The term “meekness” can be mistaken for fear and weakness. However, the Bible reveals the true meaning of this fruit of the Holy Spirit. Today, R.C. Sproul encourages us to grow in meekness and self-control. Get R.C. Sproul’s book Growing in Holiness, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Developing Christian Character and the digital study guide, for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3764/developing-christian-character Meet Today’s Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep, practical truths from God’s Word. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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I don't know what it is about the English language that tends to give us problems about understanding the meaning of meekness. When we look at the Scriptures, we see meekness elevated as a virtue and as a word that is used to describe some of the most powerful and strong characters in Scripture.
For most people, meekness means weakness. But those in Scripture who model meekness for us are anything but weak. Hi, I'm Nathan W. Bingham, and this week we've been considering the fruit of the Spirit and what it means to develop Christian character. This week's messages are from a 12-part study with R.C.
Sproul, and you can have lifetime digital access to all 12 plus the study guide when you show your support of Renewing Your Mind with a year-end donation of any amount at renewingyourmind.org. To further express our gratitude for your support, we'll also send you Dr. Sproul's book, Growing in Holiness. Tomorrow is the final day for this resource offer, so respond while there's still time.
So what is meekness then, biblically speaking? Here's Dr. Sproul.
I don't know what it is about the English language that tends to give us problems about understanding the meaning of meekness or gentleness. So often the popular conception of meekness is that of the insipid type personality that is characteristically shy, reticent, timid, and fearful.
I don't know where that idea ever came from, but when we look at the Scriptures, we see meekness elevated as a virtue and as a word that is used to describe some of the most powerful and strong characters in Scripture. For example, we are told that Moses was a meek man. And when you think of Moses, you certainly don't think of a weakling.
But he has the image of one who exhibited extraordinary gifts of leadership and extraordinary power and strength. And not only do we find it with Moses, but we also find it with Jesus. Remember when Jesus said, take my yoke upon you, learn of me, for I am what? I am meek and lowly in heart. We see Jesus again putting his benediction on this virtue.
It's in the context of the Sermon on the Mount when he said, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Well, we've seen that there is a discrepancy in English translations of this concept, and some translators prefer another word perhaps to get away from the distorted image that meekness has, and that is the concept of gentleness.
And that's really what we're talking about with respect to meekness. Now, gentleness or meekness in biblical categories do not exclude the possibility of strength. In fact, in a very real sense, they presuppose strength. We see that meekness is a characteristic of God himself. The God who is omnipotent, the God whose strength is transcendent, tempers that strength by gentleness or by tenderness.
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