THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS “MEEKNESS” (part three) Gal. 5 : 22

The Lord came not only to SAVE  from an ETERNITY of separation from God:

He came to ENRICH, to ENLARGE, and to IMPROVE our lives as the Holy Spirit continually ministers to bring about this improvement –(Rom. 12 : 2) Do not confirm any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is , His good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

What we need to do is get our minds “Saved”, WHY? Because in the mind of many MEEKNESS refers to- spineless type of person. But meekness in the New Testament is a Positive quality that is expressed in attitude and action !   

“ MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS”

Christ was said to be meek, in Matthew we read the following : Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me , for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Let me maybe put it this way, to be meek means to be completely open, to have a teachable mind and to be instantly responsive, AS FOLLOWERS of Jesus Christ we need to let Him be in the driver’s seat, WHY?  Because God offers promises and guidance to the meek and humble, ( Ps. 25 : 9) He guides the humble in what is right and teachers them the way.

He guides the humble in what is right and teachers them the way.

A horse which is “sensitive “ to the bridle bit and who response without a moment’s hesitation to the wishers of the rider , could be said to be meek.

Paul brings his list of the fruit to a conclusion by listing at the end “Self Control “, not external control but inward self-control.  The writer of Proverbs declared , ( Prov. 16 : 32) Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

And the TRAGEDY of a man without self-control is described as follows: Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks control.

We can believe that the Holy Spirit wants to maintain control over our attitudes , ambitions ,actions ,emotions ,moods, imagination ,thoughts, tempers, talents, money and our time.

Easier said than done , one has just to drive down William Nichol Rd. that takes the best part of a hour in” bumper to bumper” traffic and just when you get a gap a Taxi or should I say four or five of them cuts you off and jumps the red robot  only to all get stuck in the middle of the intersection when the robots changes the green.

It’s a pity that Self Control is not a permanent achievement but a way of life helped by the Holy Spirit to be practiced moment by moment AND we must trust in the Holy Spirit to enable us to understand the truth about God and life. ( Jn. 16 : 13 ) But when he, the spirit of truth , comes , he will guide you into the truth.

“Day by day we are to walk in the Spirit and be led by the spirit and to be filled with the Spirit .”

So don’t deceive yourself by blaming others for lack of control over yourself , but trust in the power of the Holy Spirit as we face life (Acts 16 : 13 ) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.