INDWELLING SPIRIT: THE SIDE EFFECT OF MEEKNESS

        

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INDWELLING SPIRIT: THE SIDE EFFECT OF MEEKNESS

“…The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

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 Gentleness and meekness are two.related traits yet very different. Gentleness refers to acts of kindness, demonstrations of goodness, sympathetic concern toward others, and the intentional treatment of blessing and helping people. “…I am gentle…” (Matthew 11:29 NIV).

Meekness refers to humility, controlled strength, tender submission, and the ability to patiently bear offenses or reproaches without bitterness, attitude, desire for revenge, or resentment as it relates to others. “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).

Meekness is bearing unjust punishment or oppression without reacting in anger, with an adverse attitude, or in understandable defense or vengeance. “…The fruit of the Spirit is … Meekness … ” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

In a nutshell, meekness is an individual’s personal POWER under intentional and purposeful self-control. “…learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart…” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).

Jesus had a calm temper, was not easily provoked, and exemplified meekness. “… Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls…” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “…the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight…” (Ecclesiasticus 1:27 KJV Apocrypha).

Meekness is another one of God’s many blessings and GRACES toward the believer. “…The fruit of the Spirit is … Meekness … ” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

Humility is strengthened, supported, and empowered by the indwelling Spirit of meekness. “…I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:1 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is … Meekness … ” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “… the Lord is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).

 “…The fruit of the Spirit is … Meekness … ” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). Because of the indwelling Spirit, believers are empowered to demonstrate true “meekness.” “…With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love…” (Ephesians 4:2 KJV).

The indwelling Spirit is fully and completely responsible for the meekness in the covenant relationship with the believer. “…God will generously PROVIDE all … [the meekness] … you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

The indwelling Spirit both expresses and demonstrates meekness toward the believer and supplies meekness to the believer. The Lord is… longsuffering (MEEK) to us-ward…” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). “…God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to his riches in glory BY Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

God instructs, commands, and requires the believer to walk in “meekness.” “…Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved … meekness...” (Colossians 3:12 KJV). “…O man of God ... follow after … meekness…” (1 Timothy 6:11 KJV). “… [Be] … gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men…” (Titus 3:2 KJV).

However, God will NEVER instruct, command, or require the believer to do something he does not FIRST “equip” them to do. “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will …” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…may he work in [you]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED … BY Christ Jesus (the indwelling Spirit)…” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

On the surface, meekness seems to be a trait of weakness, or fear of people, or timidity, or acceptability of unjust treatment, but it is NOT. “…God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (controlled personal power)…” (1 Timothy 1:7 NLT). AND “…The fruit of the Spirit is … meekness …” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

It is the personal FIRE and POWER of one’s temper, passion, and emotion under the control of MEEK inspired humility. “…learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart…” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).

Meekness is expressed as humility with COURAGE and SELF-RESTRAINT when pressured, oppressed, reproached, or offended. It is the demonstration of gentle strength motivated or empowered by LOVE.

Meekness empowered and supplied by the indwelling Spirit will reveal a man or woman who is bearing spiritual fruit. Meekness demonstrates the believer’s trusting surrender to the WILL and WAYS of God.

Moses’ fruit was seen and he was described as meeker than any of the other men on earth. “… (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)…” (Numbers 12: 3 KJV).

Yet God chose Moses to go BOLDLY to Pharaoh and tell him to let his people GO. Moses didn’t think he was the one to lead God’s people out of Egypt. “…And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say…” (Exodus 4:10-13 KJV).

Moses’ kept his personal power and desire NOT to Go to Pharaoh under control and meekly humbled himself before God. “…he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send…” (Exodus 4:13 KJV). “…But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will…” (Numbers 4:13 NLT).

Jesus was meek. “… Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart…” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). Jesus was NOT emotionally timid, but emotionally powerful and controlled.

MEEKNESS IS FROM GOD.

“…The fruit of the Spirit is … meekness …” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE (meekness)…” (John 3:6 NLT).

GOD is meek toward you FIRST. “We love, because HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…We give [God]...only what [he]…first gave us! …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT). “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).

GOD’s meekness is his presence and how he connects to you in the relationship.  “…the meek will he teach his way…” (Psalms 25:9 KJV). “… BLESSED are the MEEK…” (Matthew 5:5 KJV). “…God … giveth grace unto the … [MEEK]…” (James 4:6 KJV). “…The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving … [meek] … at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere…” (James 3:17 NLT).

GOD IMPARTS meekness. “…I will put a NEW SPIRIT (of meekness) in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).  “…Let it be the hidden man (woman) of the heart … the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit …: (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is … MEEKNESS…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” too (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).  “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL [MEEKNESS]…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives [MEEKNESS]…” (John 6:63 NASB).

GOD EMPOWERS MEEKNESS. ^“…That great Shepherd of the sheep, EQUIP (empower) you with everything good [the Spirit of MEEKNESS]… for doing his will, and may he work in us (his indwelling MEEKNESS) what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…God is Spirit (meekness)…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…It is God which worketh IN YOU both to will (be empowered) and to do (behave with meekness) …” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

God supplies MEEKNESS. “…RECEIVE with meekness the engrafted word …” (James 1:21 KJV). “…God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to his riches in glory BY Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 KJV). “…God will generously PROVIDE all … [the meekness] … you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “….The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).

GOD’S MEEKNESS NEVER CHANGES OR FAILS. “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).“…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  “…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

GOD’S MEEKNESS CAN’T BE SEPARATED FROM YOU, EVEN IF YOU SEPARATE FROM HIM. “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…I “IN” YOU…” (John 15:4 KJV). “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “… he remains faithful[ly meek]…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).

GOD’S MEEKNESS LASTS FOREVER. “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is the same … forever…” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

GOD’S MEEKNESS IS SO POWERFUL IT IS A “SIGN” THAT YOU ARE HIS DISCIPLES AND THAT YOU “TRULY” KNOW HIM. “…The fruit of the Spirit is … MEEKNESS…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). "… bear much fruit, and … PROVE to be … [God’s] … disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).

GOD’S MEEKNESS is a fruitful side effect of the ingested holy spirit. “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).   “…The fruit of the Spirit is … meekness…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

God’s MEEKNESS is understood by faith. “… BY FAITH we UNDERSTAND (become aware of) …that what we now see (the fruit of meekness) did not come from anything that can be seen (the indwelling Spirit)…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…The fruit of the (invisible) Spirit is …MEEKNESS…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The invisible [Spirit]…from the creation of the world is …clearly seen, being understood by the things that are MADE …” (Romans 1:20 KJV). “… All things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is ... [MADE] ... a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… BY FAITH we UNDERSTAND (become aware of) …” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

GOD”S MEEKNESS IS EXPERIENCED BY TRUST. “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart..." (Provervs 3:5-6 KJV).  " ... lean not unto thine own understanding..." (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).  "...In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…In You they trusted and WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED…. (PSALMS 22:5 NASB).  “…[Entrust  YOURself]… to [God]…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV). “… Trust in the Lord, and [continue to]…do good ...Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy ways unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it (meekness) to pass…" (Psalm 37:1-11 KJV).

God’s MEEKNESS is revealed through surrender. “…Surrender your… [personal] … power…” (Jeremiah 4:4  NLT). “…The steps of a good man are ordered (directed) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV). “… I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38 KJV).  “….The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others …" (Matthew 20:28). “…I must be about my Father's business?” (Luke 2:49 KJV). “…I desire to do your will, my God…” (Psalms 40:8 KJV). “…I have come to do your will, my God…'" (Hebrews 10:7, 9 KJV). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). ^“…God …works in you TO WILL (want to) and TO ACT (meek) in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “….apart from Me (JESUS), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…I can do ALL THINGS (be meek) through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

GOD’S MEEKNESS IS OFTEN “NOT” BELIEVED. “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “…Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “…See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God…” (Hebrews 3:12 NIV). The Centurion said to Jesus “…I DO believe; HELP me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV). “…God is Spirit (meekness)…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED …” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).  “…It is God which worketh IN YOU both to will (be empowered) and to do (behave with meekness) …” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…God will generously PROVIDE all … [the meekness] … you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “…. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (for meekness) ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).  

GOD’S MEEKNESS can be experienced if you submit regardless of your own doubt or misunderstanding. "…Truly I tell you, if anyone … DOES NOT DOUBT in their heart but believes … it will be done for them….” (MARKS 11:23 NIV). “… lean not unto thine own understanding …” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6 NIV). “…God is Spirit (meekness) …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE (and his meekness) EXISTS…” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). “…Submit yourselves to the Lord…” (2 Chronicles 30:8 NLT). “…REPENT … and you will receive (be GIVEN) the gift of the Holy Spirit (one of the fruit is meekness)….” (Acts 2:38 NASB). God tells us, “...only believe…” (Mark 5:36 KJV).  

God is MEEK toward you. “We love, because HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…We give [God]...only what [he]…first gave us! …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT). “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “… the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness (meekness) toward us in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:7 NASB).

god has given you his MEEKNESS. “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).   “…God has given [you] HIS Spirit as PROOF that [you]… live (are alive) in him and he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT).   “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s] in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

God’s MEEKNESS is spiritual. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is … meekness…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

God’s MEEKNESS is forever. “…I am meek …” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is the same … forever…” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

God supplies you with enough MEEKNESS to share it with others. “…God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED …” (Philippians 4:19 KJV). “…God will generously PROVIDE all … [the meekness] … you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). . “…my cup runneth over (with meekness)…” (Psalms 23:5 KJV).

God’s MEEKNESS is displayed as spiritual fruit in your life and others can see it. “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, MEEKNESS, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

If you do NOT have the indwelling Spirit, you are NOT one of God’s children and the fruit, not your religious works, is the evidence. “…God has given [you] his Spirit as PROOF that [you]… live (are ALIVE) in him and he [dwells]… in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT).  “…That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)….” (Romans 8:8-11 NLT). “… The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, MEEKNESS, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).