The Key to the Perfect Man/Woman!!

Bingo!! I've found it!!

I've just discovered the key to the perfect man!!

I'm studying James 3, and in a previous post, I was musing over the meaning of verse 2. "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body." And in the verses that follow, James pointed out that NO ONE is able to tame the tongue.

Anyhow, I continued reading chapter 3 and this phrase struck me - "the Meekness of Wisdom".

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." (v.13)

THAT'S THE KEY!! Wisdom is meekness, and meekness is the key to becoming the perfect people of God.

I then looked in my dictionaries to see what "meekness" meant. I discovered that the meek person is the one who is able to control his being including his tongue. So if we are meek, then we are perfect.

So then, we all should go on a "meekness" campaign, and start being meek. But uh-uh!! I just don't work like that!!!

Meekness is just something we humans can't do!! Human nature is naturally self-seeking, self-assertive and self-centered, the very opposite of meekness. So then, how can one attain meekness?

Anyhow, here's my summary from my study:

DEFINITION:
The Greek word for meekness is prautes, and is that disposition of spirit, toward God, in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.

A MEEK PERSON....
** is made that way through God's grace ... (No one can make himself meek... it is a work of the Spirit!);
** accepts God's dealings with him as good, without disputing or resisting;
** is wholly reliant on God rather than his own strength to defend him against injustice;
** does not fret when evil is done to him;
** knows that the injuries inflicted on him by evil people are permitted by God to refine his soul;
** knows that God will deliver him in His time;
** is not occupied with self at all, and not self-assertive or self-centered;
** trusts in God's goodness, knowing that He has control over the situation;
** is also humble and submissive;
** is not weak, but has an inner and perfectly controlled power;
** has evenness of temper that is neither elated or cast down;
** knows the right time to be angry, in the right measure, and for the right reason;
** is what Jesus was.

SOME SCRIPTURES ON MEEKNESS (from the NKJ, sometimes translated "gentleness"):

James 1:21-22
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

1 Peter 3:13-17
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Matt 11:29-30
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matt 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Matt 21:5
Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’

1 Pet 3:1-6
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

1 Cor 4:18-21
Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

2 Cor 10:1-6
Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Gal 6:1
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Eph 4:1-6
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Col 3:12-17
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

1 Tim 6:11-12
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Tim 2:24-26
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Tit 3:1-2
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

MY CONCLUSION:
It is God who does the work in us to make us meek, and He uses the trials of life to do that refining. It doesn't happen until we stop kicking against God! Until we stop complaining and fretting.

It happens when we start to "count it all joy when (we) fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of (our) faith produces patience." (James 1:2-3)

But, we must "let patience have it's perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:4)

And that PERFECT WORK IS MEEKNESS!!