Humility – Meek
Christian Traits
We are forever being told that to be Christian is to be both ‘humble,’ and to be ‘meek.’ What many fail to understand is that God’s Word sets forth proper definitions of these two words and most dictionaries fail to use God’s definition and seek to impose their own.
Humility- humble: 1. not proud or haughty. Not arrogant or assertive. 2. Submissive. 3. Being insignificant.
When we look to God for His definitions we learn of a great variance in meaning as applied to these Christian traits. First we look at Humility:
Philippians 2: 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
And for His definition of meek we see:
Zephaniah 3: 12 But I will leave within you
the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD.
the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD.
In taking God’s Word above that of man we learn that to be seen as ‘humble,’ is to consider others better than you and to be ‘meek,’ is to serve the Lord.
I set forth this sermon so as to tell you that God does not expect his servants to be the types of men and women that are submissive to other men and certainly not to be ‘insignificant’ in this world. He does not mean for His servants to be seen as weak either.
Throughout God’s Word we learn of men that were Godly as they led God’s people. None of those men displayed arrogance, but out of necessity showed assertiveness to those they led or in situations where it was deemed necessary.
Look at God’s people as set forth in the Old Testament.
Moses; Joshua. Samson, David, and many others displayed humility as they endured pain and extreme pressures but only submitted to God. None were proud, haughty or arrogant. Each showed total deference to God while showing no fear to any adversary.
Our Lord and Savior led by example. He did not display pride, arrogance, submissiveness and, He certainly cannot be considered as ‘insignificant.’ He was assertive whenever He saw His Father’s house being defiled. He was a leader He suffered torture, humiliation and crucifixion but never submitted to the will of those that sought to do Him harm.
As Christians we all, to a man or to a women, must be willing to face adversity, injury while not falling to being submissive to any other than our Heavenly Father. We must be willing to be strong as we serve our Lord.
Man’s dictionary defines a meek person as non-violent. Allow me to point out that there are times of violence that require extreme violence and there are times that require great strength, both mentally as well as physical.
Do you think Samson slew a host of Philistines without almost superhuman strength and without extreme violence? David faced Goliath with only a sling, and that required the intent to kill with extreme prejudice. Each knew one thing and kept that in their mind.
What was that thing?
That thing was the absolute faith that they were ON GOD’S SIDE! Neither had a doubt as to their doing God’s work with His approval.
I could cite many instances set forth in Scripture where absolute faith in God and steadfastness in performing His will showed not what man has defined as humility or meekness but clearly was God’s definition and with His blessings.
When you are confronted with situations in this world that require using the strength, talents to battle, if you are not attempting to exert ambitious control over another and know, deep in your heart, that you are doing God’s will, then be willing to do your very best. It is your duty to do God’s will and to deny His desire is to deny Him!
I have always be a person that was willing to protect my fellow men or women in situations that required physical confrontation. Try as I might I could not ‘talk’ my adversary into a peaceful solution to what was the situation at hand.
I always knew that God was at my side and most of all, I was ON HIS SIDE!
To display humility is to defer to God’s will and to be meek is to wait on, and by that I mean to serve God, with the absolute belief that His will placed you at that place, at that time and for that purpose.
(Closing prayer)
Father, Abba, we come to You with praises, we come to You offering our worship and we ask that You accept both our praises and worship knowing that they are with all the love we can muster. Lord, You are our reason for being and we openly offer our lives to You and for Your purposes.
Lord we have been led to believe that as Christians we are to be humble to the point of being submissive to outrageous attacks and that meekness requires weakness of spirit and a fawning attitude. Father, it is our absolute faith in You and in Your Word that reveals to us the fact that humility is to place others above our needs and to be meek is to serve You and only You. We ask that You accept our heartfelt thanks for telling us what is true and what is not.
Lord, we ask that You be at our sides at times of danger and fill our hearts with Your awesome powers allowing us to act with no fear and with the knowledge that we are on Your side and doing Your will. Strengthen us O Lord, in body as well as in spirit. Lord, allow us to be servants that are at Your call.
We pray these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever,
Amen, amen and amen.
Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry
God's Word Christian Ministry
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