Shadows
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. -- Proverbs 14:12 NKJV
There is a confidence that is better than a meekness. Meekness and confidence of the world are like oil and water. Meekness and confidence of Christ blend.
Meekness and a Shadow of Meekness
There is a meekness born out of care and respect for other people and a fear of the Lord. Not a lack of strength, but rather intentionally laying it down for others.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, -- Philippians 2:3 NIV
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." -- 1 Peter 5:5 NIV
When you lay down your own strength, and lower your own defenses, you become vulnerable to any worldly attacks; real or imagined. You lower the frail worldly defenses that protect you from all those things that might assault your pride: arguments, excuses, lies, bluster, bragging, etc. And, you no longer are tempted to deflect any negative attention on anyone else; letting go of gossip, slander, pointing out faults, deflecting blame, and the like. So, to remain in this state of biblical meekness, you have to fully trust God to be your protector and provider -- because, you need it. You need protecting, it's okay to admit that fact. The trouble is you can either protect yourself or let God. If you let God it frees you to focus your heat outward since you are no longer looking inward to protect yourself.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. -- Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You may have guessed about worldly meekness; it's born of insecurity. We can wrongly think that that this meekness is good when we see it. But, meekness born of humility is not the same as that born of insecurity. One focuses outward and the other inward. One frees and one enslaves. One is trust and the other a defense against threats. And the tragedy of it all is that the person who is meek because they are insecure, often didn't get there all by themselves; they had help. People can tear other people down so far! And the person who is only trying to protect themselves may have a hard time seeing how inwardly focused their thoughts are. They won't see themselves a selfish. And, it's not necessarily all their fault the extent they may be.
Yet, it is very important to realize that a quiet reserved apparent humility that doesn't esteem others, but rather is a shield against attention may be false humility. Of course, our emotions and motivations are more complex than a simple either/or situation. Just test your own heart as you put on humility to ensure that you are looking towards the welfare of others and are being vulnerable rather than guarded.
Confidence and a Shadow of Confidence
There is a confidence that comes from trust and reliance on God. Not a reliance on strength, attributes, or ability. Especially, not on some personal level of righteousness. Rather, it relies on the righteousness Jesus placed on us by his work on the cross. Confidence not in me; in Him.
The Bible is full of people who are successful by relying on God alone. One strong example is Moses. He led the Israelites out of captivity, across the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for 40 years. Yet, he was not skilled at speaking. Nevertheless, God prepared him and went before him. Was he not bold and confident before Pharaoh?
Moses said to the Lord, "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the
Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." -- Exodus 4:10-12 NIV
A confidence that comes from a trust in God is a confidence well placed. You can rest in the knowledge that He is faithful. You can stand tall knowing that God is with you. You don't have to walk timid before other people. You don't have to live in fear that you aren't good enough. These things are not what he wants. He wants you to trust in Him; to really trust. To know that he is stronger than any enemies you may have.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? -- Romans 8:31 NIV
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. -- Psalm 91:1-4 NIV
A worldly confidence is built on pride and trust in your own strength, skills, abilities, and possessions. Examine your confidence! Is it born from faith in God. Or do you find confidence in your skills and strengths? What about your bank account or retirement account? What about a confidence in how you see your righteousness before God?
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. -- Proverbs 16:18 NIV
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to
heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." -- Luke 18:11-14 NIV
There is no worldly thing that will not fade away, so don't put your trust in them. Trust instead on that which is trustworthy.
Shadows for Light
It's easy to mistake shadows for light and end up standing in darkness. To seem meek and not be in truth. To avoid a confidence that is right. Or even think you are humble but in reality you are prideful. Examine yourselves and the very depths of your motives and the source of your heart. Wherever you are at, look inward and deeper.