The Lord calls His disciples—and therefore us too—to learn meekness from Him. In order to be able to do this, we must first explore the question of what this quality involves.

Meekness is shown, among other things, by accepting difficulties, problems, disappointments, or personal attacks and insults without defending yourself or complaining. Furthermore, a meek spirit does not allow discontent, bitterness, or feelings of revenge to arise in the heart. Meekness is strength! It means to be strong in Christ and not to be tempted to do evil or to act carnally due to the provocation of other people. These things then bounce off me because I have put on Christ. Meekness is not weakness; it is strength under control. A meek person can afford to act gently and mildly because of inner strength. He is completely under the rule of God. We find three great commandments of meekness summed up in one scripture: “my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas. 1:19).

Meekness shows true greatness. Solomon says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32). How often the great names of famous conquerors appear in the records of history. How often their conduct, bravery, and success are exalted and celebrated! But the Word of God says that he who by meekness rules his spirit is greater than Alexander the Great or William the Conqueror. The Puritan Thomas Watson said, “Meekness consists of three things: enduring suffering, forgiving offense, repaying evil with good.”