opical Index of Scriptures

Meekness & Humility

Meekness is the opposite of weakness. As a firmly rooted willow bends and flexes through the storm without breaking, so meekness is flexible resilient strength that can endure tests and turmoil, not by stiff resistance, but by gentle yielding. Rooted in Christ and resting in His will, you may share His meekness and pass triumphantly through the storms of your life. As you gently bend in the wind and yield yourself to His wise plan for each of your days, “the peace that passes all understanding” comes silently like a cloud and shelters you in His love. Because you know Him as the wise, loving, sovereign King who planned the path and sees the final outcome, you can accept His ways for you as good without argument or opposition. Resisting Him, you fall and break. Surrendered to Him, you stand anchored and indestructible in the fiercest storm.

Meekness, then, is a willingness to give up your own feeble, finite strength and put your life into His hands. When you do, nothing can prevent Him from extending to you His boundless, unquenchable, and eternal wisdom, love and power.

Again we see that God’s way up is down. To receive the many treasures of His Kingdom, you must recognize your own basic poverty of spirit (our own utter emptiness and inability apart from God) and, by His grace, “mourn” separation from Him. Trusting in God rather than in yourself is no longer a spiritual exercise of obedience; it is becoming a pattern of life growing from a heart that has found its source of peace and seeks none other.  [See "Blessed are the meek"]

“ ...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." James 1:21

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." 
Matthew 5:5-8

"...he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:11-12

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but  made Himself of no reputation, taking the form  of a bondservant, and  coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their own craftiness'; and again,' The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'”  1 Corinthians 3:19

"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.'” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

"Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion." Romans 12:16

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'”  Matthew 19:23-24

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:12-15

"I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ— who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.... For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience ...." 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
       'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
James 4:6-10

"... who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." 1 Peter 3:13-16

 "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'
    "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.                
    "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 5:5-11

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