Meek

The author starts off this chapter by explaining what meekness does not mean. It is typically identified as weakness and a meek person would be looked at as spineless or unassertive. However, this is not what Jesus was describing when mentioning meekness.  

Bridges lets the reader know that he is using meekness in this chapter to describe responses towards people who have wronged us and to difficult adversities God brings into our lives. He specifically focuses on “responsiveness to His Word” and “submission to His providence.” 

Bridges first focuses on the responsiveness to His Word. He makes the statement that what he has observed is that there a lot of knowers of God’s word but not many doers. It is easy to go to church and agree with a sermon being preached or nod along during a bible study, but to leave and apply what was taught is a different story.  

Instead of applying scripture we tend to look on at other people who commit more “flagrant” sins. We compare ourselves to other people rather than being committed to obeying God. However, the “meek person earnestly desires the Spirit to use His Word to effect a deep change in his or her inner being.” 

Bridges concludes the section by reminding us that to be meek you must first be poor in spirit, understanding our helplessness apart from God, and then mourning over his sin before one will want to be responsive to God’s Word. 

Next Bridges discusses the submission to His providence. He first discusses what providence is. Providence is essentially being in control of everything. Since God is infinitely provident, He is infinitely in control (Isaiah 14:27, Daniel 14:35, James 4:13-15). God does what He wills and we cannot alter or change that. 

Understanding this means that during every event of our life we understand that God is in control. Since God is also infinitely good, that means everything He wills is for our good, including our adversities. Because it is all for our good, we ought to be thankful, knowing that everything is for our good. 

Bridges recalls a time when he was facing adversity. When praying for the adversity to subside he was reminded that everything God does is for our good. Therefore, Bridges states that he understood that by facing this adversity it gave him a better opportunity to know God and grow closer to Him more than if he didn’t face adversity. 

Bridges then moves on to showing meekness towards other people. First he focuses on bearing of injuries. Examples of this are showing meekness towards those who speak unjust criticism or slander. We are to not react or resent those who wrong us but instead forgive and give over everything to God.  

The second area Bridges mentions regarding showing meekness towards people is forgiving the injuries or sins of others. The best way to forgive is by recalling how much God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). Bridges adds, “If we are comfortable in our decent lifestyle because we do not commit the flagrant sins of our society, and if we do not see much need for continual forgiveness, then we are not likely to readily forgive others when they sin against us.” 

Forgiveness is not an option. We must forgive, but we also ought to be motivated by the truth that we have been forgiven so much. Bridges points to Philemon 1:8-9 where Paul tells Philemon that he essentially is commanded to forgive, but instead he appeals to him. In other words, “Paul wants Philemon to want to do what he must do.” 

The third area that Bridges mentions is returning good for evil. Instead of returning slander for slander we ought to show love through word and/or action. If we have been wronged we must not seek revenge or respond in a way that tears down the other person(s). This of course includes gossiping about the other person to friends or family.  

Bridges concludes the chapter recapping the different ways we can show meekness and how humility must be involved to have meekness. It takes humility to accept God is in control of our circumstances and we ought to accept adversity as being a gift from Him. It takes humility to be convicted and admit when one is wrong. And it takes humility to repay evil with good. 

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