13 comments

Mary Kassian

Is Meek for the Weak?

Posted on 05.19.09 by Mary Kassian | Twitter: @MaryKassian
Topics: Womanhood

Is the meek person a human mouse infected with a sense of his or her own inferiority? Is meekness a glaring weakness? Last month, in a blog endorsed by many major newspapers and publishers, and listed by Technorati as one of the most popular in the blogosphere, author and psychotherapist Mary Jaksch gave subscribers some advice on "How to Ditch Meekness and Walk Tall."

According to Jaksch,

The root of meekness is low self-esteem. When our self-esteem is low, we respond to the challenges of life with doubts and fears. . . . if you were bullied, shut up, abused, or controlled . . . you may well suffer from meekness. I say 'suffer' because meekness doesn't make you happy; it leads to an unfulfilled life. . . . Meekness lets others rule your life . . . ditching meekness gives you freedom.

Jaksch, and her company of modern-day psychotherapy friends, would have us believe that meekness is spinelessness and spiritless—a doormat-type inclination that invites abuse. Christian humorist J. Upton Dickson played on this common conception by joking that he was planning to start an organization for the meek called DOORMATS, an acronym for "Dependent Organization of Really Meek And Timid Souls.” (Of course, being the meek man that he was, he gave up the plan when someone objected.)

In modern English, "meekness" carries the stigma of cowardly acquiescence. But the meekness of the Bible—the meekness manifested by God and given to the saints—is a strong, active, volitional, courageous attitude.

A Gentle & Meek Spirit
The word meek comes from the middle English meke and the Old Norse mjúkr meaning "soft." The Greek adverb (prautes) denotes "a mild, gentle, friendly composure." The adjective variously describes a soothing medicine, a gentle breeze, and a tamed colt. What do all these images have in common? They all describe great power under control. Meekness is submitting ourselves to the Lord, and curbing our natural desire to rebel, fight, have our own way, push ourselves forward, or push back.

Meekness is a disposition that is free of arrogance and pride. It is a calm, peaceful state of mind. The meek person puts up with the weakness of others, and is considerate towards them, enduring injury with great patience and without resentment, trusting in God's goodness and control over the situation. Those who are meek control their attitude and response towards others because they are mindful of God.

They act like Christ, who did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. Instead, He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. Meekness does not repay evil for evil. Nor does it retaliate when insulted. Meekness overcomes evil with good. Women, in particular, are to clothe themselves with "the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and meek spirit, which is so precious to God." (See 1 Peter 2:23-3:9) 

So is Mary Jaksch right? Is meek weak? Is the root of meekness low self-esteem? Is meekness giving in to fear? Does meekness lead to unhappiness and an unfulfilled life? Should we work to ditch this disposition? Not according to Scripture.

The Bible teaches that meekness contains great power. Meekness would be weakness if it meant yielding to sin. But because it stems from goodness and godliness, it is a great strength. Paradoxically, it is when we embrace meekness and bow down that we truly walk tall.

Comments

  1. Oh, thank you so much, Mary! These posts on meekness are really feeding my soul, and helping me to think Biblically in this area. I am gaining a greater understanding of true meekness and feel I will be able, by God's grace, to apply it in my life. Praise the Lord for the beauty of the truths in His Word, and I thank Him for vessels like you, Kim, Paula and the others on this blog who help point us to Christ through that Word. Keep shining the light!

    In His love,
    posted by Leslie S.
    on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 9:43 am
  2. How often have I heard the phrase "meekness is weekness"? I agree with you on this post about meekness and like the greek definition mild, gentle, friendly composure. Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians urged them to imitate Christ in meekness and gentleness. I will follow Christ in his example of what it means to walk tall.
    www.jodylynne.blogspot.com
    posted by Jody
    on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 9:49 am
  3. Jesus, our best and ultimate example, was meek.
    oh, to be like Him!

    "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5

    More and more we see the Truth becoming contrary to culture, and we must continue to be diligent in discerning the Truth.
    posted by Sandy
    on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 10:05 am
  4. This is so powerful, thank you! It has literally been an
    answer to a current life situation. Both through your
    post and a letter in the mail from June Hunt, I was reminded
    that when Jesus had a chance to defend himself he didn't!
    That is true power! It is true power to be meek because it is like Him. He demonstrates that softness and silence are the potency of Grace! Hallelujah!
    posted by Michele
    on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 10:52 am
  5. I am so thankful the the STRENGTH God gives us that allows us to be meek and mild when it would be so easy to lash out in situations. To his Glory.
    posted by Tamara
    on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 11:47 am
  6. Great post, another word so often mangled is prude. It is always used negatively.

    Prude: –noun a person who is excessively proper or modest in speech, conduct, dress, etc.
    www.gsgammo.blogspot.com
    posted by The Meek Prude, Gabriela Gammo
    on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 3:01 am
  7. It seems to me that biblical meekness has a focus on God, that no matter how others treat us we do not retaliate, threaten revenge or repay evil for evil because our focus is on a just God who is Lord of every person, situation and relationship. The world would have us focus on ourselves, assert ourselves, and improve our self-esteem to overcome meekness. It's all a question of our focus. I think life is pretty miserable when all you are focusing on is yourself...!!
    posted by Laura V Groves
    on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 6:33 am
  8. Next thing you know the American Psychiatric Association will have meekness listed in the DSM as a "mental illness". Then Jesus will be called mentally ill because the Bible says He was meek and so will all of us who follow Him. But then, because we all have a mental illness, our behavior won't be our fault because we have a meekness gene and it is genetic anyway.

    Please understand the above is an exercise of my spiritual gift of "sarcasm".
    miyoshig@aol.com
    posted by Miyoshi Gardner
    on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 1:16 pm
  9. I loved this article! Especially the part where you explained that meekness "puts up with the weaknesses of others, and is considerate towards them, enduring injury with great patience and without resentment.....TRUSTING Gods goodness." When I feel like retaliating to protect myself I need to remember how Jesus' responded, pray for a godly response and willingness to be hurt in the process. Also, overcoming evil with good. Teaching our children to do so is the opposite of what the world is telling them and will help them walk in victory.
    posted by Nicki
    on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 3:11 pm
  10. This is great! What a blessed relief to hear the Biblical definition, and how different it is from what society tell us. I have always felt and been seen as the doormat but what a revelation to discover it's just the opposite. I have always thought that I was responding this way, but never realized it was actually Christlike, thats a big comfort to me now.
    posted by Anita Ortloff
    on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:26 pm
  11. Thank you for talking and teaching about meekness. I have always defined it as quiet and a doormat. I now understand that it is that quiet peace I see in so many women. I want it for myself.
    http://www.truewoman.com/?id=675
    posted by Tara
    on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 4:01 am
  12. Next thing you know the American Psychiatric Association will have meekness listed in the DSM as a "mental illness".

    loved the sarcasm, Ms. Gardner. It made me chuckle!

    :o)
    posted by lisa
    on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 10:44 pm
  13. I stumbled on this wonderful blog as I was searching the web to try and understand the meaning of "when my meekness over comes me, remember me, not my shame" from Fernando Ortega's album, Fernando Ortega.

    I just love his music but don't understand what he is trying to say... "When my meekness over comes me..."

    I have tried to
    Live life humbly
    Not a coward
    Not in vain
    When my meekness
    Overcomes me
    Remember me
    Not my shame
    Not my shame
    posted by Emily
    on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 10:11 am

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