The Incredible Hulk

I'm loving the study we're doing right now on The Beatitudes in Matthew 5.  Last week, we discussed MEEKNESS.  Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." (v.5)

Check out "Meekness Is Not Weakness!" here.

Meekness, by definition, is "controlled strength."  It is the ability to maintain your composure in the face of conflict.

In 1978, Universal Studios launched the television version of Marvel Comics character "The Hulk."  The storyline is about Dr. David Bruce Banner, a brilliant scientist, whose experiment goes terribly awry.  Now, whenever he is under extreme stress, his body undergoes a transformation and he morphs into "The Incredible Hulk."

The Hulk is about seven feet tall hugely muscular and powerful, and has bright green skin.  After destroying whatever threatens Dr. Banner, he morphs back to a normal human form with only amnesia and tattered clothing as evidence of what just transpired. As you can well imagine, this situation is quite troubling for Dr. Banner and causes him no end of problems.

Do you know anyone who turns into the HULK whenever they're under extreme stress?  Perhaps there's a little bit of HULK in each of us.

The famous phrase from the television series is "Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I get angry."

If meekness means CONTROLLED strength then the opposite of meekness is OUT OF CONTROL strength.

Learning how to manage your emotions is crucial if we're to avoid turning into The Hulk.  It's easy for people to fly off the handle especially if they've bottled up their emotions over time. 

The truth is that everyone gets angry.  Part of being human is learning how to deal with anger.  Anger is either EXPLOSIVE or IMPLOSIVE.

• Explosive are the kind of people that yell at the cashier when they won't accept their coupons. 
• Implosive are the kind of people that keep their anger bottled in and then express their anger in a huge way.  An implosive person would be the cashier who accepts the rude comments day after day and then one day explodes and shoots everyone in the place.

It's OK to be angry but, what might not be OK is how we handle it. 

• How do you handle conflict or extreme stress? 
• Do you lose your cool? 
• Does the least little thing set you off?
• Do your family and friends tip-toe around you?

Meekness is the ability to maintain your composure in the face of conflict while avoiding a hulk like transformation.

• Meekness allows God to vindicate.
• Only a meek person can refrain from retaliating or trying to vindicate themselves.
• A meek person does not even feel the need to defend himself.
• Jesus was constantly being accused of something and He never defended Himself.
• It takes real power to not retaliate and try to vindicate yourself.
• Meekness handles correction graciously.
• There is severe discipline for those who forsake God's way.  Whoever hates reproof will die. (physically, morally and spiritually) Proverbs 15:10
• Whoever hardens their neck after being reproved will be destroyed.  Proverbs 29:1
• Fools despise skillful and godly wisdom, instruction and discipline. Proverbs 1:7
• Being "found out" is a blessing rather than a curse.  God is being faithful to our soul.
• Correction is the only thing that helps us get from where we are to where we need to be.  However, we often resist correction from God directly or from God through man.
• Jonah was found out - Jonah 1:1-10 
• He may have thought he was getting away with something but God sent a storm to correct him and to let him know that He knew right where he was. 
• God even told the other men on the ship what Jonah's sin was.
• Meekness means no pouting and no self-pity.
• Despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  Lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees - Hebrews 12:5-8,12
• Stop pouting around about correction and receive it.
• We prove our sonship when we receive correction.
• Meekness is submissive to authority.
• Submitting to authority saves us a lot of trouble.
• If we will not submit to delegated authority, we will not submit to God either.
• If a person is rebellious, it will show up in every relationship.
• Saul - 1 Samuel 15:23
• The sin of rebellion is like witchcraft.
• Witchcraft operates on the principle of control.
• Anyone who is rebellious against authority is seeking control.
• Meekness must be sought after.
• Humility (meekness) must be sought after diligently.
• It will not be developed unless a person wants it with all of their heart.
• Apostle Paul said that or behavior should be humble, gentle and meek. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

People who are not meek are hard people.

• Hard to get along with.
• Hard to keep happy.
• Hard to please.
• Hard to be comfortable with.

No matter how hard you try not to, occasionally you are going to lose your temper.


You may turn into the hulk if:

1. You've been offended as a result of a betrayal or being lied to.
2. You are experiencing so much stress.
3. You feel threatened, fearful and your self-esteem is on the decline.
4. You disagree with people over their thoughts, manners or ideas.
5. You have unrealistic expectations on several issues, people....
6. You feel powerless to deal with issues centered on discipline, manipulation...

What to do if you've turned into the hulk:

1. Regain your composure.
2. Accept your error - don't blame others for the mess you've caused.
3. Be willing to compromise.
4. Avoid harbouring negative thoughts about an individual, situation, circumstance, etc.
5. Choose your battles carefully.
6. Count to ten.
7. Relax and meditate.
8. Talk to someone who is objective.