Inheriting the earth . . . what a wonderful privilege! This promised blessing requires an examination of the virtue of meekness, a virtue that is little understood and little esteemed in a world that glorifies power and might, where “might is right.”

Today many consider the meek to be submissive people. They might be dubbed as “DOORMATS.” That could stand for “Dependent Organization of Really Meek and Timid Souls.” They might be thought of as the yellow traffic lights.

The modern world looks upon meekness as a weakness, as one afraid to stand up for his or her rights, as one unwilling to fight back in the face of insult or offense.

This is the opinion many people have about meekness. They think that Jesus must have meant this when He said the meek were blessed. Of what was Jesus speaking?

An understanding of the root definition of “meek” in the original language and how it was used will help us in understanding what Jesus meant.

1. The Greek word praus has three basic meanings:

a. mildness of disposition

b. gentleness of spirit

c. meekness.

This actually indicates that one has the right kind of temper by being in control of his or her life, is responsive to God, and knows his or her limits and accepts them.

2. The Greek word praus also was used to describe a soothing medicine. It was used by sailors to describe a gentle breeze, and by farmers to describe a broken colt.

3. What do all these definitions have in common? They all describe great power under control.

4. Therefore, a good definition of Bible meekness is: Strength under control.

Meekness is a virtue which moderates the passion of action according to the dictates of reason, and calms the desire for revenge. It restrains one from wanting to inflict injury for injury. It enables one, relying on the Father’s will, to be master of himself or herself.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29).

Jesus could stand up to the winds and the waves. He also chased the moneychangers out of the temple twice with a whip made out of cords. This great powerful man who could cast out demons and stand boldly against the religious leaders of his day was also meek.

Just as Jesus the all-powerful took upon Himself the yoke of earthly obedience to His Father, so too does Jesus call on us to take on the yoke of submission to His will.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:1, 2, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.”

Meekness means to walk according to the precepts of our vocation, controlling our attitudes toward our brethren and sisters in Christ. We are bidden in Colossians 3:12 to “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”

A look at the context of these chapters shows that we are to bury the old man (submit to God) and forbear and forgive one another.

Thus meekness is burying the “natural” desires to rebel, fight, have our own way, push ourselves forward, and so forth. We submit to the Lord in obedience to His will.

“Meekness is a precious grace, willing to suffer silently, willing to endure trials. Meekness is patient and labors to be happy under all circumstances. Meekness is always thankful and makes its own songs of happiness, making melody in the heart to God. Meekness will suffer disappointment and wrong, and will not retaliate. Meekness is not to be silent and sulky. A morose temper is the opposite of meekness; for this only wounds and gives pain to others, and takes no pleasure to itself.”—Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 335.

Many equate meekness with weakness. They associate meekness with an attitude of allowing everyone to run over you because you are afraid of them. But this is not meekness. In fact, some of the strongest men who have ever lived have been meek.

Let us consider a list of some people that the Bible says were meek.

The wicked, in their mad rush to possess, usually miss or overlook the best of this world, or having seen it, refuse to pay the price to gain it, or having gained it, find themselves miserable.

But the meek are truly satisfied. They are content. The meek apostle Paul could unashamedly declare: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

The meek will also inherit the new heaven and earth. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).

The meek person is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of inferiority. Rather he or she may be in moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson—but without being self-deceived as the world is. The meek person has accepted God’s estimate of his or her life. We are as weak and helpless as God has declared us all to be, but we can know that at the same time we are of great value in His sight.

In ourselves, nothing–but in God, everything. That should be our aim and our theme. Amen.