Too often people group spinelessness, cowardice, and meekness as synonyms. And yet, meekness or gentleness (depending on the translation) is one of the fruits of the spirit, and Jesus said the meek/gentle would inherit the earth. In our culture meekness seems to be anything but noble. Granted part of the difficulty comes from translating the original Greek to English. The word for meekness in Greek is Prautes.
Arostotle described Prautes as:
"The ability to bear reproaches and slights with moderation, and not to embark on revenge quickly, and not to be easily provoked to anger, but to be free from bitterness and contentiousness, having tranquility and stability in the spirit."
Other defenitions include "strength tempered by gentleness" or "strength under control"
Cowardice and meekness are antonyms.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Meekness is coloring wildly--inside the lines.
Meekness is thinking outside the box, but relating those thoughts to others so as to broaden their horizens
Meekness is unabashedly valuing truth without insisting others know you are right.
Meekness is saying yes.
Meekness is saying no.
Meekness is a leader following.
Meekness is understanding that despite your best efforts at philosophy, logic, and reason, some things, you will only understand intuitively.
Meekness is listening.
Meekness is a child sitting still.
Meekness is a thought written down.
Meekness is courage bowing to wisdom.
Meekness is pragmatism bowing to faith.
Meekness is the Lord of the Universe coming to earth as a baby.
The true measure of a tool lies, not in its inherent effectiveness or efficiency, but in its ability to be used.
