Noah Webster who lived back in 1828, defined these words for us:
Meek
1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.
Now the man Moses was very meek, above all men. Num.12.
2. Appropriately, humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations. Christ says, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." Matt.11.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matt.5.
Meekness
n. Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under
injuries and provocations.
n. Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under
injuries and provocations.
1. In an evangelical sense, humility; resignation; submission to the divine will, without murmuring or peevishness; opposed to pride, arrogance and refractoriness.
Galatians 5.
I beseech you by the meekness of Christ. 1 Cor.10.
Meekness is a grace which Jesus alone inculcated, and which no ancient philosopher seems to have understood or recommended.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
In a 2010 Christian Post article Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church talked about the definition meekness. Informing readers that the true meaning of meekness has been lost, Rick purposed in this article to restore the now "lost" definition... for Christians, those church leaders that look to him for leadership. This is of course, is under the assumption that he, being more knowledgeable than they, would help to clear up their gross misconceptions about being meek. But the article was not just about understanding what it really means to be meek. Rick restored the word's meaning while simultaneously giving all those Christian leaders, Five, (not one or two) New Year's resolutions to make for 2010!
Read the article here.
In the article Rick said,
"One of the most misunderstood Beatitudes of Jesus may be one of the most important for you to master in 2010: “Happy are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). -Rick Warren
'Five New Years Resolutions For Any Christian Leader by Rick Warren, 1/08/10, www.christianpost,com
Christian, are you aware that the most important
beatitude to "master" in 2010, is
beatitude to "master" in 2010, is
"Happy are the meek."
Are you aware that you need to "master" the beatitudes at all?
Also, did you know this beatitude is "one of the
most misunderstood" Beatitudes of Jesus?"
(What might the other "most misunderstood' Beatitudes be?)
Rick said, "What did Jesus mean when he promised, 'Happy are the people who can control their reactions, for they will inherit the earth?'"... (Rick then gave his insight,)..."You’ll be in control of your situation because you’re not being controlled by it. If you are a meek person, you are no longer a victim. You control your choices." -Rick Warren
Five New Years Resolutions For Any Christian Leader by Rick Warren
Question: Did Jesus say, "Happy are the
people who can control reactions, choices.... anything?
people who can control reactions, choices.... anything?
No. Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek."
to do with psychologically refusing to be a victim of other
people's dominating control?
As Noah Webster rightly points out,
meekness is being submissive to the divine
people's dominating control?
As Noah Webster rightly points out,
meekness is being submissive to the divine
Defining "meekness" as YOU in control misses
the point of the word.
the point of the word.
"... we've lost the true meaning of meekness. Meek doesn't mean weak. Jesus and Moses were described as meek, and they certainly were anything but weak. Meekness really means strength under control. The Greek word referred to a wild horse tamed or medicine that could tame a fever." -Rick WarrenFive New Years Resolutions For Any Christian Leader by Rick Warren, 1/08/10, www.christianpost,com
Meekness is often not seen in light of scripture and worldly-minded people
often equate "meek" with weak.
God however values humility,
this is why Jesus said,
"Blessed are the meek."
God however values humility,
this is why Jesus said,
"Blessed are the meek."
Rick rightly says that meekness can be described as
"strength under control" He then uses
the example of a wild horse tamed,
but.... a wild horse tamed,
responds to it's tamer.
Likewise, one who is meek
is humble before God and
knows who is in control
and they know that
and it is not them.
the example of a wild horse tamed,
but.... a wild horse tamed,
responds to it's tamer.
Likewise, one who is meek
is humble before God and
knows who is in control
and they know that
and it is not them.
While assuring us that Jesus is pleased with this newly defined meekness, where the meek person refuses to have a victim mentality, Rick adds an interesting comment. He tells us,
"Meek leaders are also open to new ideas. They’re willing to change when they learn something new." -Rick WarrenIt's just a subliminal, little, 'quip' of sorts; one that might be easily overlooked. Amazingly, with a stroke on the keyboard, "meek" here takes on a whole new definition. Now. to be meek, one must also be "open to new ideas" and "being willing to change."
Are you truly meek and thereby willing to "change"
Are you willing to change your old ideas of church?
Are you willing to change your old ideas of church?
Are you truly meek, open to new ideas
instead of the usual weekly Bible Study?
And what about those FIVE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS for any Christian Leader?
These are to help you better understand meekness and practice being "meek."
Here they are:
1. "When someone serves you, be understanding not demanding."
Remember, Rick is speaking to leaders.
Leader, why is someone "serving you" even mentioned?
Is this to be expected? Is Rick's directive to "be
understanding not demanding"
more applicable than passages of
scripture that already serve to direct
us into behaviors esteemed by God?
Leader, why is someone "serving you" even mentioned?
Is this to be expected? Is Rick's directive to "be
understanding not demanding"
more applicable than passages of
scripture that already serve to direct
us into behaviors esteemed by God?
2. "When somebody disappoints you, be gentle and not judgmental."
3. "When someone disagrees with you, be tender without surrender."
Yes, never surrender...
that might be construed as
weakness... not meekness.
(As Rick would say, you are supposed to
be "in control" of your situation, not controlled by it.)
Here, Rick finally refers to the
scriptures in order to make his point.
He uses the New Living Translation;
Interesting, isn't it, that Christian leaders reading this
are now looking to Rick 's words of wisdom instead of scripture.
And note how he so creatively makes his
directives rhyme with measure and alliteration,
...as if to tickle your ears.
And note how he so creatively makes his
directives rhyme with measure and alliteration,
...as if to tickle your ears.
Yes, never surrender...
that might be construed as
weakness... not meekness.
(As Rick would say, you are supposed to
be "in control" of your situation, not controlled by it.)
Here, Rick finally refers to the
scriptures in order to make his point.
He uses the New Living Translation;
but note how Rick neglects to quote
the verses 24-25 in entirety. Note also that the
NLT at Biblegateway.com quoted here,
reads differently, than he quotes.)
the verses 24-25 in entirety. Note also that the
NLT at Biblegateway.com quoted here,
reads differently, than he quotes.)
Gateway bible reads, " A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to
everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will
change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth."
Rick says,
"The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (NLT) that meekness is a qualification for spiritual leadership: “The Lord’s servants must not quarrel...They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth.” Pastor, how are you doing in this area? Are you quarrelsome? We are to gently instruct our people and hope that God will give them a change of heart."
Pastor, are you qualified to lead by being "meek"....
(or as we have been instructed here,
"in control"... not letting other people
dominate your emotional well-being....
and are you open to change, willing
to implement new ideas?)
Are you quarrelsome?
(Do you have a problem with Rick mentoring you...
or with your pastor who wants to go purpose driven?)
Are you gently instructing your people
(or as we have been instructed here,
"in control"... not letting other people
dominate your emotional well-being....
and are you open to change, willing
to implement new ideas?)
Are you quarrelsome?
(Do you have a problem with Rick mentoring you...
or with your pastor who wants to go purpose driven?)
Are you gently instructing your people
hoping God will give them a "change" of heart?
(Note that the scriptures talk specifically
about leading those who oppose the truth
to a "change" of heart, and not
the established, rooted and grounded church
changing what they believe and practice
when some new idea or gospel comes along.
the established, rooted and grounded church
changing what they believe and practice
when some new idea or gospel comes along.
4. "When someone corrects you, be teachable rather than unreachable."
Pastor, are you teachable?
Who is teaching you?
Rick?
Do you stand corrected?
Has Rick restored that lost meaning of meek and meekness for you?
Do you stand corrected?
Has Rick restored that lost meaning of meek and meekness for you?
To further prove his point about correction, Rick pulls out James 1:19 in a completely different version of scripture translation then he used before. He instructs us that,
"James 1:19 ( in the GNB) says, “Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Pastor, everyone means you too."
Rick is talking to you.... pastor.
Rick is talking to you.... pastor.
By the way, pastor....
if you are really "meek,"
and if you really follow the biblical concept
of being "quick to listen, slow to speak
and slow to become angry"
like you should be ...
then you would,
like you should be ...
then you would,
be listening to Rick.
5."When somebody hurts you, be an actor not a reactor."
Now this is interesting advice from a pastor to other pastors...
"Be an actor." he says.
But what is an "actor?"
(He does not elaborate here )
An "actor," by definition, is a person
(He does not elaborate here )
An "actor," by definition, is a person
who behaves in a way
that is not genuine.
that is not genuine.
This is not a good trait...
(even if it sing-songs with "reactor.")
As in, "Be an actor, not a reactor" *see endnote
Rick concludes by asking, "What did Jesus mean when he promised, "Happy are the people who can control their reactions, for they will inherit the earth'?”
These words are changed by Rick from what the scriptures actually tell us that Jesus said and in the very next Sentence, Rick puts you,. not God, into position of control. He interprets this: "You'll be in control of your situation because you’re not being controlled by it. If you are a meek person, you are no longer a victim. You control your choices."
These words are changed by Rick from what the scriptures actually tell us that Jesus said and in the very next Sentence, Rick puts you,. not God, into position of control. He interprets this: "You'll be in control of your situation because you’re not being controlled by it. If you are a meek person, you are no longer a victim. You control your choices."
One can only wonder why throughout this whole topic of teaching this beatitude on meekness, Rick neglects mentioning anything about the importance of subjecting one's self to God's rule and will. He mentions nothing of the humility of admitting a need for a savior and believing on the one whom he sent, Jesus Christ in order to be forgiven and saved from our sin.
*"Be an actor, not a reactor"
Note that Rick talks about this cliche' directly his 2008 book,
Note that Rick talks about this cliche' directly his 2008 book,
and he gives this clarification in this book saying,
"initiates action."
Wow.
It looks like he just made that definition too!
Wow.
It looks like he just made that definition too!
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