6 / 16
The Amish Voice 6
c. Meekness has strong self-control. The meek person
controls his spirit and mind. He controls the lusts of his
flesh. He does not give way to ill-temper, retaliation,
passion, indulgence, or license. The meek person dies to
himself, to what his flesh would like to do, and he does
the right thing—exactly what God wants done.
In summary, the meek man walks in a humble, tender, but
strong state of mind; he denies himself, giving utmost
consideration to others. He shows a control and righteous anger
against injustice and evil. A meek man forgets and lives for
others because of what Christ has done for him.
God is meek.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law” (Ga. 5:22-
23).
Jesus Christ was meek.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls” (Mt. 11:29).
Believers are to be meek.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which
are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be
tempted” (Ga. 6:1).
9. There is the fruit of temperance: to master and control the
body or the flesh with all of its lusts. It means self-control,
the master of desire, appetite and passion, especially sensual
urges and cravings. It means to be strong and controlled and
restrained. It means to stand against the lust of the flesh and
the lust of the eye and the pride of life (1 Jn.2:15-16).
Self-control is of God, a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering,
gentleness,
goodness,
faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no
law” (Ga.5:22-23).
The believer is to proclaim self-control to the lost.
“And as he reasoned of righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come, Felix
trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this
time; when I have a convenient season, I will call
for thee” (Ac.24:25).
The believer is to control his sexual desires.
“But if they cannot contain [control], let them
marry: for it is better to marry than to burn” (1
Co.7:9).
The believer is to strenuously exercise self-control, just
as an athlete controls himself.
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is
temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1
Co.9:25).
The believer is to grow in self-control.
“And to knowledge temperance; and to
temperance
patience;
and
to
patience
godliness” (2 Pe.1:6).
The aged believer is especially to be on guard to control
himself.
“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate,
sound in faith, in charity, in patience” (Tit.2:2).
In concluding our discussion, we should remember that the
fruit of the Spirit is the very nature of God (Ga.2:20; Ep.5:18).
The believer is to walk in the Spirit; that is, he is to walk in
such a consciousness of God and in such open confession that
he is kept constantly clean from sin. God keeps him clean and
pure and acceptable as though he were perfect. As the believer
so walks in such an awareness of God, he assimilates the very
nature of God and the Holy Spirit’s fruit is produced. No law
can stand against such things.
QUESTIONS:
1. What are some specific qualities of the “fruit of
meekness”?
2. What challenges do you face when you need to possess
the fruit of meekness? In what ways can you overcome
these challenges?
QUESTIONS:
What is the secret to having temperance or self-
control as a part of your character?
Which trait of the fruit of the Spirit would others say
is the strongest in your life? Why?
Which trait of the fruit of the Spirit would others say
is the least noticed in your life? What things can you
do to improve this trait in your life?
Are you comfortable with the quality of fruit being
produced in your life? Why or why not?
If the fruit which is being produced in your life were