An article about the grave importance of MEEKNESS

Classic Article by David, first written October 6, 2015

Last Updated 9/20/17

"The meek and lowly are fortunate!

For the whole wide world belongs to them."

-Matthew 5:5 (TLB)

Meek

What does it mean?

English Definition of Meek:

Quiet,

gentle,

easily imposed on;

submissive.

Example Sentence:

"To be meek, patient, tactful, modest, honorable, brave, is not to be either manly or womanly; it is to be humane."

-Jane Ellen Harrison (1850 – 1928) British classical scholar, linguist and feminist.

Synonyms:

submissive,

yielding,

obedient,

compliant,

tame,

biddable,

tractable,

acquiescent,

humble,

deferential,

timid,

unprotesting,

unresisting,

like a lamb to the slaughter;

Antonyms: Assertive, pride, stubbornness

Grammar conjugations:

adverb: meekly

noun: meekness

adjective: meek

comparative adjective: meeker

superlative adjective: meekest

What does "meek" have to do with anything important?

You do know the seven deadly sins are;

lust,

gluttony,

greed,

sloth,

wrath,

envy,

&

pride... right?

The Seven Contrary Virtues

which are specific opposites to the Seven Deadly Sins:

Humility against pride,

Kindness against envy,

Temperance against gluttony,

Chastity against lust/perversion,

Patience against anger/wrath,

Charity against greed,

&

Diligence against sloth/lazyness.

______

God's people say "I respect CHASTITY to honor You my Lord..."

Chasity

Purity

(Sin) Lust

Virtue's Meaning - Chastity

Discretion of sexual conduct according to one's state in life; the practice of courtly love.

Cleanliness through cultivated good health and hygiene, and maintained by refraining from intoxicants. To be honest with oneself, one's family, one's friends, and to all of humanity.

Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieving purity of thought-through education and betterment. The ability to refrain from being distracted and influenced by hostility, temptation or corruption.

God's people say "I am and will remain eternally TEMPERANCE my Lord..."

______

Temperance

Humanity, abstinence, equanimity

(Sin) Gluttony

Virtue's Meaning - Temperance

Restraint, temperance, justice.

Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings; practicing self-control, abstention, moderation and deferred gratification.

Prudence to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time.

Proper moderation between self-interest, versus public-interest, and against the rights and needs of others.

______

God's people say "I fiercely and perilously live for Your glorious CHARITY my Lord..."

Charity

Will, benevolence, generosity, sacrifice

(Sin) Greed

Virtue's Meaning - Charity

Generosity, charity, self-sacrifice; the term should not be confused with the more restricted modern use of the word charity to mean benevolent giving.

In Christian theology, charity—or love (agäpé)—is the greatest of the three theological virtues.

Love, in the sense of an unlimited loving kindness towards all others, is held to be the ultimate perfection of the human spirit, because it is said to both glorify and reflect the nature of God. Such love is self-sacrificial.

Confusion can arise from the multiple meanings of the English word "love".

The love that is "caritas" is distinguished by its origin—being divinely infused into the soul—and by its residing in the will rather than emotions, regardless of what emotions it stirs up.

This love is necessary for salvation, and with it no one can be lost.

______

God's people say "I am perpetually, purposefully DILIGENCE in faith and works to You my Lord..."

Diligence

Persistence, effort, ethics

(Sin) Sloth

Virtue's Meaning - Diligence

A zealous and careful nature in one's actions and work; decisive work ethic, steadfastness in belief, fortitude, and the capability of not giving up.

Budgeting one's time; monitoring one's own activities to guard against laziness.

Upholding one's convictions at all times, especially when no one else is watching (integrity).

______

God's people say

"I am: graciously, vigorously, enthusiastically, eagerly, earnestly, PATIENCE because of You Jesus Christ my Lord..."

Virtue

Patience

Forgiveness, mercy, sufferance

(Sin) Wrath

Virtue's Meaning - Patience

Forbearance and endurance through moderation. Enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.

Resolving conflicts and injustice peacefully, as opposed to resorting to violence.

Accepting the grace to forgive; to show mercy to sinners. Creating a sense of peaceful stability and community rather thansuffering, hostility, and antagonism.

______

God's people say

"I explicitly express KINDNESS to all my brothers as set by Your perfect example in Christ my Lord..."

Virtue

Kindness

Satisfaction, compassion

(Sin) Envy

Virtue's Meaning - Kindness

Charity, compassion and friendship for its own sake. Empathy and trust without prejudice or resentment. Unselfish love and voluntary kindness without bias or spite. Having positive outlooks and cheerful demeanor; to inspire kindness in others.

______

God's people say "I aspire to be constantly and calculatingly HUMBLE my Lord..."

Virtue

Humility

Bravery, modesty, reverence

(Sin) Pride

Virtue's Meaning - Humility

Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. It is a spirit of self-examination; a hermeneutic of suspicion toward yourself and charity toward people you disagree with.

The courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved. Reverence for those who have wisdom and those who selflessly teach in love. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one's own self.

Being faithful to promises, no matter how big or small they may be. Refraining from despair. The ability to confrontfear and uncertainty, or intimidation.

Shared modified content on 9/28/15 at 1355

from wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues

The three Christain theological virtues are:

• Faith:

Belief in God, and in the truth of His revelation as well as obedience to Him (Rom 1:5:16:26)

• Hope:

Expectation of and desire of receiving; refraining from despair and capability of not giving up.

The belief that God will be eternally present in every human's life and never giving up on His love.

• Charity:

A supernatural virtue that helps us love God and our neighbors, more than ourselves.

These virtues are bestowed upon human beings during baptism (1 Tim 2:4 & Jn 3:5).

They help individuals grow in their relationship with God with each act they commit that exhibits one of these virtues.

—1 Tim 2:4 (Douay-Rheims Bible, 1582).

"[He] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

—Jn 3:5 (Douay-Rheims Bible, 1582).

"Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

They are referenced and qualified in the Bible at 1 Corinthians 13:13:

—Geneva Bible, 1560

"And now abideth faith, hope, and love, even these three: but the chiefest of these is love."

—New Living Translation, 2007

"Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love."

Shared modified content on 9/28/15 at 1744

from wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_virtues

Conclusion:

When Mathew 5:5 says "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." The 'earth' he is refering to is the New Earth, the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, where Christ-like people will live with God for eternity, for real.

Be meek now, and you will be the greatest in the Kingdom to come...

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