How can we become meek?
(Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 62:1-8; Matt. 5:43-48; 1 Pet. 2:18-25) Blog Aug. 28-Sep. 03, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: When Christians suffer, they are not alone, Jesus is with them. They rejoice in hope, knowing that their affliction is but for a moment and that a far more exceeding glory awaits them. As seeing the invisible, they praise God before being delivered and appreciate his tender care during their trials, knowing that he has gone before them and prepared a way of escape. When they are tried, they will come forth with increased faith, perfected characters, and a closer bond to Jesus.
Loving those who hurt us
1. When God’s people severely disappointed their leader at Mount Sinai, what opportunity did God offer Moses? God offered to destroy the worshippers of the golden calf at Mount Sinai and make of Moses a great nation (Ex. 32:1-10).
2. What kept Moses from accepting God’s offer of making him a great nation? Moses’ love for God’s people, his high regard for God’s honor, & his humble opinion of himself kept Moses from accepting God’s offer (Ex. 32:11-14).
3. When Miriam and Aaron questioned Moses’ authority, what did God say about Moses? God said that Moses was very meek, more than any other man (Num. 12:3).
4. With what words did the Apostle Paul outline Moses’ approach towards God’s people at Mount Sinai? Paul wrote: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1).
5. How did Jesus demonstrate meekness when mistreated? Jesus made no condemning retort to those who spit on & hit him. Rather, he prayed for their forgiveness (Luke 22:63-65; 23:34; 1 Pet. 2:21-23).
6. What did Jesus say we should do for those who mistreat us? Jesus said we should love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, & pray for them which despitefully use us, & persecute us (Matt. 5:44).
Controlling our reactions
7. How can we become meek, enduring injury with patience? Meekness is a fruit of God’s Spirit & is developed in those who war against their own natural desires (Gal. 5:22-25).
8. What other fruits of the Spirit are closely related to meekness? Temperance or self-control & longsuffering or patience are part of being meek (Gal. 5:22-23).
9. Do Spirit-filled Christians need to continually pursue meekness? Yes, Christians who have the firstfruits of the Spirit must continually pursue after more meekness (Zeph. 2:3; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:5-8).
10. What aspect of meekness does Paul emphasize in dealing with fellow believers? Paul emphasizes the need of “forbearing” (putting up with) one another in love while endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:1-3; Col. 3:12-15).
11. What exceptions to treating others meekly does the Bible give? There are no exceptions for treating others with meekness (Matt. 5:5; Tit. 3:2).
Meekness under accusation
12. Of what did David remind himself when falsely accused? When falsely accused, David remembered that God was like a mighty rock in whom he could trust for defense, refuge, & salvation (Psa. 62:1-8).
13. Of what must God’s people have accused Ezequiel when he didn’t mourn his wife’s death? They must have thought he was a very unsensitive husband (Eze. 24:1-24).
14. Of what did Miriam and Aaron accuse Moses? Miriam & Aaron accused Moses of being proud & thinking that God only spoke through him (Num. 12:2)
15. Of what did Job’s friends accuse him? Job’s friends accused him of secret sin (Job 4:7-9)
16. Of what did King Saul falsely accuse David? Saul accused David of desiring to take his life by ambush (1 Sam. 22:8).
17. Of what did King Ahab accuse Elijah? Ahab accused Elijah of troubling Israel (1 Ki. 18:17).
18. Of what did the Jews accuse Jesus? The Jews accused Jesus of teaching that it was wrong to pay taxes, that he was a malefactor, that he was devil possessed, & that he spoke against Caesar (Luke 23:2; John 8:52; 18:30; 19:12).
19. Of what did the Jews accuse both Stephen and Paul? Stephen & Paul were falsely accused of speaking against the temple, the law, & God’s people (Acts 6:11-14; 21:28).
20. How did wise King Solomon describe the strength of meekness? Solomon wrote: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” (Prov. 16:32).