MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7

Isn't a Christian supposed to be meek? Yes, but meekness is not weakness. There's a big difference. Meekness means "strength under control."

Picture a wild horse that has been broken and is now tamed. That horse still has as much power as when he was wild, but now that power is bottled up for the master's use.

Only two people in the Bible were called meek: Jesus and Moses. Neither of them were weaklings or pushovers. They were strong men of conviction.

God doesn't expect you to just cave in every time somebody wants to manipulate you or control you. What would you do if someone asked you to do something immoral or illegal or unreasonable?

You'd say no! For a Christian, "no" is not an offensive word. It's OK to say "no." In fact, it's necessary from time to time.

The Bible tells us to say "yes" when we mean yes, and "no" when we mean no. It doesn't tell us we need to feel guilty about doing so. It doesn't say we have to make excuses for our decisions.

2 Timothy 1:7 gives us the answer: "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

That's the way God wants you to deal with people —in power (confidence), in love (focusing on their needs), and in self-control. God's Spirit doesn't make us timid.

He doesn't turn us into weaklings. The Lord wants you to be strong and firm in your convictions.

Prayer: Lord, help me rid my heart of timidity.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-7