Meekness: The Strength of Humility and Trust

Devotional

Day 1: Blessed Are the Meek: True Strength in Humility

Meekness is not weakness, but a Christlike strength that refuses to act out of pride, malice, or vengeance. In a world that often equates power with domination and aggression, Jesus flips the script and calls the meek blessed, promising them the inheritance of the earth. Meekness is the absence of pretension and the presence of self-control, even when provoked or wronged. It is the ability to stand for what is right without resorting to violence or arrogance, trusting that God is the ultimate defender and provider. The meek are those who can embody both wisdom and gentleness, stirring up “good trouble” for the sake of justice, but always with humility and grace. [06:02]

Matthew 5:5 (ESV)
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Reflection: In what situation this week can you choose humility and gentleness over asserting your own pride or need to be right, trusting God with the outcome?

Day 2: Wisdom and Gentleness: The Balance of the Serpent and the Dove

Jesus calls His followers to be “wise as serpents and gentle as doves,” a balance that prevents knowledge from becoming a tool of oppression or manipulation. Wisdom without gentleness can create an educated tyrant, while gentleness without wisdom can leave one vulnerable to deception. The world is full of voices that twist truth and encourage foolishness, but God’s people are called to discernment and integrity. This means confronting what is wrong with courage, but always with a spirit of humility and peace, refusing to let the world’s shrewdness turn us into oppressors. [06:43]

Matthew 10:16 (ESV)
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to pair wisdom with gentleness, speaking truth boldly but with a spirit of peace and humility?

Day 3: Remove Temptation: Setting Yourself Up for Spiritual Success

Self-control is not just about willpower, but about wisely removing temptations and managing your environment to make obedience easier. Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” and modeled this by refusing to engage endlessly with the enemy. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is to block, unfriend, or walk away from what leads you astray. It’s not a lack of faith to avoid situations or people that tempt you; it’s wisdom. Set yourself up for success by creating boundaries that help you walk in the blessing of meekness and self-control. [25:09]

Matthew 6:13 (ESV)
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Reflection: What is one temptation or trigger you can intentionally remove or avoid this week to help you walk in greater self-control?

Day 4: Forgive Yourself: Letting Go of Past Mistakes

Holding onto past failures and shame will keep you from receiving God’s blessing. Forgiving yourself is not about ignoring what happened, but about accepting God’s grace, learning from your mistakes, and moving forward in freedom. Jesus paid the debt for your sins so you could be free from condemnation. None of us are worthy on our own, but Christ’s sacrifice makes us worthy to receive His love and blessing. Stop rehearsing your failures and start embracing the forgiveness that is already yours in Christ. [32:16]

Proverbs 24:16 (ESV)
“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.”

Reflection: What is one past mistake you need to release to God today, trusting that His grace is enough and you are forgiven?

Day 5: The Comeback: God’s Blessing Is Worth the Struggle

No matter how long you’ve been losing or how many times you’ve been counted out, God specializes in comebacks. The world may have given up on you, but God has not. The blessing for the meek is not based on how the game started, but on how it ends—with God’s victory. Your struggle, heartbreak, and pain are not wasted; God is working behind the scenes for your good. Trust that your blessing is coming, and it will be worth every trial you’ve endured. [21:45]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Reflection: Where in your life have you felt counted out or defeated, and how can you renew your hope that God is not finished with your story?

Sermon Summary

Pride can be a subtle trap, luring us into believing that our own wisdom and strength are enough. Yet, Jesus calls us to a different way: the way of meekness. Meekness is not weakness; it is the absence of pretension, a refusal to act out of malice or vengeance. In a world that often rewards shrewdness and domination, Jesus teaches that true strength is found in humility and gentleness. The meek are those who do not need to prove themselves, who can stand for truth without resorting to violence or manipulation. They are wise as serpents but gentle as doves, stirring up “good trouble” by confronting injustice with humility and courage.

The promise of inheriting the earth is not for those who grasp for power or retaliate in anger, but for those who trust God enough to let go of their need for control. This trust is not passive; it is active, requiring self-control and the wisdom to remove ourselves from temptation. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing we can do is to set boundaries, to remove ourselves from situations or relationships that continually lead us astray. Meekness involves accountability—being honest with ourselves about our weaknesses and allowing others to speak truth into our lives.

Failure is inevitable, but it does not disqualify us from God’s blessing. The righteous may fall seven times, but they rise again. God does not hold our past against us, and we must learn to forgive ourselves as He has forgiven us. Clinging to shame and regret only keeps us from receiving the inheritance God has prepared. The table of the Lord is set for those who know they are unworthy, yet come in faith, trusting in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.

Ultimately, our blessing is not based on our performance, but on our dependence on Jesus. The meek inherit the earth because they know their need for God, they trust Him with their future, and they walk in the freedom of forgiveness. No matter how many times we have lost, God is able to bring about a comeback. What matters is not how the game started, but how it ends—and in Christ, the end is always victory for those who trust in Him.

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Key Takeaways

1. Meekness is Strength Under Control Meekness is not about being passive or weak; it is about having the strength to restrain oneself from pride, vengeance, or self-promotion. True meekness is the ability to stand for what is right without resorting to the tactics of the world—violence, manipulation, or domination. It is the quiet confidence that comes from knowing God is your defender and provider, allowing you to let go of the need to prove yourself. [06:02]
2. Wisdom and Gentleness Must Go Together Jesus calls us to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves, combining discernment with humility. Wisdom without gentleness can become oppressive, while gentleness without wisdom can be naïve. The power of the gospel is seen when believers confront injustice and falsehood with both courage and compassion, stirring up “good trouble” that leads to real change without compromising Christlike character. [13:19]
3. Set Boundaries to Protect Your Walk Self-control is not just about willpower; it is about wisely removing temptations and setting up your life for spiritual success. Jesus Himself modeled this by limiting the enemy’s access and teaching us to pray for deliverance from temptation. Sometimes, the most faithful thing you can do is to unfriend, block, or walk away from people and situations that continually pull you away from God’s best. [25:09]
4. Forgive Yourself as God Has Forgiven You Holding onto past failures and shame will keep you from receiving God’s blessing. If God has cast your sins into the depths of the sea, you have no business diving back in to retrieve them. Forgiving yourself is not about ignoring your mistakes, but about accepting God’s grace, learning from the past, and moving forward in freedom. [32:16]
5. Your Inheritance is Based on Christ, Not Your Performance None of us are worthy in ourselves to receive God’s promises; our righteousness is as filthy rags. The Lord’s table is open to those who know they are unworthy, yet trust in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Our blessing and inheritance come not from what we have done, but from what Jesus has done for us—so we can boldly walk in the freedom and victory He has secured. [35:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:31] - The Parable of the Proud Frog
[06:02] - The Meaning of Meekness
[06:43] - Wisdom and Gentleness: Serpents and Doves
[07:00] - The Dangers of Deception and False Encouragement
[09:56] - The Cost of Oppression and the Promise to the Meek
[12:32] - Jesus: The Model of Meekness
[13:19] - Stirring Up Good Trouble with Humility
[14:35] - Don’t Let Others Steal Your Promise
[16:54] - God’s Setups and Comebacks
[18:32] - The Football Game Illustration: Never Count God Out
[21:08] - The Blessing is at the End
[22:29] - What Makes a Person Meek?
[23:05] - Removing Temptation and Setting Boundaries
[27:40] - Accountability and Honest Self-Assessment
[31:05] - Rising After Failure and Forgiving Yourself
[34:07] - Freedom in Christ and the Lord’s Table
[36:20] - Christ’s Sacrifice and Our Inheritance
[37:11] - Blessed Because of Dependence on God

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:5 (ESV) — > “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Matthew 10:16 (ESV) — > “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Proverbs 24:16 (ESV) — > “For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 5:5, who does Jesus say will inherit the earth, and what does the word "meek" mean in this context?
According to Matthew 10:16, what two qualities does Jesus tell his followers to have, and why do you think he pairs them together?
In Proverbs 24:16, what is the difference between the righteous and the wicked when they fall?
The sermon described meekness as “the absence of pretension, a refusal to act out of malice or vengeance.” What are some examples from the sermon or your own life where this kind of meekness was shown? [[06:02]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Meekness is not weakness; it is the absence of pretension, a refusal to act out of malice or vengeance.” Why is it important to understand the difference between meekness and weakness? How does this change the way we see Jesus and his followers? [[06:02]]
Jesus tells us to be “wise as serpents and gentle as doves.” What does it look like to combine wisdom and gentleness in real-life situations, especially when facing injustice or conflict? [[13:19]]
The sermon talks about setting boundaries and removing temptations as a way to practice self-control. Why might this be more effective than just trying harder not to sin? [[25:09]]
The message says, “Failure is inevitable, but it does not disqualify us from God’s blessing.” How does this truth affect the way we view our past mistakes and God’s forgiveness? [[31:05]]

Application Questions

The sermon warns about the subtle trap of pride and the need to let go of the desire to prove ourselves. Are there areas in your life where you feel the need to prove your worth or defend your reputation? How can you practice meekness in those situations this week? [[04:31]]
Jesus calls us to be both wise and gentle. Think of a recent conflict or difficult conversation you had. Looking back, did you lean more toward wisdom or gentleness? How could you have balanced both? [[13:19]]
The sermon suggests that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to set boundaries or remove yourself from tempting situations. Is there a relationship, habit, or environment that you need to set a boundary with right now? What practical step can you take this week? [[25:09]]
The message says, “Meekness involves accountability—being honest with ourselves about our weaknesses and allowing others to speak truth into our lives.” Who in your life can you invite to hold you accountable, and what would that look like? [[27:40]]
The sermon encourages us to forgive ourselves as God has forgiven us. Is there a past mistake or regret that you are still holding onto? What would it look like to accept God’s forgiveness and move forward in freedom? [[32:16]]
The promise of inheriting the earth is for those who trust God enough to let go of control. What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God with the outcome? How can you surrender that to Him this week? [[37:11]]
The message says, “What matters is not how the game started, but how it ends—and in Christ, the end is always victory for those who trust in Him.” How does this perspective encourage you in a current struggle or setback? [[21:08]]

Sermon Clips

If the promise is for the meek, you don't want anybody big enough in your life to cause you to miss out on your promise. Some folk you gotta just say to yourself or even say to them, I'm not missing my problem, my promise, because of you. I'm not missing my promise because you my problem. I'm not losing my peace because of you. I'm not losing my joy because of you. I'm not losing my mind because of you. Because I have one who is the author and the finisher of my faith. And I want to keep the pen in his hand and let him offer everything there is about me. [00:14:37] (43 seconds) #ProtectYourPromise

He'll wait until it looks like everybody has turned their attention off of your television broadcast. Your marriage, given up on your health. That's why he stayed dead three days, so everybody could count God out and count Jesus. But the gospel is on the third day, after everybody had given up hope, the third day, after everybody had emptied the stadium, on the third day, God raised him. The meek. Even if they've been losing the whole game. [00:19:36] (81 seconds) #ResurrectionAfterDefeat

Because here's what I love about any. The score was the entire game. What matters is what the score is at the end. They don't discount your win just because you were losing all of the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter, and up until the end of the fourth quarter. No, you win as long as at the end. And somebody in here saying, I've been losing for a long time, losing for years, losing for months. But just you wait. Cause God's got a blessing for you. And your blessings going to be worth your struggle, your trouble, your heartbreak and your pain. Tell somebody I'm blessed. [00:20:58] (57 seconds) #VictoryAtTheEnd

A study found that the way most people are able to successfully resist temptation is by removing the temptation. According to a study by the American Psychological association, training self control through repeated practice does not result in generalized improvements in self control. So we can stop beating ourselves up for always messing up when what we're messing up with keeps on staying in our lives. [00:23:29] (30 seconds) #RemoveTemptationToWin

Stop beating yourself up over something that happened 10 years ago, 15 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago in high school. Scared to go to your high school reunion 30 years later because people may remember the mistake you made 30 years ago. If God has thrown it into the bottom of the sea, why in the world are you trying to snorkel and skydive on into the ground, into the ocean? Why are you down there trying to deep sea dive to pull up your past? If God doesn't remember it, why are you trying to recall it? Tell somebody. Forgive yourself. [00:31:26] (45 seconds) #ForgiveYourPast

Being stuck on your past mistakes will cause you to miss your blessing. Forgive yourself. Stop trying to beat yourself up when Jesus already paid the debt for you. Stop looking at him and say, getting down off that cross and hang me up there instead. He did it because he loved you so you could be free from it. None of us are perfect, so no, none of us can judge you. Just let it go. [00:32:11] (27 seconds) #LetGoToReceive

``Jesus set up this table and the only ones who are worthy to sit at it are the ones who aren't. You missed it. The only ones who are worthy to sit in it are the ones who really aren't. We have been made worthy because of his blood. That's why we don't ask you your credentials before the Lord's Supper. That's why we don't ask you how you're doing at your job and your work appraisal before you partake in the Lord's Supper. That's why we don't ask you how many times you prayed this week. Did you make it to Bible study before you partake in the Lord's Supper? Because none of us are deserving of the Supper. He did it because we could not do it. He did it because we could not make it. He did it because we are imperfect. He is inviting us because we could never be worthy enough. He's the only worthy Lamb of God, and he has decided to make a way for us. [00:35:15] (65 seconds) #WorthyBecauseOfGrace

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