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

Where did we ever get the idea that meekness meant weakness? Just because "meek" and "weak" rhyme, does not mean that they are the same. "Cat" and "rat" rhyme, but they are far from the same.

When we hear that a person is meek, we usually think of someone who is skinny with absolutely no strength. We get the image of a person who walks stoop­shouldered and who won't look at you when they speak. We often perceive them as being afraid of people who are strong and confident and who allow others to walk all over them. They never retaliate and they answer with a soft voice. Jesus was far from this type of person, yet, called himself "meek and lowly of heart" (Matthew 11:29). This meek Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple for defiling the house of God. This meant he was strong in body and character.

The Greek word for "meek" is prous. Its root is older than the koine Greek of the New Testament. It dates back to thousands of years before Jesus and was used of a horse that could be trained. None of the strength and character of the horse was sacrificed, but the owner and rider could easily train it. The word eventually meant to have a teachable attitude. Let's put this definition into our opening verse in James "…receive with a teachable attitude, the engrafted word…"

All of our strength and character is under the control of the Holy Spirit as we submit ourselves to the authority of God's Word. We never come to a place where we know everything. We must always maintain a teachable attitude. A meek person realizes no matter how much he knows, there is always more to learn. The moment you refuse to be meek, you become unteachable. You are saying "I have arrived. There is nothing more to be learned." This is the opposite of meekness. It is pride and arrogance. The more you learn, the more you realize that there is to be learned. Knowledge is a never-ending journey.

Jesus told us, "the meek shall inherit the earth." A meek person will become prosperous because he realizes that he cannot do it himself. It takes the Word of God operating in our lives. 1 John 2 says that God wants us to prosper "…even as our soul prospers." Knowledge of the Word of God is critical to prosperity in our natural life.

Bob Yandian

Copyright 2009 by Bob Yandian Ministries.
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