A Christian factory worker was always being slapped and kicked and made fun of on the job. He took the abuse telling himself that he was trying to be a meek person. A woman was mild, even-tempered, and never let any type of negative emotions come from her lips. Because a teenager read in the Bible to turn the other cheek, he never said what he really believed about his personal faith. He was once attacked on the way home from school but did not defend himself. He considered his lack of physical response as that would be a meek person.
I asked you in all of these cases what kind of a testimony to these people offering the rest of the world? Perhaps their good intentions were not what they wanted after all. Perhaps they were saying to the world that they really did not have strong convictions or self-respect. Perhaps they were saying that the Christian belief is a wishy-washy way to live in order to avoid any bruises or hard knocks.
During the time of Jesus, the word meek was just the opposite of what we take it for today. It had with it the idea that the person was fully aware of his own abilities and strengths. They were conscious of what they could do. However, they exercised self-control. It is a picture of a large muscular horse pulling a very heavy load. Yet, the horse is controlled by a narrow piece of leather called the rein. The horse has strength. He knows it. So do other people know how strong the mighty horse is. Still, he uses his strength when necessary but only when necessary. He picks his time and place so there is the biblical instruction to us.
Be strong, get stronger, use strength. Use it wisely. The horse could easily run away but does not because he is controlled by the thin piece of leather. What are some areas for you that you could find in the Bible’s instructions which expect us to exercise self-control? In fact, where do your strengths belong within yourself? Consider some areas that you have that are strength.
A meek person is not a weak person. A meek person is a strong person who exercises self-control. A meek person only acts when necessary. A meek person is not quiet. A meek person has inner strength. A meek person demonstrates self-awareness. A meek person chooses between inaction (or silence) and stepping forward to use his own strength for a good cause. Certainly, we would call Jesus meek, but at the same time we would not call him weak. We must copy his example.
Christian Writer 