The meekness weapon: The hill where warriors win

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”  

~ Matthew 4:19 ~

We continue with our nursery rhyme, The Itsy Bitsy Spider – Part Two. So, become that child again and remember: The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout… Most are familiar with the rest.

Christianity is more than a fleeting encounter with Jesus. It means following Him into a radically different reality that begins on a mountain. Let’s start with our spider. In our last devotion, we discussed climbing and how human nature drives us to reach upward—to grow, to overcome, to become. That small spider keeps climbing because something inside it says, “There’s more up there.” Honestly, that’s also us—we pursue power, wealth, fame, and status. But the real question is: What happens when you finally arrive at the summit? Everything changes now; truth, goodness, beauty, and unity become the climb. 

Therefore, let’s go to the hill called the Sermon on the Mount, shall we?

In Matthew 5, Jesus approaches a hillside, sits down, and gathers a crowd. His disciples lean in as heaven seems to open. This moment isn’t just a sermon; it’s a bold declaration against humanity’s false perceptions. Jesus essentially states, “You believe strength is about domination. You see victory in control. You consider the blessed as the rich, loud, impressive, untouchable, and feared. But I will reveal the true reality” (Revelation). Then comes one of the most surprising statements in human history: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5

Wait…what? The meek inherit the earth, not the aggressive, manipulative, arrogant, or the loudest person in the room. Many people misunderstand Jesus because of this. It’s important to understand from the start that meekness does not mean weakness. It’s not about passivity, cowardice, or being a doormat. Instead, meekness is strength exercised under God’s guidance. Imagine a horse—specifically, a warhorse. It has the power to destroy an army, but when it’s trained, it responds gently to its master’s touch. That’s the essence of meekness.

Jesus was humble, yet He challenged corruption, rebuked hypocrisy, overturned tables, carried a cross, and conquered death. Meekness isn’t weakness; it’s strength submitted to God’s will or choice. “I choose God’s space rather than Man’s.” This perspective transforms leadership and faith because most of life’s conflicts aren’t due to a lack of skill but to a lack of inner self-control. Anger may secure quick wins, but it damages future relationships. Pride may garner applause, but it erodes trust. The ego may reach heights, but it often leads to downfall. Recall “Jack and Jill’s” dilemma. Conversely, meekness fosters stability, clarity, and a soul capable of facing chaos without becoming chaos itself.

Meekness is the foundation of true worship. Jesus highlights this in John 4: when He tells the woman at the well, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” Worship isn’t just about singing; it’s about becoming. A true worshiper aligns their entire life with reality through God’s love and truth. This makes the Sermon on the Mount so significant—it’s not just information but a process of formation. Jesus isn’t offering motivational sayings; He is transforming the human soul. Each beatitude is a step higher up the mountain once meekness takes root in the soul. This is what happens when someone genuinely follows Jesus, not just admires Him from afar.

As I frequently mention, many believe the real conflict is external — politics, culture, enemies, critics, opposition, and more. However, Jesus consistently points us inward first, emphasizing that the true battlefield is within the human heart. The internal war fuels the conflicts we see externally. This is why meekness serves as a powerful weapon — not weakness, but divine strength. A meek person is difficult to manipulate, bait, or control through triggers or impulses because they are guided by something higher than mere psychology or personal growth strategies. That’s why Jesus could sleep through storms, remain silent before Pilate, and forgive from the cross. He was rooted in another Kingdom — one where God’s space and human existence intersect and triumph, here and now!

Now, I want to talk about the true warrior. This presents the paradox of The Art of War — Jesus Style. Understand, the genuine warrior kneels first. The authentic leader serves first. The real climber bows first. Interestingly, this is how they now ascend to God’s throne room (Revelation 4). Not through self-importance. But through surrender. Not through control. But devotion. Not by feigning power. But by becoming whole. Perhaps that is the essential lesson of the spider: it keeps climbing. Not because storms never arrive but because it is made to rise again after the storm, where Jesus is on the hilltop saying, “Follow Me.” Not just into religion. Not merely into church attendance. But into a new way of being human. Always remember: Christianity is about becoming more human, not more religious. 

This week and always, during conflicts, speak less and focus on strengthening your attitude and spirit through Jesus, your Commander, commands, or teachings. Ask yourself, ‘How can I embody Christ’s meekness in this moment?’ If you genuinely embrace it, you’ll become that warrior who triumphs in life’s battles on Jesus’s holy mountain, with meekness as your weapon. 

As always…God is here. God is able. God is good.

Pastor Drake

I’ll be continuing this conversation later this week on the Just Sayin’ podcast, where we’ll take a deeper look at The Confidence Weapon: Climb Again.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so, we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.