The Beatitudes & Attitudes
Matthew 5:3-12
December 6, 2025
The Beatitudes & Attitudes. Matthew 5:3-12.
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . Humility
2. Blessed are those that mourn . . . Repentance
3. Blessed are the Meek . . . Gentleness
4. Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness . . . Obedience
5. Blessed are the merciful . . . Forgiveness
6. Blessed are the pure in heart . . . Integrity
7. Blessed are the peacemakers . . . Reconciliation
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted . . . Courage
1. Introduction – Overview
Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
The word “Blessed” in the greek is “Makarios”, which means happy, fortunate and blissful. The term “makarios” is referred to in scripture as a happiness that comes from a deep inward contentment that ones life is right with God based on the new life he has created within us. It’s a happiness that comes from an inward attitude of gratitude not a condition predicated on assumed outward comforts.
The word “Gentle” is from greek work “Praos”, which basically means mild or soft. The term is often used to describe a soothing medicine or a soft breeze. As a human attitude it meant to be being gentle in spirit, quiet and tenderhearted . . . The essential difference between being poor in spirit and being meek, or gentle, may be that poverty in sprit focuses on our sinfulness, whereas meekness focuses on God’s holiness. The basic attitude of humility underlies both virtues. When we look honestly at ourselves, we are made humble by seeing how sinful and unworthy we are; when we look at God, we are made humble by seeing how righteous and worthy He is.” John MacArthur Commentary on Matthew page 170.
“Meekness is not weakness. Instead, meekness is being an unashamed fully armed Man of God, trained and ready to engage in all forms of spiritual warfare, yet unquestionably submissive to God’s high command to live life with a gentle and quiet spirit . . . until called to do differently.” D. Mike Collins
“Because of Christ we give off a sweet scent rising to God,
which is recognized by those on the way of salvation – an aroma redolent with life.”
2 Corinthians 2:15
2. Meekness is Strength Surrendered to God’s Control.
“Meekness means power put under control . . . “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city” Proverbs 16:32 . . . Emotion out of control also destroys, and has no place in God’s kingdom . . . Meekness is power completely surrendered to God’s control.” John MacArthur Commentary page 171.
James 1:20, “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
What types of situations cause you to get easily triggered?
When has your angered produced the desired results that you were looking for?
What scares you most about surrendering your control completely to God?
3. Meekness Doesn’t Seek A Self Defense
“Meekness is not cowardice or emotional flabbiness. It is not lack of conviction nor mere human niceness. But its courage, its strength, its conviction and its pleasantness come from God, not from self. The spirit of meekness is the spirit of Christ, who defended the glory of His Father, but gave himself in sacrifice for others . . . He twice cleansed the Temple by force; and he fearlessly uttered divine judgement on those who forsook and corrupted God’s Word. But Jesus did not once raise a finger or give a single retort in His own defense . . . Meekness is not weakness, but meekness does not use its power for its own defense of selfish purposes.” John MacArthur Commentary page 172.
1 Peter 2:21-23, “He committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
Daniel 3:16-18, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
When have you felt the need to defend yourself?
What scares you most about surrendering your self-defense completely to God?
4. Meekness Creates Calm In Relationships
Proverbs 19:11, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
“The meek person has died to self, and therefore does not worry about injury to himself, or about loss, insult, or abuse . . . Abraham willingly let Lot take whatever land he wanted, this giving up his right and prerogatives of the sake of his nephew, for the sake of harmony between their households, and for the sake of their testimony before “the Canaanite and the Perizzite who were dwelling in the land” Genesis 13:5-9. Those things were much more important to Abraham than standing up for his own rights. He had both the right and the power to do as he pleased in the matter, but in meekness he gladly waived his rights and laid aside his power.” John MacArthur Commentary page 172.
When have you willingly given up your rights for the sake of calm in a relationship?
What did you feel before during and after the exchange? Resentment? Relief?
What scares you most about giving up your rights for the sake of relational harmony?
5. Meekness Leads to an Inheritance
“After creating man in His own image, God gave man dominion over the whole earth, (Gen. 1:28). The subjects of HIs kingdom are going to come someday into that promised inheritance, largely lost and perverted after the Fall. Theirs will be paradise regained . . . Until then . . . Our responsibility is to trust the Lord and obey HIs will. The settling of accounts, whether in judgment or blessing, is in his hands and will be accomplished exactly in the right time and in the right way. In the meanwhile, God’s children live in faith and hope based on the certain promise, the divine pronouncement, that they shall inherit the earth.” John MacArthur Commentary page 174.
2 Timothy 2:11-12, “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.”
Revelations 5:10, ”And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
If you knew for certain you have an inheritance that large coming in the future, how might that change your outlook regarding the things you have today?
How can a guaranteed inheritance create a sense of calm in your daily walk?
What relationships will benefit the most from your being unflinchingly calm?
6. Meekness In Action: Jesus on Trial
Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.”
Matthew 27:12-14, “When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.”
Blessed are the Meek . . .
Philippians 2:5-11, “5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
. . . for they shall inherit the earth.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
What amazes you most about how Jesus reacted throughout his trial and death?
How might his Meekness become more and more your Meekness?
What scares you most about Meekness and the changes it might require of you?
CONCLUSION: SUMMARY
Three truths to remember:
1. Meekness begins with submission
2. Meekness transforms relationships
3. Meekness leads to an inheritance
“Inner Warrior Strength – Outward Commanding Calm”
Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”