The Fruit of the Spirit Day 8: Gentleness
Definition
GENTLENESS “The quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered;” “Soft of action or effect, lightness”
Bible verses
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5).
SHOW YOUR GENTLENESS TO EVERYONE, TIME IS SHORT.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
YOUR BODY SHOULD BE CLOTHED WITH GENTLENESS.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
GENTLENESS REDUCES FRICTION.
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).
GENTLENESS IS SWEET AS A FLAVOR AND A HEALING COMPOUND.
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister” (Romans 14:13).
GENTLENESS IS NOT BEING JUDGEMENTAL
NOTICE WHAT THESE BIBLE VERSES ARE SAYING!
1. Gentleness should not be shown to just a few people; It is to be shown to everyone. There is an urgency to outreach. Time is limited.
2. Our entire body (not just our words) should reflect gentleness.
3. Gentleness is a calming factor.
4. Gentleness is a healing factor.
5. Gentleness causes healing, not adding to the wound.
Personal stories
A couple of decades ago, there was someone at FBCA that did not like me and showed it. They would disagree with me no matter what I said or did. If I said “Yes,” they would say “No.” If my position on a certain subject was to the right, they would take the position to the left. I was very frustrated. I chose to love them (gentleness according to this devotional), no matter what the topic of discussion was. Loving them frustrated them to the point that the bad feelings stopped. We had a long talk about what was going on, and we are good friends and confidantes to this day.
Three years ago, a student at Parkland High School approached me and asked me if I was a Christian. I told her that I was. She said that she is a member of a local church and saw something in me that convinced her that she should approach me and ask that question. This girl (Grace) was a sophomore at the time and asked me to be a spiritual advisor to her. With permission from her parents and school administration, I agreed to do so.
One day, Grace brought a friend of hers, Dannie (a girl), to me to get my advice on a relationship situation that Dannie was having with a classmate. You see, both Dannie and the classmate were running for President of the Class of 2019. The classmate was treating her like my friend above was treating me a few decades earlier. I related the “love her no matter what” approach that I used and she just stared at me but agreed to try it. A few weeks later, Dannie came to me with a big smile on her face. She and the classmate reconciled, and she said that the “love her no matter what” approach was the key to their reconciliation. Grace, Dannie, and I praised God for His work in this situation. These girls are of high character and are fine Christian young women. As a side note, Dannie became the class president of the PHS Class of 2019.
Grace later became the class president of the PHS Class of 2020. Dannie is a sophomore at Temple University. Grace was appointed to the Naval Academy and is currently being trained at the Naval Academy in Maryland. These women will be strong Christian leaders for a long time.
Final comments
Using gentleness in our daily walk with Christ has lasting and eternal effects. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit as taught in this current devotional series. Jesus exhibited gentleness while He walked on this earth. Many Scriptures portray
gentleness as characteristic of Bible characters many years ago. If it was shown to us in the Old Testament; shown to us through Jesus’ life in the New Testament; and Paul states that it is part of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5; then why are some Christians not using gentleness in their daily walk with God?
Thanks for reading.
Blessings from Carlton Ringer