess, I have broken away from my "Rider" a few times and my emotions overrode my training at times as well. So I leave you with this: we will give an account for every vacant word we speak to God. I myself repent of times I strayed and will stay connected more and more each day to the Holy Spirit that gives me life. I will choose to remain meek.... which translates as utmost strength.
And when do we get our share? When we are fully trained and totally obedient.
*Life in the Spirit
Galations5:16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
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