“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.”

Not everything that looks like meekness is true meekness. Jesus was “gentle and lowly in heart,” but His gentleness was never passive, never shallow, and never compromising.

That’s why we must learn to recognize the counterfeits:

• Passiveness avoids responsibility and hard conversations under the guise of humility.
• Outwardness Only focuses on appearances, masking bitterness or pride.
• Willingness to Compromise sacrifices conviction to avoid conflict and preserve harmony.

Jesus was never passive—He acted with purpose. He wasn’t outwardly polished while inwardly bitter—He was pure in heart. He didn’t compromise truth—He stood firm with love.

True meekness is strength under the Spirit’s control. It discerns when to speak, when to act, and when to remain silent—not out of fear, but out of trust in God’s sovereignty.

As you grow in meekness, be a careful gardener. Pull the weeds. Let the true fruit flourish.

Identify and uproot one “weed” of counterfeit meekness today:
Look for a situation where you are tempted to stay passive, appear polished, or compromise truth. Choose instead to act in authentic meekness—bold yet gentle, truthful yet loving.

Lord Jesus, You are gentle and lowly in heart. Teach me to walk as You walked—not in counterfeit meekness, but in true strength under the Spirit’s control. Help me see where passiveness, performance, or compromise have shaped me. Pull those weeds from my heart. Grow in me the kind of meekness that honors You and blesses others. In Your name, Amen.