Galatians 5:22,23 "... faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: ..."

As love, joy, peace, are particularly GOD-WARD and longsuffering, gentleness, goodness are MANWARD, so faith, meekness, temperance are INWARD. In the first part of the fruit, we express the Christ life to God. In the second part of the fruit, we express the Christ life to man. In the third part of the fruit, we express the Christ life inwardly. Whatever part of the fruit is expressed, is utterly dependent on Christ in us by the Spirit.

Faith is translated "faithfulness" by RV, NIV and NKJV. A parallel use of the word in Titus 2:10 (NKJV) translates it "fidelity." Jesus did express this faithfulness to God the Father and fidelity to the written Word, and so must we. The Greek word for faith here means more. It is "an inward and wholehearted confidence, assurance, trust, and reliance in God and all God says." The INNER CONFIDENCE of Jesus expressed in a life of prayer, showing His utter reliance and dependence on His Father. Further expressed in a life of perseverance in His Father's will. Confident reliance on what His Father said. This inner confidence and fidelity radiated forth a life of purity and holiness that was pleasing to His Father. In this confidence Jesus lived before others, worked the works of His Father, and faced and endured the cross.

Jesus expressed by example what His confidence and fidelity will produce in us. The fear of man will be replaced with this confidence in the Father's pleasure. The greater works will be wrought in confidence of Jesus in the Word. This confidence will remain in storm and trial and suffering.

It sees through the darkness into the light. Faith knows that God's zeal will accomplish that which man's zeal has failed to effect.

The Christian is able to endure as seeing Him who is invisible. The problem of children - occupation - business or church, cannot remove that inner confidence that God never makes a mistake - and what we cannot now understand will be made plain to us in God's time.

Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: ..."

Even when healing is delayed or gradual - confidence remains. The Christ imparted confidence and reliance enabled Paul to weather hardships and physical suffering. This inner confidence and fidelity is the basis for receiving and exercising power gifts of the Spirit. We need the inner disposition of His confidence and fidelity.

This Greek word may be defined as a disposition to be gentle, kind, and patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge. The following reference leaves us in no doubt that Christ evidenced this spirit of meekness.

Matthew 11:29 "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."

Matthew 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.' " (Note: "lowly" = "meek" in KJV.)

Isaiah 53:7 "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

Gentleness is the outward manifestation of the inner meekness. Meekness is the inner spiritual condition that created the gentleness. Meekness is strength, not weakness. The King of kings has no need of display of might and strength - His very strength is seen in His meekness. Christ before Pilate displayed tremendous power and strength - listening to lies, intrigue and illegality but remained silent. There is nothing of effeminacy about Christ's meekness. Men in the kingdom are expected to be manly. To look like men (1 Corinthians 11:14 ) and behave like men.

Christ's meekness is essential to every ministry.

Galatians 6:1 "... restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; ..."

An example in the ministry of Moses (Numbers 12 ) reveals the conspiracy of Miriam and Aaron. Miriam might have been an unknown slave girl married to a slave brickmaker and a mother of slaves. She was emancipated through the faith of her brother Moses. Now at 90 years she poisoned the mind of elder brother Aaron.

Numbers 12:3,13 "(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) 13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee."

A shepherd of the flock needs Christ's meekness. The ministry of restoration demands it.

The sinner has to be humbled by the truth of the Word to become saved.

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Meekness in the believer enables him to submit to the truth of:

John 15:5 "... for without Me you can do nothing."

Meekness submits to the truth of:

Hebrews 12:6 "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, ..."

Whether it be to preach in a revival, or to one in a desert, married or unmarried, full time or part time, meekness accepts God's plan even when Gethsemane and Calvary are included.

John 10:32,37 "... Many good works have I shewed you from my Father ;... 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."

We ask God to help, then claim the success. The meek man says, "Do not thank me, thank God." Meekness is not a cringing form of meek humility, but a frank admission that "the God of all grace" and the grace of God are behind all usefulness in life. Remember:

Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

2 Peter 1:6 "And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"

1 Corinthians 9:25 "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. ..."

The Bible word "temperance" means self-control and self-balance. It is possible for the Christian to be self-controlled because Christ was self-controlled. Temperance is literally a holding in with a firm hand, or control of self-life by means of the Spirit. Self-control exercised brings energy.

The athlete must deny himself many things that would keep him from doing his best. We must realise that self-control in all things is needed. We can EAT too much - DRINK too much - REST too much - even EXERCISE too much. To be at our physical best we must be self-controlled. Some hindrances to spiritual energy must be totally denied.

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

Rule your body, do not let your body rule you. This fruit of the Spirit enables the believer to deny the body the worldly lusts and appetites. Our bodies must be under the control of the Spirit, then we shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh we shall be energised for God's work.

We are established Christians by this balancing fruit of the Spirit. We become settled, properly orientated Christians. There is nothing unbalanced about Jesus. We readily see the need for balance of the body, to be at our best. This is just as essential for balance in the activities of the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. Some love Bible reading and neglect prayer. Some love praising God but fail to intercede; Or spend much time asking but never listening. Some enjoy fellowship, but never witnessing. There must be self-control - balance in the things of the Spirit.

Philippians 4:8,9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

Balance of mind requires good books - music - natural science. It is not a sin to think on other good things. Jesus illustrated from natural science. Here are a few examples He illustrated from knowledge of:

	The animal kingdom (Matthew 10:16 ).
	Agriculture(Matthew 19:24; John 15:1-5 ).
	Shepherding (John 10:1-16 ).
	Ornithology (Matthew 6:26 ).
	Meteorology (Matthew 16:2 ).

God is desirous of a balanced and orderly walk in every way for every believer. Under the control of the Spirit we will love what He loves. The fruit of self-control will make us energised and established Christians. There cannot be the perfect stature of Christ in us, without His inner beauty of Faith, Meekness and Self-control.

	Have you measured yourself lately?
	Do you fervently desire to be like Jesus?
	Are others commenting about the beauty of Jesus they see in you?