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Why Does Meekness Look Like Weakness?

Our society often mistakes meekness for a sign of weakness, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Jesus described Himself as meek in Matthew 11:29, and He was not weak. One of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22–23 is meekness.

If meekness doesn’t mean weakness, then what exactly is it?

The definition I like to use is meekness is the ability to express power and might through gentleness and kindness.

Think of God. He is all-powerful and created the universe with a few words. He split oceans, collapsed walls, raised the dead and calmed a storm. All-powerful.

However, if God was only powerful and without love, we’d be sunk! He wouldn’t have cared for us or sent Jesus. He would simply smash and overwhelm us.

Instead, God expresses His power and might through gentleness and kindness toward us.

God holds the entire universe in His hands (mighty), yet cares deeply about your heart’s desires (kindness). Isaiah 42:3 talks about God mending a dying wick back to flame, displaying His meekness.

When the woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus, He had the power to smash her with the law. Instead, He guided through love.

Meekness is the opposite of weakness, which is the inability to do anything. Meekness says, “I can… but I choose to restrain my power and act in a gentle, kind way.”

For us, meekness is when we have power and authority and choose to display it in a gentle and kind way.

Jesus exhibited meekness when the leper approached Him in Matthew 8:1–4. He could have harshly pushed the man away because of the disease, since the law gave Him that right. Instead, meekness meant Jesus touched him and brought healing in a gentle way.

Here are some examples of how meekness can look today:

  • If a new person joins your group, you are in a position of power. You’re established in the group and well connected. You could use your position to make the new person feel small, different and like an outsider, OR you could be meek and use your power to be kind and welcome them.
  • If someone has done something to you and comes to you for forgiveness, you are in a position of strength and authority because they are beholden to you. You could wield your power harshly, OR you could be gentle. How you give your forgiveness can be kind.
  • When you have knowledge that other people don’t have, you are in a position of power. You could use this power to expose, embarrass and be harsh towards someone, OR you could choose to be meek and share it gently, or not share it at all.

Do we need to correct someone publicly because they said the wrong name of a politician in a story at the dinner table? Do we need to expose someone publicly for telling a lie? Why can’t we speak with them privately? Sometimes meekness means you remain silent. Other times, things need to be said.

Meekness will dictate how and when you give correction.

My challenge for you is this: when you find yourself in a position of power and authority, be like Jesus and choose to wield it with kindness and gentleness.