Gentleness

Scripture:  Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

In this competitive, cut throat, aggressive, every  person for himself, and lawless society today, the world “gentleness seems out of place in many instances.  That’s because the idea of gentleness is wrongly associated with weakness and being passive.  The biblical meaning of meekness is power under control and/or strength balanced with love/tenderness.  

In the word of God, the following is what gentleness looks like in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ:  James 1:21 says “Wherefore lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  We must be willing to submit to what God’s word says.  I Peter 3:4 – says the following relating to our daily life:  “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”  We will be able to admit when we are wrong, and we will be a better listener.  Galatians 6:1 says the following which relates to us as we confront wrong.  “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  It will make you less judgmental and more gracious. We should love the sinner but hate their sin – showing meekness as we interact and witness to them.  Every Christian should be characterized by having gentleness.  It’s a part of the fruit of the Spirit.  

When we invited Jesus Christ into our lives, we received the Holy Spirit (I Corinthian 12:13). As a result of us receiving the Holy Spirit, we received the fruit of the Spirit – of which meekness is a part of.

Prayer:  Dear Lord:  Please help me to show forth more gentleness and be less demanding of those who I interact with.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)