This week our Fruit of the Spirit for discussion is Meekness, often referred to as "Humility’; and true meekness is a humility coupled with strength.
Again we go to Jesus as our example. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus says of Himself "…I am meek and lowly (humble) in heart...". Moses is the only other person in the Bible who is referred to as ‘humble. In Numbers 12:3 it states: "Now the man Moses was very meek (gentle, kind, and humble) above all the men who were upon the face of the earth." Both Jesus and Moses were very strong men, physically and spiritually.
Humility can be characterized by the absence of pride. Humility is being able to understand that God can work through others, or even that others may get the glory for something you did, in order to accomplish His will. An example of what I mean here comes from my father. His occupation for many years had been taking the sermon preached by a well-known radio minister, and rewriting it to put it in book form. He also would write articles and books on certain subjects that would be published in the name of the better known minister. Someone asked my father one time if it bothered him to have what he wrote being published and glory given to another person. He simple smiled, pointing heavenward and said "Oh no. You see, I know who keeps the books." He was just willing to be used in any way that God’s work would be the most effective.
True meekness is humility learning to be submissive to the sovereign will of God. True humility is able to love, and love is the very first fruit listed. True love is a humble love as that person is ‘other-directed’, always wanting to serve. True humility will want to encourage others, and enjoys seeing others succeed.
As we allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit of humility in us, we learn to forget ourselves. We will be able to say as John the Baptist did in John 3:30: "He must increase; but I must decrease."
True Humility will be able to say:
"Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted.
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
--Unknown
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
--Unknown
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