James 1:21: “… receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls.”

Where have we come up with the idea that to be meek means to be weak? Maybe we have assumed their meanings to be the same because they rhyme. “Dog” and “hog” rhyme, but it is obvious that they are not the same. This misinterpretation of “meek” has led us to envision a meek person as one without stamina who will not look you in the eye when he speaks, dresses shabbily, eats lettuce and bird seed, and allows others to walk all over him. But this is incorrect. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus called Himself “meek,” and He certainly never failed to look directly into the eyes of the one He was speaking to. He was far from being weak and He did not allow others to push Him around. He actually physically picked up the money changers and threw them out of the temple!

The Greek word for “meek” is “praus” and it means, “to be teachable.” The root meaning of this word refers to a horse that could be easily controlled by the bit in its mouth, in other words, a horse that could be quickly trained.

A meek, teachable person knows that he always has more to learn. A meek person is not challenged by pride or arrogance because he realizes the more he learns, the more there is to be learned. An arrogant person thinks he knows it all and has no need to be taught. He is unteachable, which is a sure sign of coming destruction. But Proverbs1:5 says, “A wise man will
hear, and will increase learning.” Knowledge is a two-edged sword, also revealing what we do not know.

James 1:21 tells us we are to “receive with meekness the engrafted (implanted) word.” We should always have a teachable attitude when receiving the Word of God. When sitting under the teaching ministry of others, we should not listen with a critical attitude. There is much to be learned, even from those with whom we disagree.

Jesus told us “the meek shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Teachable people always seem to have favor with others around them . They continually inherit the blessings of life. They have an understanding of God’s message of prosperity and walk in the inheritance of land, possessions, and finances in the earth. It pays to be teachable!

In His Love,

Bob Yandian

Copyright 2009 by Bob Yandian Ministries.
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