"...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness..."
Galatians 5:22-23
“The product of a true, growing, gospel-centered nature is often gentleness.”
We have been looking at the fruit of the Spirit at a glance for the past few weeks, and today we come to Gentleness. If you were to look back over all the "fruit" we have studied, is there one that stands out to you over the rest?
Some may say - Love - because without love - the world would be a dark and empty place where no one cares.
Some may say - Joy - because without joy - why get up out of bed, if your day only will only be filled with misery and despair?
Some may say - Peace - because without peace - I am filled with fear and uncertainty, and the world feels like it is closing in on me.
Some may say - Patience - because without patience - the world is filled with agitation, discouragement, and a desire for revenge.
Some may say - Kindness - because without kindness - our hearts would be filled with malice and we would live a life of bitterness and callousness towards others.
Some may say - Goodness - because God is good - and it obvious - we are not - we are selfish and without a heart of generosity and care the world would be nothing but evil.
Some may say - Faithfulness - because without faithfulness - is a world filled with disobedience to the goodness of God and His ways and a life of disloyalty, treachery, and infidelity...
What about Gentleness? A world without gentleness - is a world filled with anger, a desire for revenge, and narcissism.
Maybe Gentleness is unique in that gentleness is central to the life of a Christian. Gentleness is a reflection of the character of our Savior who by the working of the Holy Spirit enables to live out out gentleness in our daily lives.
Gentleness, can also mean “meekness,” which does not mean weakness. Rather, it means living a life of humility and thankfulness toward God. Speaking the truth with power and in love, having restrained emotions and behavior toward others.
1 Peter 3:13-16, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Gentleness is applied all areas of our lives.
-In our personal relationships : We need to be attentive and good listeners even though you may a different point of view, speaking kindly, and avoiding hurtful words.
-In the workplace: We need to see our coworkers and treat them with respect and be open to serve and offer advice a gentle and non-threatening tone.
-Parenting with gentleness is crucial, because we know our children will not be perfect. It can be so hard to convey gentleness as a parent because we often times let our guard down to "be good to all. When we need to be present, patient, kind and gentle with our children, we can fall short on gentleness if we are tired, over worked and stressed. We need to be wise in how we handle scolding's and consequences, and remember to be firm yet gentle.
-In general interactions : Remember, humans are flawed and sinful and in need of Jesus - even Christians. So showing kindness and respect towards strangers is also living with a gentle spirit like Jesus did. Do your best to avoid quarrelsome or rude behavior, by remembering Jesus gentleness in handling you.
Rick Warren has a good breakdown of 8 biblical benefits of gentleness.
1. Gentleness Diffuses Conflict, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1
2. Gentleness Disarms Critics, "We appeal gently when evil things are said about us” 1 Corinthians 4:13
3. Gentleness is Persuasive, “Gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses” Proverbs 25:15
4. Gentleness is Attractive, “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness” 1 Timothy 6:11
5. Gentleness Communicates Love, "Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
6. Gentleness Earns Respect, "In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.." 1 Peter 3:15
7. Gentleness is a Witness to Unbelievers, (1 Peter 3:15 again)
8. Gentleness Makes Me Like Jesus, "Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives” Matthew 11:28-29
Being gentle does not mean allowing others to treat you like a doormat, take advantage of you, or abuse you.
Learning how and to extend gentleness is something we learn from watching Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to grow in us and lead us in wisdom with.
We see in John 8, the Pharisees bring a woman who was caught in adultery to Jesus. The Pharisees told Jesus that the Law of Moses commanded them to stone such a woman, to which Jesus responds,
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” John 8:7
After everyone left, Jesus did not condemn the woman, but said to her,
“Go now and leave your life of sin” John 8:11.
As hard as it may be at times, this is how we are called to live and love like Jesus, gentle and humble, while speaking the truth in love.
Even in our sin, God continues to love us. He does not keep record of our wrongs, but offers forgiveness,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.