Release of the Spirit - Ch. 9: Meekness in Brokenness

In this short chapter, Nee presents the qualities of meekness that characterize the man or woman of God who has gone through the breaking work of God.

He begins the chapter by saying that God's work is tailor-made for each of His servants. Because He knows well what our strong points are, He knows how to deal with those and at what pace. As Nee has repeated many times in this book, the goal of the Spirit is to "wound the self (soul) life", not to destroy the God-given soul but to bring it under His loving Lordship.

The affliction will vary with the person  but the result "is a producing of a broken will. We are all naturally obstinate. This stubborn will is supported by our thoughts, opinions, self-love, affection, or cleverness...a common feature marks those who have been enlightened and disciplined - they become meek...Formerly we could afford to be obstinate because we were like a house well supported by many pillars. As God removes the pillars one after another, the house is bound to collapse."

Qualities of Meekness

• Approachable - easy to talk to and a person quick to confess sin; this is because his outward shell has been broken and he is not defensive, not trying to protect his natural life.
• Sensitive - alert to his environment because his spirit is in touch with the spirit of his brothers and sisters; he can quickly discern what's going on in a situation and his spirit responds appropriately. 
• Able to discern the Body of Christ - he can touch the feelings of the church and is quick to recognize when he does something wrong to those in the church. "After our outward man is broken, we begin to live in that corporate awareness as related members of His body and are easily corrected."
• Teachable - "The greatest advantage of brokennes is...in enabling us to receive the supply of all the body. Our spirit is released and open to get spiritual help from whatever source in the body. Suppose, for example, a brother has a keen but unbroken intellect...Unless he meets one whose mind is sharper than his, he will not be helped. He will analyze the thoughts of the preacher and reject them as useless and meaningless...He is walled in by his mind...However, should the Lord come in and shatter this wall, showing him the futility of his own thoughts, he will become attentive as a child to what others may say...Whenever God's Spirit makes a move upon any brother, never again will he judge others merely by doctrine, words, or eloquence. (Nee goes on to define what it means to be taught: "It cannot mean expanded thoughts, nor improved understanding, nor greater doctrinal accumulation. It simply means that my spirit has once more contacted God's Spirit...")

Jesus, You say of Yourself that You are meek; thank You for the ministry of Your Spirit to break our outer man in order to make us more like You. We yield to Your good work! Amen.