Meekness Is Not Weakness

Acts 16:35-40

Mob actions are the result of allowing emotion to take over and almost always results in shame at the behavior when it is considered in the a right mind. It rejects all ordinary standards of behavior, destroying and harming others with no consideration, even by people who normally are very thoughtful of others. It is especially embarrassing to those who consider themselves fairly self controlled and logical.

“And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.” (Acts 16:35)

The fortuneteller’s masters had orchestrated the crowd’s anger by accusing Paul and Silas of Teaching the people to do things which would bring the Roman army against them and destroying their culture, when their only real complaint was that the girl would no longer make them a lot of money.

When the leaders stopped to consider what had happened, they were embarrassed by what had happened, and sent the offricers to release Paul and Silas so there wouldn’t be any charges brought against them. They were aware that the entire episode was illegal.

“But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.” (Acts 16:37)

When people have done wrong the sense of guilt causes them to try to hide it, just as Adam did in the Garden of Eden. Seemingly people think it’s okay if nobody sees it. The magistrates, who were responsible for maintaining law and order wanted to cover up what they had done and allowed to happen.

Filled with the Spirit, Paul would not allow them to conceal their sin. He demanded an acknowledgement that what had been done was wrong. This making people aware of their sin is a particular responsibility of the Holy Spirit’s, according to John 16:7-11. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

Part of the fruit of the Spirit is meekness. That means only that we do not put the emphasis on ourselves, that we are not proud and self centered. It does not mean we ignore sin. We can stand for what is right without being aggressive. Too much so called “assertiveness” is just selfishness. Paul did demand they take responsibility. In John 15:22, Jesus said that until the wrong was pointed out, the guilty could ignore their guilt, but afterward, they had to deal with it. “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.” By ignoring wrong doing, we tacitly approve it.

The church at Corinth were proud of their spirituality in overlooking the sin of the man who was committing adultery with his fathers wife. I Corinthians 5:2 stated they should have been ashamed instead. “And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” In effect, they were approving the activity, and as I Corinthians 5:6 states, the sin will spread. “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” We can not condone sin and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

“And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.” (Acts 16:38-39)

When led by the Spirit, our approach will not be prideful, and thus, less confrontational, with the result that most people will recognize and acknowledge what has happened. As Proverbs 15:21 states, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” A quiet and meek spirit is the hallmark of a spirit filled person.

“And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.” (Acts 16:40)

The meek and quiet spirit the Holy Spirit produce is demonstrated by Paul and Silas leaving the city when requested to do so. They could have used the illegal actions as an excuse to refuse, but they did not. They were concerned that the Christians know they were okay, but they did not force themselves on the city, simply leaving as the Lord commanded when people refuse to hear.

In the Epistle to the Philippians, Paul refers to some the adversaries they faced, and stresses the need for a Spiritual walk, describing the attitude which will result. We have no clear idea how long Paul spent in Philippi.