The fruit of the spirit are forces of your re-created human spirit. They're in you if you're born again, and their purpose is to give you victory in every area of your life.

Many individuals, and most pastors, don't have trouble understanding how fruit like love, patience and faithfulness give us victory—but what about the fruit of meekness?

With all the talk these days about self-assertiveness, most of us associate meekness with weakness. In fact, we think of a person who won't fight for his own rights as a pushover!

Let's Get It Straight
But the force of meekness is not weakness!

Jesus described Himself as "meek," but He was hardly a pushover. Jesus walked on earth in power. He walked in love, in humility, in gentleness with the people and in perfect obedience.

He was humble before God. Jesus never fought for His own rights. He didn't have to. He had the infinite resources of God at His disposal.

The fruit of meekness or gentleness is mildness of temper, gentleness, and mildness in dealing with others. It is a submissiveness of spirit which does not lift up itself against opposition, but bends like a reed before the storm.

It's a temper of spirit that enables us to accept God's dealings with us without resisting or arguing.

Like love, "meekness doesn't seek its own. It doesn't demand its own rights or its own ways" (1 Cor. 13:4-5 AMP). It's the opposite of self-assertiveness because it's not occupied with self at all.

The fruit of meekness is a powerful spiritual force. Therefore, the next time someone opposes you or opposses your church, don't fight back. A soft answer turns away wrath. Yield to the fruit of meekness. Remember, "the meek shall inherit the earth!"

Excerpt permission granted by
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka:  Kenneth Copeland Ministries