But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Meekness is a life lived in balance through the control of Holy Spirit. Being meek is an attitude of the heart and since it is not generated by self, it is not ruled by the extremes of the soul (mind, will and emotions). Instead it is then exercised chiefly towards God and the benefit of others.
A perfect example of how important the exercise of meekness is can be found in the life of Alexander the Great. He was the King of Macedonia and Persia and established the largest empire the ancient world had ever seen. Yet he lacked meekness, it finally was the very thing that brought him to ruin. One night in the middle of a drunken stupor, threw a spear at his best friend and killed him. As much power and prowess as he had to conquer the known world, he couldn’t master himself and he ultimately destroyed himself.
How can someone effectively lead others when they haven’t learned how to lead themselves? No one can truly serve others until they become subjected to themselves. No wonder Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that only the person who submits completely to God will be enabled to inherit the earth. The only way to truly exemplify courage, strength, and conviction is to walk in the spirit of meekness, which is the Spirit of Jesus Himself. Peter reminds us that Jesus walked in this Spirit, by submitting “Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 1:23).
I know this seems like mission impossible, but through the power of Holy Spirit and yielding to His leading it can be accomplished. How different would our world be if we turned from self and sought the leading or Holy Spirit?
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