Meekness
Modern sensibilities resist the idea of meekness. And yet, it is one of the words that Jesus uses to describe Himself! A biblical understanding of the power and strength in true meekness gives us much hope! In this episode, Janet and Alexandra focus on a Christ-like quiet spirit, and the beauty of freedom of not resisting what God allows into our lives. Main passages: 1 Peter 3:1-4, Psalm 131
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Transcript:
Resources:
Books
Beautiful in God’s Eyes - Elizabeth George
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment - Jeremiah Burrough
Gentle and Lowly - Dane Ortlund
Scripture
Assessment
Meekness Assessment - Martha Peace
Janet: I don't just need to feel better. I need the truth. And ultimately that will make me better.
Alexandra: I just want to make it as totally simple and no brainer as possible for ladies to see that
the Bible is really applicable to their everyday life.
Jocelyn: When they understand theology, the application flows out of it quickly with joy.
Janet: It is a journey, but even the journey itself is joyful when I'm doing it, holding the hand of
my savior and trusting him all along the way. This is the joyful journey podcast, a podcast to
inspire and equip women to passionately pursue beautiful biblical truth on their journey as
women of God. When you choose truth, you're choosing joy. Typically, I’ll be joined by either
Jocelyn or Alexandra, but for our first full episode listen as all three of us discuss the topic of
joy.
Janet: Welcome back. And thank you for joining us once again. I'm Janet here with Alexandra to
learn about the beauty of a word that's commonly misunderstood, and as a result, isn't very
appealing to many. And that word is meekness. Alexandra, what comes to your mind when you
think about the typical idea of meekness?
Alexandra: So before I ever studied meekness, I used to think of it as being like mousy, like
being a doormat that people walked all over.
Janet: Yes. Never having an opinion.
Alexandra: Yeah.
Janet: Yes. And is it any wonder that it's not a character quality we're drawn to?
Alexandra: Right.
Janet: So I really want to share with you a better understanding of this word that I needed to
study as someone who has never been accused of having a quiet voice. I really needed to know
what meekness meant.
Alexandra: I hear you. Same.
Janet: I want people to see that it really comes from a great strength. And it's a character quality
that if we grow that in our lives, we would draw people to God just by how we live. It's pretty
powerful. I didn't understand at all what this quality meant. I was surprised and I'm excited to
share it. So let's start with a passage where the word is used. Alexandra, can you read for us 1
Peter 3 verses one to four.
Alexandra: Absolutely. " In the same way, you wives be submissive to your own husbands so
that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by
the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior and let not your
adornment be merely external, braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses,
but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."
Janet: Excellent. Gentle and quiet spirit. And I hear that and say, does that mean I need to talk
like this? And here's what I learned. No, because when you talk like this, it's not meek and quiet,
it's really just irritating, cause nobody can hear what you're saying. That was helpful. But,
because of this verse-- we're going to talk about what this verse means, but because of this
passage, many people think it's a character quality for women. To be meek and quiet. You don't
hear that about men. So what do you think about finding out that the vast majority of people
referred to as meek in the Bible were men?
Alexandra: You know what? I had never thought of that before, but you're absolutely right. I feel
like I always hear about the need for meekness in regards to Christian women. But actually, if
you think about the first record of meekness in the Bible was about Moses being the meekest
man on earth in Numbers 12.
Janet: And who wants to call him weak?
Alexandra: Right? No. And you know, it also reminds me of a quote by Jerry Bridges. He says
that both gentleness and meekness are born of power, not weakness. There's a pseudo gentleness.
So here that is a false meekness that is effeminate. And there is a pseudo meekness that is
cowardly, but a Christian is to be gentle and meek, because those are God-like virtues. We should
never be afraid, therefore that the gentleness of the spirit means weakness of character. It takes
strength-- God's strength-- to be truly gentle.
Janet: Love that.
Alexandra: So it's so interesting that Bridges says here that a sign that meekness is not being
lived out biblically is when it is effeminate or cowardly. And I think those are the two biggest
reasons why many believers are not passionate about pursuing meekness.
Janet: I totally agree.
Alexandra: And I'm super excited today to read through some passages of scripture that you have
for us, Janet, that give us really a biblical breakdown of meekness.
Janet: Yes. Yes. So let's start with that. Let's read one passage where meekness is talked about in
Matthew 11:29. A lot of people are familiar with this passage, " Come to me, all you who are
weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach
you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." And that
word humble is the same word for meek. It's the Greek word prouse and I don't think anybody is
going to want to say that Jesus was weak. But he was humble and he was meek. so the way we
use the word today is not the greatest translation. I almost prefer to say Prouse and just say the
Greek word instead of use meek, because it has all these other different connotations to it. So,
what are the two words? One is that meek or Prouse and what it actually means is that I accept
God's dealings with me as good, so I don't resist them. Which was exactly how Jesus lived his
life. He always did what honored his father. He did not resist his father's will. But there was
nothing easy about it. That's what that means. It's a disposition, very closely linked with humility.
And in the version I read, they actually translated it as humble. So it's an attitude of heart toward
God, where I'm free to focus on loving others in all meekness. And I'm not easily agitated about
what happens because I'm growing that I trust that whatever's happening is coming from a loving
and sovereign God.
Alexandra: Janet, I appreciate that you brought up the word humility just then. I think this is the
difference between someone who acts like a doormat and lets people walk all over them, and
someone who is truly meek. Jesus certainly was not a doormat. And John MacArthur says that
meekness is power under control. So here's this full quote. He says that gentleness has nothing to
do with weakness, timidity, indifference or cowardice. It was used of wild animals that were
tamed, especially of horses that were broken and trained. Such an animal still has a strength and
spirit, but it's will is under the control of its master. Meekness is power under control. And
biblical gentleness is power under the control of God. So Janet, how do you think that we can
grow to be like Christ with a special type of powerful gentleness that we see in Matthew 11:29?
Janet: Yeah. Well, it's interesting. We see in Galatians 5: 23, where it's used again, that it's a fruit
of the spirit. So I can't do it. And I think that's really important to remember that without the
work of the Holy Spirit, I cannot be meek. I cannot do this on my own. But, with the help of the
Holy Spirit, which all of us who have come to Christ and repented, we have the help of the spirit,
we can grow in that. We can grow to be like Christ, trusting God to where I don't resist what he
brings into my life. Now I get to focus all my energy on handling it in a way that honors the
Lord, instead of fighting it. So, a statement that I have used to think about that: meekness
recognizes that even evil is permitted and employed for the chastening and purifying of
believers. We are never victims. Which is exactly how Christ lived. Evil was against him. He
was murdered, but it was used for the good of his people. He was not a victim. Couple of verses,
if you want to think about that: Genesis 50: 20 Romans 8: 28 and 29. But think about a situation
that tends to make you angry. We don't like to say that because we're Christians. Think of what
irritates and frustrates you.
Alexandra: Basically anger.
Janet: Exactly. And maybe it's something that's really not fair. But even in that, by God's grace, I
can do what I can in the situation, but I can stop resisting that God allowed it in the first place.
Because here's what I know: God is in it, and all of his dealings are good. So gentle and quiet.
The first word there is gentle. The second word is quiet. And another place where that word
comes up is in 1 Timothy 2: 2. Can you just read verses one and two?
Alexandra: Absolutely. "First of all then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions, and
Thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for Kings and all who are in authority in order that
we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Janet: Tranquil and quiet life. I mean, I love that. Just you hear that and you go, oh, oh, I want
that.
Alexandra: Yeah.
Janet: You you don't hear that a lot in your home, right. With five little ones.
Alexandra: Five little kids. Sounds really nice right now.
Janet: The first one you really don't have a lot of: tranquil is a quietness from without. Like, if
you're somewhere early in the morning and you're looking out at a lake where nothing is moving
and there's no waves, you look at that and say tranquil. Sometimes we experience that,
sometimes we don't. But that second word where it says quiet, that's our same word, from first
Peter. And it has to do with what's inside you. It's a state of being. That you will not cause a
disturbance to others because you're not anxious.
Alexandra: That's interesting.
Janet: And that's our word. So I can't always be in tranquil circumstances
Alexandra: or control it to be tranquil.
Janet: No, but I can have a quiet soul. So it's what's going on in my soul. And it comes from a
meek heart that has this stabilizing trust that God is good. It's not something I can make happen,
but it's a result of a meek heart, which recognizes that God is overseeing every aspect of my life.
And because of that, I can have a quiet spirit inside. And as I deal with other people, and I just
think I want that. That would be amazing. Here's an illustration that may help you to see the
difference. It's possible to have a quiet spirit, to not be riled up, but it's not coming from a meek
heart that's trusting God. I was reading a book by Jeremiah Burroughs and he was talking about
people who are just by nature of a more quiet disposition. It's not the result of a meek heart. They
just have a quiet disposition, which could be the result of apathy. For instance, if you would ask
me-- as happened, we were just traveling recently to a different state and they were asking us, oh,
have you been following something with football and how this team did? I have to tell you, I
have a very quiet soul when it comes to football. Because I don't care. I don't even know who the
people are. I know how the game is played. I can watch and enjoy with friends if it's going on,
but I don't follow it. So I don't get riled up about it. I have a very quiet soul about football. But
it's from apathy. I don't really care. But a meek heart can be very passionate about God, care very
deeply about a situation, and still have a quiet soul.
Alexandra: That's beautiful.
Janet: That is supernatural. And then that person with a meek and quiet heart is free to
concentrate on others, and love others. Because you're not chaotically trying to manipulate things
to get it to go the way I think it ought to go, so the things-- because I care so much, and I can't
have this happen. I need-- I don't have to do that anymore. I don't have to do that. So I can have a
quiet soul and be joyfully and loudly singing and laughing, and I can have a noisy soul and be
very, very quiet. Sometimes, if I want to work on an area and say, where am I in that, it helps to
see the opposite. So what would be the opposite of a meek heart that's trusting God? And I would
say, a manifestation of that would be anger or fear, because those are rooted not in trusting God.
They're rooted in trusting me. They're rooted in pride. So we have to ask, do I struggle with
anger and fear? If I do, maybe meekness as an area I need to work on. Meekness means I trust
that a good and loving and big God is in control. Anger means I trust me. That means I now have
to demand my rights. I have to make sure nobody's taken advantage of me. I have to make sure
things go the way I know they ought to go because I know what's best. And now I have to either
manipulate circumstances, or somehow control them because it's about me. You might think,
well, fear is not that way. Well, fear also means I don't trust God. But instead of maybe trying to
control the circumstance by being in it, I now manipulate by avoiding. I'm not going to be in that
circumstance. I would rather not be in that circumstance because I don't see that God is in it. I
cannot trust. Meekness-- another manifestation. Are you quick to forgive? Because here's what I
know. God allowed that to happen. And it was good for my soul to have to work through that. So
I'm quick to forgive. Anger and pride, quick to condemn, because it's all about me. Here's a
really silly example that Brent has allowed me to share from many years ago now. But, it's silly,
but when I've shared it in the past, people have said it helped them see it. Because this is where
we live, in our silly little moments. Years ago, back in the day, in the mornings, Brent would
have cereal; I would have a protein shake. We don't do that anymore, but that's what we did. I
pull out the milk. It's almost gone. So here's what we know immediately. I am not having a
protein shake and Brent having cereal. Somebody is not getting something. And here's what I
saw. I looked up and I saw Brent look irritated for a second. And then it was gone cause he'd
already poured his cereal. So he's goes to get the milk and he's looking at it, realizing if I take
this, she can't have her shake. So I see the irritation. He doesn't say anything. He just starts
putting his cereal back in the box. I should be thanking God like a meek heart that sees God was
in this. This was an opportunity. Now I can respond like Jesus. I can be saying, look, my husband
had an opportunity to serve. He wrestled his soul down, like quickly and served. I'd be grateful
that he was willing to do that for me. I'd even see that momentary conflict as, look at that the
Lord gave him grace in that he didn't give into that. I could just be grateful, but you know what?
That's not what happened. I don't know if you can relate to this at all, but I took it very
personally. And now, because I'm not thinking what's God up to, I'm thinking, you know what?
Here's what he said that really upset me: when do you think we'll have more milk? What a
horrible man. Right? I married a monster who is just wanting to know, should I plan to have
cereal tomorrow or should I have another plan? So here's what I'm not thinking. My husband's
been gracious. He's trying to prepare himself to serve me tomorrow if he needed to. Though,
there wasn't even enough milk for both of us for tomorrow. Instead, I now heard, you didn't do
your job as a wife. You did not plan enough to have enough food because I'm all about being
amazing in myself. This was not about the glory of God. This was about me. It was a personal
attack and I start justifying all the reasons why they-- my family, not me-- use way more milk
than they normally would. There's no way I could've known that I did not do anything wrong. I
couldn't have planned for that. And now I'm getting mad. What did we say in the anger
definition? I am thinking about me. I am not seeing God and his sovereignty. I'm seeing myself.
So I was defensive. And now I'm going to manipulate the situation. Oh buddy, you're having
milk. I will not have anything. You will have milk. And so I'm telling him I don't want
Alexandra: You will enjoy it.
Janet: Exactly. And it will be fun. I will not feel guilty. You will not make me feel guilty-- as if
he was trying. And I'm telling him, get your cereal. I don't -- No, I don't even want. No, take it.
No, take it. Now I'm being mean to my husband to force him to have cereal so that I don't have to
feel bad. And now I'm manipulating and I'm angry. I'm doing all the things. And I'm having
selfish thoughts in my head. He does not even appreciate what I do. He notices the one thing we
don't have. Poor guy has not even done anything yet, but this is what's going on. But what was
really happening there? Cause we can also go, oh, I know I can be silly that way too.
Theologically what was happening there? I was focused on me and my glory, not God's. I did not
have a meek heart that realized even if it had been a failure on my part, even if I should have
known because we were having company and I just didn't get enough milk, God was over all of
that. He gave my husband an opportunity to serve. He took it. I can go get more milk today and I
can humble myself and see God is at work showing me that I still need to grow. But that's not
what happened. What's really ironic is that five minutes after this, me being angry and blowing
up over me not having milk, over my husband serving me, my neighbor three doors down, calls
me and says, I'm about to head out of town. Can I leave you my milk? And I was like, oh, now
I'm mad about that. Because now I see it was totally me. And I did ask forgiveness. We did
handle it and it was good. But to see there on a practical level, when I don't have a meek heart
and I don't see God is up to something here, what I need to do is just show God's values. I don't
need to control the situation. When I make it about me, that's what happens-- anger and fear.
Well, what's the opposite of a quiet soul. Well, a noisy soul. What do I mean by that? There's this
agitation because I'm trying to control things that I shouldn't, that are not mine. One way to look
at that is, would you say your life is characterized by chaos? Not are you busy? Not, do you have
five young children and your house feels quote unquote chaotic because there's people
everywhere. I don't mean that. I mean, inside. Are you chaotic? Our culture puts so much
pressure right now on us that we're supposed to be so busy and we're proud of that. And we can
hold that like a badge of honor. Oh yes. I'm so busy. You know? When someone says, how you
doing, oh, I'm using this and this and that or how I can't keep up with anything. Well, there's
nothing really spiritual about living in chaos. But we're proud of it. I can have an active, exciting
life without suffering through a life of turmoil and being proud of that noisy soul.
Alexandra: You know, Janet, this is a habit that I had. So I'm hearing this I'm going. Yep. Yep. I
get it. I would get stuck in this cycle of, you know, I would commit to everything because I really
thought that I could handle it. And I love to take on new projects. And it may look like I'm super
spiritual, but in looking at the heart behind it, it was pride that my capacity was greater than what
it was. And then the result would be, I would get overwhelmed and want to quit everything and
not want to do any of it. So for the past five or so years, my husband has helped me live within
my limitations. Cause he can see it. I just struggle seeing my own limitations. So if anyone out
here is listening and you're like me, and it's hard to see where your own boundaries are, find
someone in your life, whether it's a spouse or a good friend, whom you can ask to see if it's wise
before adding something to your calendar.
Janet: Yes. love that example because a meek and quiet heart is one that is looking to God, not
trying to be, God, God does not have limits. I do. And when I try to live without limits, I will
have a noisy soul.
Alexandra: So true.
Janet: Because I'm not God. So learning how to live within my limits is a real act of humility.
And it's going to really help you have a quiet soul. I mean, there are times when we are busier
than we want to be, when we're stretched more than we are comfortable and God allows that.
Sometimes, as you've said, it's just our choices catching up to us. Sometimes it's not. It's, I didn't
know there was going to be an accident, and I would be also caring for two family members
when I-- we didn't know. And God will use those times. But I'm going to handle them better if
I've already been working on living within my limitations, developing a quiet spirit. And those
times should not be characteristic of every week. a Psalm that I love about this is Psalm 1: 31
Alexandra, can you read that?
Alexandra: Love this Psalm. Oh Lord, my heart is not proud nor my eyes haughty, nor do I
involve myself in great matters or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and
quieted my soul, like a weaned child rests against his mother. My soul is like a weaned child
within me. Oh, Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.
Janet: Or I have not handled matters in a biblical fashion as God were telling me. And now I
have this sinfully noisy soul. That's what I'm screaming. When I say that, How has your week
been? This is an excellent song to memorize for those of us who are working on quieting our
souls. Cause David here tells us how to have a quiet soul. Oh, Israel, hope in the Lord. That is a
MyChart. Where is my trust? It's in the Lord. Andy also says I have composed and quieted my
soul. He tells us he has to actively choose to quiet his soul. That is such a short Psalm, but I love
it. And I love thinking about a weaned child resting against his mother. And I think if I'm like a
weaned child in the arms of God. And then you think of a nursing child in the arms, where's the
food, where's the food, where's the food, and frantic because I'm hungry. And God's saying don't
be like that frantic child be like a weaned child. So if only I realized when I start telling other
people, oh, my word, my life is so chaotic. Not I've had a fruitful busy week, but oh my word, it's
so chaotic. How am I going to do it? And when I'm proud of that, here's what I'm really saying.
I've been trying to handle matters way too great for me this week. So that, because he has a
meek heart, his soul is now quiet because he's trusting the Lord and not trying to do things that
are too difficult for him, or be the controller, because he trusts the Lord. Here's another verse that
is so convicting to me. can you read, Isaiah 30 verse 15?
Alexandra: For thus the Lord God, the holy one of Israel has said, in repentance and rest, you
shall be saved. In quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing.
Janet: Think about that. I contrast that with, God is talking to them right now because, they're
being rebellious as a nation, and instead of looking to God for deliverance, they go to Egypt and
the very next verse says, instead you go to Egypt. Now think about what happened in Egypt, if
you know anything about the scriptures. There was a time when Israel was in Egypt. And that
didn't end so well. They're under Pharaoh as slaves. Pharaoh who believes he's God. And
because he believes he's God, he says, I'm God, you're not, therefore I sit and rest and you work
your fingers to the bone and he abused them because they needed to serve him, cause he's God.
The true God is saying, in quietness and trust is your strength. In rest you will be delivered. In
other words, you don't need to do it yourself. I will do it for you. But you were not willing. I
think what is wrong with me that I say, no, I'm going to do this. I gotta-- instead of God saying,
honey, you know what I ask of you? I'm not like Pharaoh. I'm the real God. And I say, trust me. I
will work on your behalf.
Alexandra: It does require a trust though. Because that temptation it, like you've been saying, the
temptation is to control my circumstances, to make it tranquil. And we really don't trust that God
offers us the quiet, the quietness within our souls. You know, it really does require a trust in his
character.
Janet: Yes. Which is the basis of a meek heart. It has to be that I trust his character, which means
we have work to do. But I want to work on the right things. I need to work on that because--.
What's amazing is that we serve a God who could say I'm God, you'd better do all the work. He
could. But instead he says, here's what I want you to do. And okay. What do you want? I just
want you to trust me while I do the work. And I was not willing, this verse says.
Alexandra: And you know, that's the opposite of the let go and let God statements that people
make. Cause I think deep down we do want to be able to respond to when there's chaos in our
lives. And this verse gives us like something to do.
Janet: Yes.
Alexandra: Like a couple, the last couple of verses we've been reading.
Janet: Yes, we don't let go. We trust the Lord and be faithful.
Alexandra: Yeah.
Janet: But I don't try to change what God-- You're exactly right. This is not let go and let God.
This is trust God, which is very different. And that's where our strength is. So here, what does he
say? Quietness of soul. That's your strength? He doesn't say that's your weakness. That is where
your strength comes. When I have obeyed God, I've done all I can. That's what he commands of
me. He commands me, show people my value system, obey me, respond in a way that would
honor me. You see something unjust, show people my value system. Stand up. But when I've
done, what I can, the result of my obedience is up to God. And I trust him with that. So I work
hard, with a trusting, quiet soul. And then it reveals my view of God. So another area, another
verse where we see this as Matthew five. Matthew five to seven sermon on the Mount, at the
very beginning of it are the beatitudes that many people are familiar with. I want you to notice
how meekness or gentleness is exalted and then look at its connection to humility. Alexandra,
can you read verses one to five?
Alexandra: And when he saw the multitudes-- he being Jesus-- went up on the mountain, and
after he sat down, his disciples came to him, and opening his mouth. He began to teach them,
saying blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who
mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Janet: Excellent. I've always wondered what that actually meant. But that word gentle, that's the
word we're talking about. That's Prouse. So Christ is telling us what it means to live in a truly
righteous way, which is something we can't do completely till we're with him. But because I have
his spirit, I can grow in it. And then he tells us the great rewards that are promised to those who
live this way, who live a way of Prouse, of not resisting what God has allowed. And now that I
know what it means, I don't know Alexandra. How does that impact your understanding of what
he's trying to tell us here?
Alexandra: Well, I think that knowing that meekness is not wimpy-ness, but directly correlates
with gentleness, it really gives more depth to this passage. I really find this passage fascinating.
So we end the old Testament with a curse and Malachi 4: 6, but then the gospel begins with a
blessing. Jesus--
Janet: Oh I love that.
Alexandra: Yeah, Jesus begins his sermon on the Mount with this list of eight characteristics and
ways that his creation can be happiest. And it's an invitation to the crowd that has just gathered.
So in the same way, Christ invites us to what we want most. We want to spend our whole lives
pursuing what we think will make us happiness. And Jesus invites us to that path of joy. So the
reason why believers who are meek are the happiest believers are because this, along with the
other traits listed in this passage, are ultimately characteristics of Jesus. Jesus quietly submitted
himself to God and to his word. Jesus endured being provoked without giving into fury. And
Jesus had an unbelievable patience that allowed him to choose righteous responses. His heart is
one of forgiveness and not revenge.
Janet: And think about this, what we want many times is exaltation. And we don't want to be
meek because we think it's the opposite of that, which it's not, but it is a trust in God. Jesus, it
says in Philippians two is exalted above all. So the one who was the meekest, God rewards. And
this one says, if you're gentle the gentle, who don't resist me, they will inherit the earth. There is
an exaltation coming for those. And why would God do that for gentleness? Because it's, an
acknowledgement that we trusted him just like Jesus did. Of course we didn't do it just like, but
just as Jesus trusted him fully, submitted to him fully, was fully meek, and is now is the most
exalted. Those who are gentle and meek as they live, will inherit the earth and will be exalted. I
love that. But in the meantime, I don't know if you find this, but I do, that there are times when
there's that agitation that's starting in the pit of my stomach. And you know, my countenance isn't
displaying this joyful trust, but maybe a little dazed, maybe angry, maybe just trying to stay
above water. Now I can start looking at Psalm 131 and saying, okay, how did it begin again?
What great matter too difficult for me am I trying to proudly involve myself in? What matter am
I not handling according to biblical principles? And I know for me, it's usually controlling
somebody else. I'm upset because I was trying to work on something and I got interrupted five
times and there's this, errr, okay, I'm trying to control other people. I don't control people. Or
that's not right. What they just did is not right. I'm being taken advantage of. And this business
thinks that they can do-- That's not my job. Now, communicate biblically, but I can do it with a
quiet soul. And as I've been more aware of this area of my life, I'm seeing it more and more.
Think back in your own life, Alexandra. So just some situation, big or small, that was unfair.
Well, whatever that one is, let's think about the context of what we just read in 1 Peter three
where God is telling the wife to have a gentle and quiet spirit, which is I trust God, and I have a
quiet soul. Well, what we see is it's a husband who's behaving disobediently. Very possibly not a
believer. And God says, I want you to have the goal of pleasing me and winning your husband
when he's behaving in ways that are ungodly. Which outside of God's grace, we have to say that
is totally unfair. And it is. But that's what it's like to be like Jesus. And he helps me. And I do
that, not because my husband deserves it, but because I trust the God who is over my husband.
And I'm thankful for those opportunities to grow. So I hope as we go through this, that we're not
thinking I will never be this way. I cannot even imagine this. 2 Peter 3: 18. Alexandra, you want
to read that verse for us?
Alexandra: It says, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To
him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Janet: How freeing to know I can be growing. I can be growing. And as I'm growing, I can be
free of a noisy soul and I can beat it down and quiet it when the noisiness starts. You know, I can
remember when we were in the college ministry, one of the college girls, talking to me years ago,
wanting to be different from her classmates. And so she had decided that there were some
external ways she would just be different. And when I would talk to her about some of the
legalistic standards that I saw in her, she said, because I need to be different from the world. So
we had to talk about being different from the world doesn't just mean picking something that
they do and not doing it. Does that mean that I'm not going to get dressed up when I go to a
fancy restaurant, so I'll look different? I mean, I don't think that's the point. But I would say this,
if you lived a life that did not resist what God put into your life, if no matter what God put into
your life, you responded to it, handled it, didn't run away from it. And with strength even move
toward the hard and the unjust, but with a quiet soul, you're so different. How in the world, how
could the world not see that?
Alexandra: Yeah. And when we put those like legalistic weird boundaries into our life that are
just kind of severe, it really just draws attention to us.
Janet: Excellent point.
Alexandra: But then when we do have that quiet spirit, just how you just described, people
cannot help but notice how radically different you are responding, than how the world would
respond. It's just a supernatural, really super unnatural
Janet: Yes.
Alexandra: way of responding that you just cannot help but notice. And then you have the
opportunity to point that to Christ.
Janet: Yes. And I love that you say that some of our other standards that we do, either I don't
listen to this kind of music, or I want to dress this way, or I'm going to make sure whatever I do
that I want to look different and be noticed as different, you're right. It just makes people look at
me. But this doesn't. What an obvious difference in a world that prides itself on fighting for its
rights, and demanding their way. I can not mousily do nothing. I can speak truth. I can come
down on God's side. I can communicate biblically. I can resolve conflict. And have a gentle and
quiet spirit because I trust God with the outcome. That's different. And then I read in Romans
12: 17 to 21. I don't have the authority or the ability to exact vengeance, that that's God's alone.
So then I stopped thinking it's my job to fix all wrongs, but I do what I can and I trust God. So
how are we going to get there? What do we have to do? First, just a summary statement. A
woman of meekness trusts herself, her circumstances, and her loved ones to her holy and
sovereign God. And as a result is not easily riled or noisy in her soul. I read that and think I want
that. I can't say this is where I live, but I visit it and I would like to visit more often and stay
longer. How are we going to get there? I've mentioned this. I just want to say quickly, it's a fruit
of the spirit. So I can't do this without the help of the Spirit. I cannot whip this up within myself.
I have a responsibility, but I need his help. John 15: 5 says I can do nothing without him. And
that's actually true. So I'm going to need to do some things that are going to help me to trust his
character.
Alexandra: And also, I think it's important to note that because it's a fruit of the Holy Spirit, if
you're listening to this and you're not a believer, it's just not available to you at all. And so if this
is something that, you know, you are maybe not a Christian or someone who follows Christ. And
you're hearing this and thinking, gosh, I want that power over my circumstances. I want that
quietness from within, that inheritance from the Lord to experience that. Now this is tastes of
heaven that we're talking about. Heaven is going to be just such a peaceful eternity and, really
we're experiencing-- to be meek is to experience tastes of that within us; even if our
circumstances around us don't offer that. And so if you're listening to this and thinking, gosh, I
want that. It's not something that, like Janet is saying, it's not something that you can do on your
own. It has to be something from the holy spirit.
Janet: Excellent. Oh, I'm so glad you said that cause-- So yes, the first step would be
acknowledging that. And, you know, send us an email. If you want to reach out to us. Reach out
to somebody around you, if you don't understand what that means. But there is a huge difference
between learning about God, trying to use his principles to have a better life and having him be
my master, moving from the kingdom of Janet, to the kingdom of God. And it's available all
because of Christ. So yes, now if I am in Christ, I'm going to need to spend time studying and
learning about his character. Because as I come to know him more, I'm going to see how
trustworthy and awesome and how superior, and how much better he is, that his love is amazing.
Go back and listen to our podcast on hessed, and revel in that love. And I'm going to trust him
more, which is going to help me not fight what he allows.
Alexandra: I love it.
Janet: And then understand what his purpose is. Romans 8: 28 and 29 tell us that God has a
purpose for us, and that the purpose is to conform me to the image of Christ. I think sometimes I
get confused and I think his purpose is if I obey his principles, life will be easy. So then I obey
his principles. Life is not easier and I'm noisy.
Alexandra: Yeah.
Janet: Instead of, I have opportunities to see the parts of me that are not like Jesus, conform them
to look like Jesus. And when that's my goal and I have the same goal God has for me, no matter
where I am, I can be quiet. So I need to understand that. I have to be nourishing my roots. Not
only in learning the word, but praying and talking to the Lord about that. I'm gonna ask
Alexandra to read a part of Psalm 66 to you. Now that we've talked about what meekness is, how
do you see meekness in these verses? So it's Psalm 66 verses 8 to 12.
Alexandra: Bless our God, oh peoples. Let the sound of his praise be heard. Who has kept our
soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, oh God, have tested us. You have
tried us as silver is tried. You have brought us into the net and you have laid a crushing burden
on our backs. You let men ride over our heads. We went through fire and through water. Yet you
have brought us out into a place of abundance.
Janet: One of the things I think is fascinating about this, is he doesn't just say you brought us out.
He says, you captured us. You laid the burden on us. That's a meek heart. I see that it was all
from God. And then he brought us out. And so we see the meekness there.
Alexandra: You know, it says in that part, it says our lives are in his hands. And like you said,
this includes both suffering and prosperity, because both are equally under his power and his
goodness. And it reminds me of Ephesians 1 verses five and six. The end of verse five says,
according to his plan. So if you want to know God's plan for your life, it's this, it says to the
praise of his glorious grace. And if we want to know God's plan for the believer, both in
prosperity and in suffering, it is to allow us and others to praise his glorious grace. I'm not
worthy to be his beloved, but even in my weakness, God is tenderly loving me. And this is not
something that we can see with unholy eyes. We need to be praying, like you said, that God
allows us to see all the things in my life. Our purpose to point to his glorious grace. And
meekness is what allows me to live within this reality. Meekness allows me to shoulder any trial
or suffering with a quiet heart that has the sweet aroma of Christ.
Janet: I love that.
Alexandra: A.W. Tozer once said, the meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of
his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson,
but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life.
He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be. But paradoxically, he knows
at the same time that he has in the sight of God, more importance than the angels. In himself,
nothing. In God, everything. That's his motto. So when we're balancing the true humility of our
humanity with the tender love and goodness of our savior, that is what I think gives us the true
strength to be meek.
Janet: Absolutely. And then we realize the power of meekness in that way. To think ,you can win
a person to Christ because of your demonstration of a life of meekness.
Alexandra: And that gives us such hope if you're going through something really hard right now.
Janet: Yes. The goal is not, they need to see that if God is big, I shouldn't have hard things. And
so I need to pretend I don't. But when they see your meek heart in it, there is such power there.
So hopefully that's an encouragement to people. But you know, this is just scratching the surface.
So what are some things that we can do to help us grow even more? There's a book by J. I.
Packer called Knowing God. That's a great one or Jen Wilken, None Like Him, looking at the
character qualities of God and meditating on those. You know, I mentioned Psalm 131,
Alexandra read that. It's only three verses. Memorize, meditate on that. My husband did a little,
what we called a moment of faith a couple of years ago, or during the pandemic on that Psalm.
And we'll try to link that so you can have that teaching as well.
Alexandra: I still go back to that and listen-- it's like a five minute little video and I still go back
and listen to it when I'm struggling with having a noisy soul. It's so good.
Janet: So we'll link that one. Elizabeth George's book, Beautiful in God's Eyes. The book by
Jeremiah Burroughs that I was reading The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Excellent.
We're going to attach in the show notes, a meekness assessment. Martha Peace in the past has
given me permission to put this out. It's her assessment. But you can go through there if you're
trying to figure out how am I, and how can I assess where I might need to grow? That would be
great.
Alexandra: I also think that, the book Gentle and Lowly, I mean, you would think that this
podcast is being sponsored by Gentle and Lowly.
Janet: We make no money.
Alexandra: We truly don't, but it's just that good of a resource. I just feel like it's, you know,
seeing Jesus has gentleness and lowliness, it's a good mirror of how I should be living out
meekness. But it's also powerful to see his gentleness towards me because it helps me and I'm
not afraid to let go of control.
Janet: Yes. Dane Ortland describes Jesus this way: meek, humble, gentle. Jesus is not trigger
happy, not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He's the most understanding person in the
universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger, but open arms.
Alexandra: It makes me want to run to him.
Janet: Exactly. That's been one of my biggest takeaways from that whole book, is when I am
battling sin, I run faster, because I know his arms are open and he wants me to. And that's great.
So what's that going to do? I'm going to have a little bit, I still have much room to grow, a little
bit meeker heart when I understand the heart of my savior. So I do hope that this can be an
encouragement to you. And I hope you can come back next time because we're going to continue
to see that God's way is always better. Choosing truth is choosing joy.
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joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com. Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible
Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to
receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.
Host Janet and her husband, Brent, also speak at a variety of conferences as a way to raise money
for the seminary. If you want to look at what they offer or book them for a conference, go to their
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