Understanding True Meekness

Having mourned over our sin and received God’s comfort, we now discover the character quality that emerges from a heart transformed by grace. Biblical meekness is one of the most misunderstood virtues in Scripture. It does not imply weakness, passivity, or laziness but rather demonstrates great restraint and control over one’s thoughts, desires, and actions by the power of the Holy Spirit. Meekness is strength under control—the opposite of being out of control emotionally or spiritually.

Moses, whom Scripture describes as “very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3), was no weakling. He confronted Pharaoh, led a nation through the wilderness, and interceded powerfully before God. Jesus Himself said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29), yet He drove money changers from the temple and boldly confronted religious hypocrisy. True meekness is demonstrated by having restraint over words spoken, control over emotions when aroused, the ability to forgive when wronged, and reigning in thoughts when temptation comes knocking. It is the hidden strength of the spirit that monitors our first reactions—what we feel like doing, thinking, or saying when a situation arises—and then changes our desires to what would be pleasing to God and in obedience to His commandments.

The Promise of Inheritance

The promise attached to meekness seems startling: “they shall inherit the earth.” At times, it may seem that everything evil prospers while everything good fails. The wicked appear to triumph while the righteous suffer. The psalmist struggled with this very issue, writing, “For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3). While God is always working His sovereign plan and nothing is out of His control, He does allow evil in this world and is patient in His judgment (2 Peter 3:9). Although it is hard at times to understand what part sin and pain play in the whole scheme of things—and harder still when they affect us personally—we can have confidence that all things are working out both for God’s glory and for the good of His people (Romans 8:28).

While sin may exist now and seems to have great power in this world, there is coming a day when God will destroy everything that is sinful. In that day, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). God’s people shall live in a perfect land and will possess it, live off of it, thrive on it, and shall do all in perfect peace. When that final day comes, it will not be for just a short period or have the possibility of becoming corrupted, but it shall last for eternity.

The Meek Inherit Forever

The meek inherit the earth not through force, manipulation, or self-assertion, but through patient trust in God’s timing and sovereign plan. They do not need to fight for their rights or demand their due because they know their inheritance is secure in Christ. In that day when Christ returns and renews all things, those who came to God in faith throughout all generations and sought to learn restraint by the power of the Holy Spirit will live in peace and prosperity with all the blessings of God upon their lives for all eternity. This inheritance far surpasses anything the proud and powerful could seize in this present age.

The psalmist declares, “But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:11). This is not wishful thinking but the certain promise of God. While the world values aggression, self-promotion, and the assertion of personal rights, God’s kingdom operates on different principles. The meek—those who have surrendered control to the Holy Spirit and trust God’s sovereign purposes—are the ones who will ultimately possess the renewed earth. Praise God for His wonderful grace that transforms us and makes us inheritors of His eternal kingdom!

Reflection Questions

1. In what situations do you find it most difficult to exercise Spirit-controlled meekness rather than asserting your own will?
2. How does the promise of inheriting the renewed earth help you endure present injustices with patience and trust?
3. What specific area of your life needs greater surrender to the Holy Spirit’s control—your words, emotions, thoughts, or reactions?

Prayer

Consider how meekness is not natural weakness but supernatural strength—the power of the Holy Spirit enabling you to control your reactions and trust God’s timing in all circumstances.

For further study on the beatitudes, see the full devotional series here: Beatitudes