June 21

Read: I Corinthians 9:19-22 The Spirit… produces in human life fruits such as … adaptability (Galatians 5:22, Phillips).

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Meekness

The meekness that the Spirit gives is not mousiness. To a “Mr. Milquetoast,” the Holy Spirit is more likely to give courage. God always seeks to bring wholeness and balance to our lives.

The meekness which is the fruit of the Spirit is a disposition to adapt myself to other persons for the sake of the gospel. The last phrase is important. I may adapt because I am afraid to cross another person, or because I have no principles for which I would give my life. Christian meekness is the will to let the other fellow have his way if I can thereby avoid un-Christlike tensions.

Most of my own occasions for Spirit-nurtured meekness come at the point of differences with good men; we are both trying to do God’s work but differences in temperament and training incline us to follow different paths. Christian adaptability may lead me to go my brother’s way. Or it may constrain me to help him with his labors even while I continue to do the work of God according to my own best judgment.

Sometimes in the spirit of Jesus we must adjust to the ignorance of others — and do so without a feeling of superiority. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). At other times meekness is accepting the unfairness of evil men, “if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (H Timothy 2:25).

Paul could testify, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” Waiving personal rights was Paul’s daily Christian practice. How often is it mine?

Prayer For Today

Dear Lord, give me more of this grace today. Let the fruit of meekness be nurtured in me by Thy Holy Spirit. Amen.