We have been studying in the beatitudes. In the introduction we saw how we gain a deeper understanding of these blessed attitudes when we first consider the original fall of mankind into sin. We learned that the beatitudes are actually a compact lesson in spiritual growth.
The beginning, of course, is when we recognize our deep need for a Savior, and come to God poor in spirit, in humility. Then we start this journey we call salvation, and the Kingdom of Heaven becomes our own spiritual and eternal home. This is the first beatitude.
Alongside this, we also mourn our shortcomings — the sin that makes salvation necessary. When we confess our sin to God in humility, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us. As we keep walking in humility and contrition, continue learning to grow into maturity, there is no condemnation against us from God, anymore. We receive comfort from God, the second beatitude.
Sometimes, people start working through these first two beatitudes, start making changes in their lives. But then, when trials come, they soon fall away. Come along with me as we examine why meekness is the key to enduring faith.
About This Video
The video version of this study is presented in a format suited to the medium, rather than simply reading the written lesson aloud. It follows the same teaching structure but is adapted for a more conversational, visual style.
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The third beatitude says (Matthew 5:5), “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Meekness is often misunderstood. Some people think it means being a doormat, or being weak. But the truth is almost a polar opposite. Meekness is a quiet strength that continues living for God regardless of what the world does, and regardless of the trials our faith may bring. And several times Scripture declares that “He who endures to the end will be saved.”
In Matthew 13: 1-9; 18-23, Jesus gives a parable about a sower and the seed, and the four types of soil on which the seed falls. The first is on the wayside, and the hard pan with no fertile soil whatsoever. This person never receives the Word of God that is offered to them, but it is immediately stolen by the enemy.
Then we come to the remaining soil types, which have the ability for the seed to grow up, for these beatitudes to have a chance to grow. Now, the seed will start to grow in all three of these soils, but the second type has a warning which ties into meekness. With the rocky ground with shallow soil, the seed springs up quickly and the baby plant begins its initial growth.
But, then, the world system and trials start to come because of the Word, and because there is no depth to their faith it quickly withers away. But developing meekness is the evidence that the soil is becoming deeper, where faith can truly begin to grow and thrive. Scripture says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God …. Great news! God not only tells us we need to be meek, but gives instruction on how to develop it.
This beatitude is a direct quote from Psalm 37:11, and by reading and considering this entire Psalm we can understand meekness. Let me summarize it, here … but it would do you much good in your spiritual walk to spend time considering it in depth, as it is the next step in Jesus guide to spiritual maturity.
Psalm 37 teaches us to continue firmly in God’s truth and righteousness, regardless of what the world around you is doing. Do not fret over the apparent prosperity of evildoers, of those who follow the world system rather than the righteousness of God. Many of them may appear to have it all, to be prosperous in all that they do. They may appear to be happy while continuing in their sin.
But in the end they will be cut down. One day, all will stand before God in judgment, and their end will not be a happy one. They will lose it all, while the meek will inherit all that they left behind. The meek will inherit the earth does not refer merely to this present world, but to the future kingdom of God when Christ reigns and His people share in that inheritance.
(Ps 37: 7, 8) Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him …. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret – it only causes harm.
The Word will start leading us to live a different life, a life more pleasing to God. It will try to develop an enduring faith – if we let it. But our fleshly nature, that sin still within, will see how the ungodly seem to prosper in worldly things, while the faithful often times do not. It is easy to let this cause us to fall away, or to choose not to live the life God calls us to live. And that can be a dangerous place to remain …. the parable of the sower compares this rocky soil to the first … to ultimately not being saved.
And those in the world will gladly encourage you to do things their way rather than God’s way. They will bring pressure on you, call you self-righteous, or bigoted, or hateful. They will bring tribulation because of the Word of God that is the antithesis of the world system.
And the devil will join in, the accuser of the brethren. He will work his deceptions on you. Perhaps it will be pride, to get you away from being poor in spirit. Or perhaps he will come as the accuser of the brethren, remind you of your past and try to steal your comfort from God. Scripture says there are three sources of temptation, the world system, the flesh nature, and the devil. This unholy trinity will be working to burn you out, to cause your faith to wither.
It will take meekness, quietly standing firm in Christ, to defeat them. When we do this, spiritual growth happens. We demonstrate that we are sowing God’s Word in deep soil, not shallow, rocky ground.
The Psalm above tells us to cease from anger … another common theme found in the Word. Jesus, Himself, taught more on this later in the Sermon on the Mount. He warns us about judging others rightly and with a right attitude, to forgive, to love even our enemies, and to not worry or fret. All of these extend from understanding meekness as found in Psalm 37.
In fact, even modern science has proven this to be true … though they reject the fact that God said it first. They have learned that worry and anger and holding a grudge is harmful to our health. It can affect us in many ways, both physically and mentally. It can and WILL keep us in bondage. Jesus came to set us free from this kind of bondage, and it is meekly standing firm in Him that brings that freedom.
One thing I have noticed when I look at YouTube or my Facebook feed is that many believers — and even some unbelievers — are angry. I don’t mean they are just exposing evils in the world, or engaging in spiritual warfare, which is meekness in action. I mean, they get deeply angry, even bitter. They not only call out sin and wickedness, but harbor an unmerciful anger and hatred for people for whom Christ also died – if they would but understand and receive it. (In the lesson on the beatitude of mercy, we will learn just HOW important this attitude is.)
This current world system belongs to the devil. Scripture says that Satan is the god of this world and the prince of this present system. The enemy is going to do his thing in what is – temporarily – under his control. While we certainly should have a certain amount of righteous anger at the evils going on, we must make sure our anger is correctly directed. Otherwise it can become a stronghold that stifles or even completely burns up our spiritual growth.
Jesus came to set us free from the bondages of sin — including worry and anger. We find freedom from this by firmly resting in Him. By meekness.
In this life, we will be rewarded by spiritual growth. We will begin to learn the other beatitudes which follow determination to rest in Christ no matter what. We will begin to grow in true righteousness, which is the next beatitude.
Jesus showed us true meekness. When the ungodly religious leaders came to arrest Him and ultimately kill him, Jesus went along peacefully. He did not shout, did not argue, did not throw a tantrum. He had told the disciples a few moments before that He could have called legions of angels and stopped the whole thing, but that was not God’s plan. That was not God’s will. So Jesus rested in His Father. He stood strong, and even died with forgiveness on His lips for His persecutors. He did not fret and worry. He stood strong and confident. He rested in the Truth without compromise, even to the death. That is meekness.
Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under the control of faith — resting in God, trusting His justice, and continuing in righteousness even when the world opposes it.
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