How To Be Humble and Meek:
Christian Maturity
Through the Beatitudes – Lesson 2

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~Matthew 5:3

how to be humble and meek man looking out of window

As a Christian, have you ever wondered what it meant to be meek or how to be humble.

In our society, these are things that are not only undervalued, but typically seen as weaknesses.

But, in the Beatitudes, Jesus includes both humility and meekness in His description of a mature Christian. We learned in Lesson 1 that each of these character traits comes with a promise – True happiness and contentment.

So, let's find out how to develop meekness and humility in your life.

Humility: The Poor In Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.-Matthew 5:3

Now, we would all like to be inheritors of the Kingdom of heaven. But who want to be poor in spirit?

What does it mean anyways - Poverty stricken? Depressed?

No. It means neither.

The Amplified translation of the Bible describes Christians who are poor in spirit as “the humble, who rate themselves insignificant” (Matthew 5:3 –AMP).

Uh oh. This is definitely not what the world teaches!

Most people in our society have forgotten how to be humble. They have begun to rate themselves, their needs, and their feelings, as more significant than anyone else’s. In fact, for many, their lives literally revolve around them.

Someone hurt their feelings. Their problem is because someone else failed them. People don’t treat them fairly.

They develop a total victim mentality because they think everyone owes them something. Those who do not meet their needs are obviously the ones who are wrong – It could not be them.

Stand in a long checkout line or wait in a crowded restaurant, and the fact that most people do not know how to be humble will become painfully clear. The needs, feelings, or problems of those around them are of no significance. They want what they want.

And they want it now!

So, why does the kingdom of heaven belong to the humble?

Because, when you humble yourself and put the needs of other’s before your own, it is then God’s responsibility to take care of you. He will give you favor with Him and with man (Proverbs 3:3-5).

He will step in and clothe you in true honor, instead of this world’s empty pride.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.- Proverbs 29:23

Our society has created an "every man for himself" and "me first" mentality. But, do you still esteem others greater than yourself (Philippians 2:3). Or have you too bought in to the idea that your own wellbeing is more important than everyone else’s.

Ask God to show you how to be humble, so that He Himself can exalt you.

Does Meek Mean Weak?

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.- Matthew 5:5

how to be humble and meek woman yelling into phone Meekness is not something that our world understands. In fact, when I looked up meek in the world’s dictionary it gave me definitions like not having spirit or courage. But, being meek actually takes a lot more courage than you would think.

The Amplified further explains a meek Christian as someone who is “mild, patient, (and) long-suffering” (Matthew 5:5 –AMP)

It means you are full of patience and peace. You have peace in the midst of your patience because you know that God is always working on your behalf. In situations where others would simply erupt, you maintain your cool.

You are never quick to retaliate or try to get even. When people offend, or in some way wrong a mature Christian, they pray for God to forgive the offender.

But I say, love your enemies!
Pray for those who persecute you!
In that way,
you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.
-Matthew 5:44, 45 (NLT)

Why should you pray for the people that hurt you? Because they have no clue who they are messing with. They don’t know that they have just come against a child of the Living God!

Out of the love that God has put in your heart, pray for their salvation and protection. They are going to need it.

Dear friends, never take revenge.
Leave that to the righteous anger of God.
For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge;
I will pay them back," says the Lord
- Romans 12:19 (NLT)

Let's Set The Record Straight!

Meekness does not mean that you are quiet and squirrelly. Jesus was neither of those, and He described Himself as meek (Matthew 11:29). But, even as they were murdering Him, He prayed that God would forgive them because they did not know who they were messing with (Luke 23:34).

How do you react when people wrong you? Do you throw a pity party, lash out, or even think up ways to teach them what happens when people mistreat you? Allow your Father to vindicate you, and you will find happiness and peace in your circumstance.

How To Be Humble and Meek

Reflection Questions

1. Were the definitions of humble and meek that you wrote last lesson accurate? Would you add anything to them/take anything away?

2. Have you already mastered how to be humble, or are you sometimes guilty of putting your own desires and feelings above everyone else's? If so, pray now and ask God to work on your heart in that area.

3. How do you usually react when someone wrongs you? If it is not with meekness, what are some ways that you can start to respond God's way?

4. Were you shocked by anything you learned today. If so, take a second to write down what you learned so that you will not forget it.

A large part of how to be humble and meek is learning how to forgive. But, before you can forgive others, you have to truly receive the forgiveness that God has for you in Christ Jesus.

Learn how to see yourself as Jesus describes in the Beatitudes - "Pure in heart".

Christian Maturity Through the Beatitudes

Lesson 1: Jesus paints a picture of spiritual maturity
Lesson 2: The power in humility and meekness
Lesson 3: Receiving God's Forgiveness
Lesson 4: Learning How to Forgive
Lesson 5: Final Keys to Christian Spiritual Growth

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How To Be Humble and Meek: Christian Maturity Through the Beatitudes – Lesson 2