Christmas is coming soon. We will all be decorating our homes. Have you ever noticed how plain your Christmas tree is until you put ornaments on it? Ornaments make it beautiful. What truly makes a woman beautiful? What ornament does God command that women use to make themselves beautiful in His eyes? The KJV of the Bible states that women should be characterized with "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit."
Many other versions translate "meek" into "gentle." Meek is a powerful word that is packed full with meaning that encompasses gentleness, but a whole lot more. Becoming meek is becoming like Jesus. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls {Matthew 11:29}.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss did an entire series on women developing a meek spirit. I studied the entire series and am going to summarize it in two posts for you. If you have time, I encourage you to do the whole series also. It is powerful and very convicting. If you work on becoming meek, you will automatically become submissive to your husband and gentle with others. It is a VERY important ornament to decorate your life with. It is the BEST gift you can give to your husband and others!
Most women have a problem with talking too much; meekness, on the other hand, means you don't overwhelm others with words by talking fast and intensely. You don't run others over with rough words and by steamrolling them with your opinions. Instead, you are kind and considerate {Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 6:11}. The opposite of meekness is self-assertiveness; standing up for your rights, demanding, speaking your mind and having it your way. All of these things are championed in today's culture. Young women are taught to be characterized by these qualities which are in complete opposition to meekness which is teachable, humble and open to counsel.
I know this to be true. I have been mentoring women for ten years now. It isn't an easy thing to do today with the opinionated and self-assertive young women. Many don't want to learn from me and think they know better. However, if they continue to listen to God's Word, I have seen hearts soften and a willingness to learn. It is a beautiful thing!
Many believe that being meek is being weak. This is completely false. Meekness is not being mousy, spineless, having no opinions, weak, fragile, wimpy, brainless or pitiful. A Bible dictionary defines it this way; "Meekness is an attitude of humility towards God and gentleness towards people, springing from a recognition that God is in control." The Webster-Miriam dictionary defines it this way; "Meekness is enduring injury with patience and without resentment." Matthew Henry wrote, "Meekness is a gracious, easiness of spirit. It accommodates the soul to every occurrence and so makes a man easy to himself and to all about him." In other words, don't make others uptight! Make it easy and comfortable for others to be with you.
Do you know any meek women? How would you describe them? I would love for any of you to describe women in your life who are meek in the comment section. I bet you love being around them. They may not be beautiful in the world's eyes, but they are sure beautiful in yours!
HERE is the follow up post on meekness!
HERE is the follow up post on meekness!
