Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
When you hear the word "gentleness", what does it mean to you? It conjures
up wrong images for some people. To some it may mean being a “marshmallow”,
while others may wish it a quality they possessed. Regardless of what
it means to any of us, gentleness is a character trait that was present
in Jesus Christ, for it is a fruit of the Spirit…
2 Cor. 10:1a (KJV)
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and GENTLENESS OF CHRIST....
Isaiah 40:11 (KJV)
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with
his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall GENTLY lead those that
are with young.
Psalm 18:35 (KJV)
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand
hath holden me up, and THY GENTLENESS hath made me great.
When the fruits of love, joy, peace, and longsuffering are reigning on
the inside of our hearts, it is easy to see how gentleness - an outward
characteristic, will be evident in our treatment of people. Because we
have love as a foundation, then joy built upon that next, coupled with
peace, each enhanced by longsuffering, we will then be able to reach out
properly to others and share the gospel with gentleness. When you dispense
this fruit of the Spirit, you contribute to the success of others. Yes,
gentleness is the first outward manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit,
the first four inward fruits of the Spirit having already been specified,
as seen in our opening text. Is your personality one that is far from
being described as gentle? Many would blame their upbringing or their
present circumstances for their personality being harsh, but a lack of
gentleness, we will see today, can only be due to an inward bankruptcy
of your heart…
James 4:1 (KJV)
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even
of your lusts that war in your members?
You see ladies, the gospel is given to us first to affect the inward state
of affairs of our heart - to bring us to salvation and peace with God.
Then after salvation, we are to take the very gospel that changed us and
share it with others that they might in turn receive salvation and peace
with God. Think of those who have helped you most to grow in Christ, those
that initially shared Jesus with you. What are some qualities that you
appreciate in them? Was gentleness one of those qualities? There are right
ways and wrong ways of sharing Christ with people, as we will see in the
scriptures. Turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 2 and read verses 1-12 where
the apostle Paul shares with us his method and his message and the role
gentleness played in both when it came to sharing Christ…
1 Thes. 2:1-12 (KJV)
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not
in vain: [2] But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully
entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto
you the gospel of God with much contention. [3] For our exhortation was
not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: [4] But as we were allowed
of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing
men, but God, which trieth our hearts. [5] For neither at any time used
we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
[6] Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when
we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. [7] But we were
gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: [8] So being
affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto
you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were
dear unto us. [9] For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for
labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of
you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. [10] Ye are witnesses, and
God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among
you that believe: [11] As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged
every one of you, as a father doth his children, [12] That ye would walk
worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
In verses one and two of this chapter, Paul says that they were “bold
in our God” to speak unto the people of Thessalonica. When we know the
truth, it is easy to be bold with it, amen? Knowing that we hold the truth
in our hands (and hearts!) creates confidence when approaching individuals.
Even so, while boldness is important, don't forget that it must be coupled
with gentleness so that you can share Christ with the right attitude,
utilizing an acceptable and profitable approach. Steel on the inside,
but velvet on the outside… Ladies, people must be persuaded to God, not
driven by force! Being gentle towards folks helps them grasp the love
and concern that the Lord has for them…
James 3:17 (KJV)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, GENTLE,
easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,
and without hypocrisy.
Yes, God's wisdom is gentle! There are many Christians that try to display
God's wisdom and leave out God's gentleness, and it pushes people away.
This is a misrepresentation of the Lord. Gentleness cannot be separated
from true wisdom... These verses show the difference between men pretending
to be wise, and their being really so! Where do you fit in, dear lady??
“He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not wise in the sense of
the Scripture, if he does not live and act well.” True wisdom is known
by the meekness of the spirit and temper. Think for a moment - would you
frequently approach the Lord if you weren’t certain of His gentleness??
Of course not! Like I said in the beginning of this study, none of us
would enjoy waking up every day anxiously anticipating what God was going
to do to us next. It is because of His gentleness toward us that we are
not consumed by Him, amen? Now, as you relate to others on a daily basis
with your own unique personality and style, how are you expressing gentleness
like God does? Do you have a consuming, contentious, bossy, overbearing
spirit that repels, or a gentle one, drawing others into fellowship with
you, into a setting in which persons would desire to learn about the Lord
from you and excel?
2 Timothy 2:24 (KJV)
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be GENTLE unto all men,
apt to teach, patient.
That verse says gentleness must be exhibited toward ALL men - did you
notice that little three-letter word placed in there? Not just the "easy
to live with" ones, but the "hard to live with" ones as well! The Apostle
Paul cautions us against religious disputes, which unfortunately some
of God's people thrive on, even women! Some of the bloodiest religious
quarrels take place between Christian women… Ladies, we must strive to
exhibit gentleness, not boxing gloves poised and ready for a fight! Stay
away from situations that would tempt your flesh to rear its ugly head.
If we aren't apt to edify, we are apt to strive and become fierce and
froward. Temperate instruction, not bullying, is the scriptural method
of dealing with those in error. Are you able to make gentle contribution
to the advancement of others? The key to this godly attitude is found
in the text above - "And the servant of the Lord." If your service is
directed toward the Lord, and not man, your gentleness will be seen on
a regular basis, not only when pleasant persons surround you… It is WHO
is on the inside of you that should determine the degree of your gentleness.
Lead by serving and serve by suffering long, all the while displaying
God's demeanor…
1 Peter 2:28 (KJV)
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good
and gentle, but also to the froward.
Perhaps in your life today there is someone who is not demonstrating gentleness
toward you, even though you may be doing right, someone who has not been
sensitive or kind toward you in their treatment. As wives, we like it
when our husbands treat us gently and lovingly, don't we? But what happens
when they don't, or can't, or even won't?? Is a lack of gentleness on
another person's part an excuse for us to put on our boxing gloves and
forsake gentleness ourselves? Not so! The Bible says we must submit to
both the gentle and the froward master. You see ladies, the gentleness
of the Holy Spirit reigning in your heart will be the reason you can react
properly to anyone who is not gentle. As wives, we can then submit to
our husbands no matter what, die to ourselves, and exhibit the gentleness
of the Spirit of God in our lives! Gentleness includes such enviable qualities
as having strength under control, being calm and peaceful when surrounded
by an uncomfortable atmosphere, emitting a soothing effect on those who
may be angry or otherwise beside themselves. Anyone can fight back, amen?
But it takes a Spirit-filled Christian; someone packed with God's gentleness,
to steer clear of brawling…
Titus 3:2 (KJV)
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but GENTLE, shewing all meekness
unto ALL men.
Yes, a gentle servant avoids arguments - but not people! When your goal
is to win arguments, you lose people in the process... A servant's goal
should be to WIN souls, amen? Then it is that gentleness will prevail,
for it will decide our approach toward people. As our desire grows to
serve the Lord, we will lose our desire to be brawlers. We won't need
to bring our boxing gloves along with us anymore! Truth launches our boldness,
but gentleness tempers our approach and determines our dealings with people.
There is nothing so strong as gentleness... Through the Spirit, gentleness
has great power to change and turn the heart to God!
Tomorrow we will take a look at the rest of those scriptures in 1 Thessalonians
2:1-12, but right now, why not take a moment and ask the Lord to help
you be an example of gentleness to the people He sends your way, maybe
to someone living right under your own roof! Take heed that you are not
steel without the velvet...
But the fruit... Is there any in your life?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003
