Ladder of Divine Ascent

Step 24

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Step 24: On meekness, simplicity, and guilelessness which comes not from nature but from conscious effort, and about guile. 

I. Scriptural references to being meek and meekness

Num 12:3 - Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all men that were on the face of the earth.

Psalm 10:17 - O LORD, thou wilt hear the desire of the meek; thou wilt strengthen their heart, thou wilt incline thy ear 18  to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 37:11- But the meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

Isa 11:3 - And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; 4  but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

Isa 29:19 - The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

Matt 5:5  "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Matt. 11: 29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

II Cor. 10:1 - I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ -- I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold to you when I am away!--

Eph 3:20  Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. 4:1  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2  with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, 3  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Col 3:12  Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, 13  forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

James 1:21  Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 3:13  Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

II. An Order to Virtues

A.) Step 1: Freedom from guile leads to Simplicity (step 24)

Guile defined:

“Guile is a . . .diabolic deformity, bereft of truth and thinking it can escape the notice of many. . .Guile is a perversion of honesty a deluded way of thinking, a lying disposition, false oaths, ambiguous words, a dark secrecy of heart, an abyss of cunning, deceit that has become habit. . . a foe to humility. . .a teacher of willfulness, a cause of falls, a hindrance to resurrection, sham reverence a diabolical life. (Ladder 24:15,20)”

Guilelessness/ Honesty/ Innocence/Uprightness defined:

“Guilelessness is a joyous state of soul far removed from all ulterior motive. Honesty is un-meddling thought, sincere character, frank and unpremeditated speech. Innocent is he whose soul is in its natural purity as it was created, and who makes intercession for all.. .God is called love, and also uprightness. . .Good and upright is the Lord. And those who are His namesakes, He says that they are saved: Who saves them who are upright of heart; and again: His countenance sees and visits those who are honest and just.” (Ladder 24:17,18,19,23)”

B.)  Step 2: Simplicity precedes meekness and humility (Step 25)

“A meek soul is a throne of simplicity, but an angry mind is a creator of evil. . . Simplicity is a constant habit of soul that has become immune to crafty thinking. . . The first property of the age of childhood is uniform simplicity, and as long as Adam had it, he did not see the nakedness of his soul, or the indecency of his flesh. . . Excellent too is that simplicity which is in some by nature, yes, and blessed, but not as much as that which is grafted into a guileful soul with toil and sweat. For the former is sheltered and protected from much complexity and passion, but the latter leads to the highest humility and meekness. (Ladder 24: 9, 14, 24, 25)”

C.) Step 3 = meekness opens the door to other virtues

i.  Humility

“The morning light precedes the sun, and the precursor of all humility is meekness. (Ladder 24:1)”

ii. Patience & Love & Discernment (Step 26)

“Meekness is the buttress of patience, the door, or rather, the mother of love, and the foundation of discernment. For it is said: The Lord will teach the meek his ways. (Ps 24:9) (Ladder 24:5)”

iii. Forgiveness, boldness in prayer, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit

“It prepares us for the forgiveness of sins; it is boldness in prayer, and abode of the Holy Spirit. (Ladder 24:5)”

III. Meekness defined:

A.) Stability in all circumstances- all trials

“Meekness is an unchangeable state of mind, which remains the same in honor and dishonor. (Ladder 24:2)”

B.) During times of conflict to remain unmoved by it and in a state of prayer - an absence of anger.

“Meekness consists in praying calmly and sincerely for a neighbor when he causes many turmoil. . .Meekness is a rock overlooking the sea of anger, which breaks all the waves that dash against it, yet remains completely unmoved. (Ladder 24:3,4)”

C.) Meekness is an imitation of Christ

“Meekness is the fellow-worker of obedience, the guide for the brotherhood, a bridle for the enraged, a check to the irritable, a minister of joy, the imitation of Christ, something proper to angels, shackles for demons, a shield against bitterness. . .He who has strength for this step, let him take courage; for he has become an imitator of Christ his Master, and has been saved. (Ladder 24:6, 34)”

D.) Meekness welcomes the presence of Christ

“In the hearts of the meek the Lord finds rest, but a turbulent soul is a seat of the devil. . . Let all of us who wish to attract the Lord to ourselves draw near to Him as disciples to the Master, simply without hypocrisy, without duplicity or guile, not out of idle curiosity. He Himself is simple and not composite, and He wants souls that come to Him to be simple and guileless. For you will surely never see simplicity bereft of humility. (Ladder 24:7,26)”