What Does It Mean to Be Meek and Why is it a Blessed Trait

[Hopefully]

“To be meek is to be gentle, humble, lowly. “The meek are the ‘gentle’… those who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength, but who will nonetheless inherit the earth because they trust in God to direct the outcome of events.” 

John Gill’s commentary seems to assert this – meek people don’t envy, don’t retaliate, and exercise patience in the face of adversity. 

Matthew Henry adds that the meek show joy and happiness under dire circumstances. No matter what happens in the world around them, they latch on to God’s provision and plan for their lives. 

The opposite of meekness is defined by Merriam-Webster as egotistic, pompous, haughty, and aggressive. Through this, we see a different picture of meekness. It isn’t a doormat mentality or silence in the face of injustice. Instead, it doesn’t retaliate when wronged and doesn’t exude pride and narcissism. The type of person most people would think would rule the earth likely exhibits some of the traits listed above. At least, it fits the bill for the Roman emperors during the time of Jesus.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/why-does-scripture-say-blessed-are-the-meek-for-they-will-inherit-the-earth.html%3famp

“Great blessings belong to those who are humble. They will be given the land God promised.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ 

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ 

 

 

 

[bropro]

On 10/4/2021 at 6:46 PM, Hopefully said:

“To be meek is to be gentle, humble, lowly. “The meek are the ‘gentle’… those who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength, but who will nonetheless inherit the earth because they trust in God to direct the outcome of events.” 

John Gill’s commentary seems to assert this – meek people don’t envy, don’t retaliate, and exercise patience in the face of adversity. 

Matthew Henry adds that the meek show joy and happiness under dire circumstances. No matter what happens in the world around them, they latch on to God’s provision and plan for their lives. 

The opposite of meekness is defined by Merriam-Webster as egotistic, pompous, haughty, and aggressive. Through this, we see a different picture of meekness. It isn’t a doormat mentality or silence in the face of injustice. Instead, it doesn’t retaliate when wronged and doesn’t exude pride and narcissism. The type of person most people would think would rule the earth likely exhibits some of the traits listed above. At least, it fits the bill for the Roman emperors during the time of Jesus.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/why-does-scripture-say-blessed-are-the-meek-for-they-will-inherit-the-earth.html%3famp

“Great blessings belong to those who are humble. They will be given the land God promised.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ 

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ 

 

 

 

This is something that the Lord has really been working out in me. When going through dealings with difficult, prideful,  narcissistic people, I have a tendency to think about how I am going to answer them. What the Lord is pointing out to me is that my thoughts reveal a measure of the same characteristics as I am seeing in them. I think about things to say to them to put them in  their place with sarcasm and condescending remarks. The Lord has made it clear to me that even though I may not verbally release those remarks, that essentially I am still guilty of pride. As He has shown me this, I have been engaged in a real struggle with myself, asking Him for His grace and power to overcome, but then at the same time still holding on to those thoughts and feelings. It is like a tug of war with myself. I gain the victory at times, then the thoughts arise and the battle is on again. But deep inside, I know that I already have the victory in Christ. I need to become more meek and lowly. Thanks for your post.

Gary

Edited October 6, 2021 by bropro
spelling

[Hopefully]

12 minutes ago, bropro said:

Thanks for your post.

You are very welcome and thank you so much for sharing. It adds much value to this post.

[Not me]

4 hours ago, Hopefully said:

“To be meek is to be gentle, humble, lowly. “The meek are the ‘gentle’… those who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength, but who will nonetheless inherit the earth because they trust in God to direct the outcome of events.” 

John Gill’s commentary seems to assert this – meek people don’t envy, don’t retaliate, and exercise patience in the face of adversity. 

Matthew Henry adds that the meek show joy and happiness under dire circumstances. No matter what happens in the world around them, they latch on to God’s provision and plan for their lives. 

The opposite of meekness is defined by Merriam-Webster as egotistic, pompous, haughty, and aggressive. Through this, we see a different picture of meekness. It isn’t a doormat mentality or silence in the face of injustice. Instead, it doesn’t retaliate when wronged and doesn’t exude pride and narcissism. The type of person most people would think would rule the earth likely exhibits some of the traits listed above. At least, it fits the bill for the Roman emperors during the time of Jesus.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/why-does-scripture-say-blessed-are-the-meek-for-they-will-inherit-the-earth.html%3famp

“Great blessings belong to those who are humble. They will be given the land God promised.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ 

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ 

 

 

 

Thought provoking post..

After thinking about it, I think you pretty much nailed what it means to be meek, but thinking about why meekness is a blessed trait gave me pause…..

One could say it’s because it is a virtue in God, but I think that is just a canned answer and doesn’t really get to the substance… 

‘Why is meekness a blessed trait’..

I would almost venture to say it’s because meekness is that that through all eternity doesn’t step on the other person’s toes, which is just another way of saying as you posted in the OP, about not asserting oneself over the other…… 

Shall continue to ponder before God..

Be blessed in your relationship with Him, Not me 

Edited October 5, 2021 by Not me

[Hopefully]

15 minutes ago, Not me said:

Shall continue to ponder before God..

Me too 

[Not me]

Just now, Hopefully said:

Me too 

And be blessed in that pondering, and if God grants insight, would be blessed to hear…  As I will likewise..

Onto Him be our all, Not me 

[Leonardo Von]

Quote

What Does It Mean to Be Meek and Why is it a Blessed Trait

Meek is the person that, instead of trying to sort out the problems by themselves, bowing down before the Creator and wait for His providence.

[missmuffet]

The third blessing falls on the "meek". Meekness is not a weakness. Quite the opposite; it is strength under control. Meekness is a willing submission to God. 

 

[Dennis1209]

Said another way, "Power under control."

[Starise]

18 hours ago, Hopefully said:

“To be meek is to be gentle, humble, lowly. “The meek are the ‘gentle’… those who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength, but who will nonetheless inherit the earth because they trust in God to direct the outcome of events.” 

John Gill’s commentary seems to assert this – meek people don’t envy, don’t retaliate, and exercise patience in the face of adversity. 

Matthew Henry adds that the meek show joy and happiness under dire circumstances. No matter what happens in the world around them, they latch on to God’s provision and plan for their lives. 

The opposite of meekness is defined by Merriam-Webster as egotistic, pompous, haughty, and aggressive. Through this, we see a different picture of meekness. It isn’t a doormat mentality or silence in the face of injustice. Instead, it doesn’t retaliate when wronged and doesn’t exude pride and narcissism. The type of person most people would think would rule the earth likely exhibits some of the traits listed above. At least, it fits the bill for the Roman emperors during the time of Jesus.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/why-does-scripture-say-blessed-are-the-meek-for-they-will-inherit-the-earth.html%3famp

“Great blessings belong to those who are humble. They will be given the land God promised.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ 

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ 

 

 

 

Since you've pretty much covered it, I'll at least say this. We know the goal is to be like Jesus who was meek. Not like the Hollywood portrayals of a man who had a rather feminine look and was extremely passive. Quiet, long haired, soft spoken and passive. I don't believe this is the true picture of who Jesus was. A meek person is not a fearful backward person. You can be decisive and forward while still being meek. Remember Jesus overturned the money changer's tables in anger. Remember Jesus had no issue confronting the Pharisees of their hypocritical ways to their faces. Remember Jesus, after 40 lashes with a rawhide whip and a severe beating by the soldiers still had enough strength to walk to the hill where He knew He would die carrying his heavy cross much of the way. This was not a sissy boy we are talking about here.

He didn't need to assert Himself because He was God and He knew it. He had nothing to prove to anyone. We don't need to be mean and forceful in our deliveries to others either because we know who we belong to. No matter how hard a man tries to be somewhere, he will always be where God wants him. It can never be said any man or woman won't be where God has them for that time. Any internal drive we have was put there by Him. Any position was determined long ago. No amount of struggle will change the destination of a man/woman of God. Ego is a cloaked attempt to be god. It never works.

Edited October 5, 2021 by Starise