Blessed are the meek

This article was originally posted by Diego Gomes and can be read, along with many other pieces, at his blog site diegogomes.blog

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” —  Matthew 5:5.

We live in a culture that idolizes strength, success, control, and power. But Jesus—always countercultural—tells us that it is the meek who are the true heirs. At first, this may not seem to make sense.

We’ve been shaped by movies where the hero is the strongest, and by a culture that glorifies physical might—even justifying violence when the ends supposedly “justify” the means.

Yet history has shown us that some of the greatest figures embodied meekness and peace in the face of adversity. Mahatma Gandhi, through nonviolent resistance, played a major role in India’s path to independence. Martin Luther King Jr., with his nonviolent message and mobilizing leadership, became the cornerstone of the U.S. civil rights movement and is still celebrated as a legend.

While these and other great men and women modeled meekness, only Jesus Christ offered new birth and the Holy Spirit as the source of a true transformation from the inside out.

Our greatest example of meekness is Christ Himself. Jesus didn’t just act meek—He is the very definition of meekness and humility. This is how He described Himself:

“…learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29.

Jesus was neither passive nor indifferent. He never responded with violence, yet He was firm without being harsh. Jesus spoke truth in love, corrected with grace, confronted with tears—because gentleness was His nature. He led without manipulation, because He did not lead from insecurity or selfishness, but from love.

In Jesus’ time, Israel expected a warrior Messiah—someone to deliver them from Rome by the sword. But Jesus came with a greater mission: to establish a Kingdom within us:

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”Romans 14:17.

Meekness, contrary to popular belief, is not weakness. It is strength under control. Only when the Holy Spirit tames our instincts can the nature of Christ overcome the nature of Adam in us.

In Latin, the word meek comes from mansuetudo, which literally means: “accustomed to the hand.” Like a once-wild animal that, having been tamed, learns to trust the caretaker’s touch. That’s what meekness is: allowing God’s hand to shape our reactions, our speech, our very way of life.

In a world that values aggressiveness, self-promotion, and the right to retaliate, Jesus calls us to the opposite lifestyle: meekness. Maybe as you read this, you’re thinking, “But I’m naturally reactive—I’m great at winning arguments!”

The truth is: personality is not the biblical standard for behavior—Jesus is. And personality is no excuse for character flaws, because we have the Holy Spirit alive within us, transforming us daily.

Meekness is part of the fruit of the Spirit, which means we can live in that reality through the Spirit, regardless of our personality or past. All we need is the desire—because meekness is a mark of the new birth:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is… meekness…” Galatians 5:23.

It’s the Spirit who empowers us to silence the ego, choose love, and act with balance. He teaches us to walk like Jesus and live as children who trust the Father.

To be meek is not to be passive, but to know how to fight—and which battles are worth fighting. It’s not to abandon truth, but to choose how to communicate it. It’s not to erase yourself—but to offer yourself.

The promise for the meek is that Jesus will entrust them with places of authority—whether in this age or in the one to come. While political leaders shout their authority, and corporate power is often gained through ruthless competition—even in the Church, where power is sometimes seized—choose meekness.

True inheritance is not in political territories, but in surrendered hearts. The meek will not conquer the world by force—but will inherit it through surrender.

Are you reacting out of meekness—or out of instinct? Do your tone, your words, and your posture reveal more of the Spirit or the flesh? Reflect on this.

Today’s Prayer:

Jesus, I want to learn from You. Teach me to be meek as You are—to respond with gentleness, to correct with kindness, to lead by serving.Tame my reactions and form in me a heart like Yours. Amen.