Blessed Are the Tamed (Santosh Poonen)

Understanding Meekness: Meek (“praus” in Greek) means: humble, gentle, lowly; like a wild animal that has been tamed by its master. The difference between earthly and heavenly wisdom is the quality of meekness (James 3:7-18). Meekness is actively submitting to undesirable circumstances at the Master’s hand, knowing that it will eventually result in the greater good. Seeing Yourself as God Sees You: The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather, he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God’s estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is, in the sight of God, more important than angels… He knows well that the world will never see him as God sees him and he has stopped caring. (A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God) The Perfect Example of Being Tamed: Jesus was the first to be perfectly “tamed” and He calls us to walk with Him under the same yoke. If we are “tamed” with Him, we will get rest (Matthew 11:29). We enter God’s rest by resting from your own works. 1. The “Tamed” Regard Others as More Important: Philippians 2:3-4. This is what it means to “love unto the end” (John 13:1-15). Let the Holy Spirit tame you to assume the lowest place, and make you willing to do even the least desirable tasks. 2. The “Tamed” Do Not Grab: Philippians 2:6. Example: Abraham with Lot (Genesis 13:8-17); Moses with the people (Exod. 32:31-32; Numbers 12:3); David with Saul (I Samuel 24:6; 26:9-11). The world is only gathering what God will eventually give to those He has “tamed” (Ecclesiastes 2:26). Let the Holy Spirit tame you to give up your rights and let others pick first; in the end, you will receive everything from God’s hand. 3. The “Tamed” Live Gently with Others: Wives: your submission to your husband is a jewel that is precious in the sight of your Master (I Peter 3:1-6). Husbands: your living in an understanding way with your wife gives you power with your Master (I Peter 3:7-8). Let the Holy Spirit tame you to live in symphony with others, then you will be beautiful and powerful in God’s eyes. The Church is Built with the “Tamed”: God will remove the stiff-necked ones, and exult over the tamed remnant – His Church! (Zephaniah 3:11-17)