“MEEKNESS” (GAL. 5:22-23)

INTRODUCTION:

1. A few days ago I went to a chiropractor.

2. As I waited in a room I could hear the doctor speaking with another patient.

3. The conversation between these two people was lengthy.

4. The doctor finally finished and then came to see me.

5. When it was my turn, there was not a lot of talking.

6. The chiropractor came in, quickly took hold of some body parts and started speaking about

chiropractic.

7. I was not bothered by the fact that he failed to chitchat with me.

8. I was, however, curious why he chatted with the other patient in the next room and not me.

9. Why did this man deal with the two of us in different ways?

10. Later that night I relayed what had happened to Teresa and asked what she thought.

11. Her observation was this:

12. Perhaps the woman in the adjoining room needed to be relaxed.

13. Some people are not prepared to get on a table and have their bones popped.

14. The doctor may have been trying to prepare her for the treatment.

I. IF TERESA’S OBSERVATION IS CORRECT, SHE TOUCHED ON AN IDEA THAT EXISTED IN THE FIRST CENTURY.

A. When describing the fruit of the Spirit, Paul used the word “meekness”.

B. This word was not used only by the writers of the Bible, it was used in everyday language during the first century.

C. This word was used to describe a person (or thing) that had a soothing quality.

D. I do not know if there were chiropractors in the first century.

E. If there were, and if these doctors soothed patients before a treatment, people could have rightly said that these doctors were “meek”.

F. The word translated “meekness” was also used to describe ointment that could soothe pain from something like ulcers.

G. The word described people who could soothe those angry, bitter, and even resentful.

H. Outside the NT this word often meant “to soothe”.

I. Another meaning for this word (outside the NT) was “gentle conduct”.

J. This conduct would be gentle even though people had the power to be harsh.

K. In the first century, just as now, people would “run for office”.

L. Politicians were elected by the people.

M. In the first century “meekness” was used to describe tyrants who promised to be gentle if they were elected to office.

N. If we look outside the NT, everyone in Paul’s day was familiar with the word “meekness”. It was a common word.

O. The NT writers used this word to help write the covenant we live under.

P. When we look at this word we find it is associated with some other terms.

Q. 1 Cor. 4:21 puts “love” and “meekness” together.

R. “Meekness” and “gentleness” are blended together in 2 Cor. 10:1.

S. In Eph. 4:2 “meekness” is joined with “humility”.

T. “Meekness” is contrasted with “sternness” in 1 Cor. 4:21.

U. “Meekness” is not associated with fighting. Tit. 3:2

II. THIS IS A BRIEF AND GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO MEEKNESS. LET’S NOW GET MORE SPECIFIC.

A. One of the first things to see about meekness is that it allows teaching.

B. James uses the word “meekness” in Jas. 1:21.

C. In this passage James wrote that man has a soul.

D. He added that a man’s soul can be “saved”.

E. For salvation to occur, men need to “receive” something.

F. What needs to be received, James says, is the Word of God.

G. Putting this all together, the Bible is God’s tool to save man.

H. For God’s tool to work, something is required.

I. Jas. 1:21 – READ.

J. The word that saves man (the Bible) must be received in “meekness”.

K. There are both Christians and non-Christians who refuse to be taught.

L. There are people we meet and know who refuse to learn.

(1) Some think they already know it all.

(2) Others are so proud they will not acknowledge anyone can teach them.

(3) Others allow age to interfere with meekness.

(4) I can name some specific instances where someone said to me …

a. “I am a lot older than you; what can you teach me?”

b. “I have read the Bible for more years than you have been alive.”

(5) If the issue is not age, maybe it is religion.

a. People say, “I have a church.”

b. or, “I already read the Bible.”

(6) These statements are used to stop a religious discussion.

(7) People show they are not teachable.

M. The word “meekness” in Jas. 1:21 means that people are willing to be taught.

(1) If people are not meek, they are like the hard soil in a parable spoken by Jesus.

(2) The Word of God cannot penetrate the heart.

(3) Many times unsaved people are not meek; they are not teachable.

(4) A lack of meekness is also found in the church.

(5) I was once teaching a Bible class in Texas.

(6) A particular issue arose in that Bible class.

(7) This issue was in no way related to doctrine. We were new at this congregation.

(8) When I said I would be willing to discuss the matter, a brother spoke up and said,

“That’s not necessary. We have made up our minds. Move on to something else.”

(9) What that man really said was, “We are not teachable.”

(10) “No matter what evidence can be introduced; no matter how compelling a case is made;

we have our belief about something and that’s that.”

N. The sin that day was not in the belief that these brethren had … they can surely hold to the view

they have and be saved … the sin was in their refusal to be taught/study.

O. If we refuse to examine any of our beliefs in light of the Bible we are guilty of sin. We lack

meekness.

P. Remember that Jas. 1:21 was not written to unsaved people.

Q. Christians are told to “receive with meekness” the implanted word.

R. God’s people were told they needed to be teachable.

II. THE MEEKNESS IN GALATIANS 5 REQUIRES THAT WE BE PEOPLE WHO ARE TEACHABLE. WHAT ELSE IS MEANT BY THIS WORD?

A. Let’s take a look at Gal. 6.

B. As you are turning there, please bear in mind that in life there are things that can “stimulate” people and there are things that can “depress” people.

C. Meekness is to be a stimulant. Gal. 6:1-2 – READ.

(1) There are times when Christians need to be corrected.

(2) Perhaps a spouse needs to be corrected.

(3) Maybe the correction involves a teenager who is a Christian.

(4) Perhaps the correction is for a Christian we are not related to.

D. In any case Paul said to “correct the person” but correct the person with a spirit of meekness.

E. We can correct people in a way that is discouraging.

F. We can treat people in such a way that we drive them into depression.

G. It is possible to send people to or even over the “edge”. (A young Christian led a prayer – corrected by an elder – “in Jesus Christ’s name.”)

H. We are to “receive the word with meekness”. Jas. 1:21.

I. The word we receive says to correct those who are overtaken … we are to put people back on their feet so they can do better.

J. Meekness should be a stimulant to people – not a depressant.

(1) Earlier I said the Bible joins together love and meekness.

(2) Scripture joins together gentleness and meekness.

(3) Gal. 6:1-2 helps complete the picture.

K. If we are not confronting sin, perhaps it is opposition.

L. Paul used the word “meekness” when he wrote to young Timothy.

M. The word used in Gal. 5:23 is also found in 2 Tim. 2:25.

N. From what we can tell, Timothy had to deal with some difficult people.

O. Timothy’s work problems were often church related.

P. Though most here do not have a situation exactly like his, there is a principle that can be applied when we deal with difficult people. 2 Tim. 2:24-25 – READ.

(1) Timothy had to deal with some unpleasant people.

(2) He had to face people who were false teachers.

(3) What did Paul say concerning the people who opposed him?

(4) Some would meet false teachers by acting as a steamroller.

(5) This approach says do everything you can to crush the opposition.

(6) This tactic can be effective but it is not what Paul prescribed. 2 Tim. 2:24A – QUOTE.

Q. Timothy was to be “meek” and “gentle” among some wolves.

R. Some have looked at this and concluded that this means weakness; that meekness means people are spineless – they lack backbone.

S. Some think meekness means that we stand for nothing – that meekness is like a man who is a 100 years old. Such a man is shaky; unsteady; decrepit and too feeble to do anything.

T. These ideas do not express the meaning of meekness.

U. Meekness is like a young father who has a baby.

(1) The father is strong, powerful and full of energy.

(2) The father could easily crush the baby.

(3) He has more than enough force to destroy his child.

(4) Although his power is available, tenderness is used.

(5) The power is carefully controlled and appropriately applied.

(6) This is meekness in the sense of Gal. 5.

(7) This is how Timothy was to deal with false teachers.

(8) He was not to be like a decrepit old man who couldn’t do anything.

(9) He was forbidden from trying to act like a steamroller.

(10) He had no authority to batter and bully people.

V. This kind of spirit was echoed by Peter in 1 Pet. 3:15.

W. Peter said if people want to know why you are a Christian be ready to give them an answer.

X. He added, “answer with meekness”.

Y. I have seen brethren try to ram doctrine down the throats of others.

Z. Unless I have missed something, that is forbidden.

A. Timothy was forbidden from doing this.

B. Peter told his listeners the same thing.

C. When we teach people the Bible, 2 Tim. 2 and 1 Pet. 3:15 use words like “gentle, forbearing, meekness and fear”.

D. These passages do not prohibit us from making a compelling case.

E. We can “contend for the faith”. Jude 3

F. Pressing a point was done by the apostles.

(1) What we do not find is rudeness and bully-like tactics.

(2) Bullying people will work in some cases.

(3) Some people will give in because of aggressiveness.

(4) In such cases, why do people submit? Is the submission based upon the power in the gospel or is it because people are bullied into submission?

G. A few days ago I was in Wal-Mart getting some entrance keys made.

H. They would not let me pay for the keys up front so I paid in the automotive department.

I. While there I also paid for a 50 pound bag of dog food.

J. Since I was parked in front of the store, I decided to see what would happen if I kept the receipt in my pocket and tried to walk out. I didn’t make it.

K. A senior citizen stopped me.

L. This woman said:

(1) “Sir, I did not see you go through the checkout line. Store policy requires me to ask for your receipt.”

(2) I thought to myself, “Here is a perfect illustration of meekness.”

(3) This woman didn’t let me pass by; she was not spineless.

(4) At the same time, she also didn’t radio for security. She made no attempt to shout at or to bully me.

CONCLUSION:

1. Meekness is an important trait when we teach people.

2. It is also important in every aspect of our lives.

3. Jas. 3:13 says this trait is to be part of our life in general.

4. Meekness is a great character trait.