“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
What do you think of when you hear the word gentleness? Sometimes gentleness is compared to meekness or weakness, but I would argue that gentleness is very different. I believe that gentleness actually takes strength to show. Meekness is defined as submissive and weakness is defined as lacking strength. However, gentleness is defined as being tender or having softness.
It is easy in this day and age, in our society, to become harsh with someone who is not fulfilling our needs. For example, if someone isn’t moving their car quick enough for us to park, we yell at them, or make motions at them. We all have pushed our way through a situation or two reacting in a harsh manner.
Developing gentleness is truly a gift from God.
Our actions and words carry weight with others and affect the people around us. When we are harsh in either one of those areas, we can hurt others, tear down self-esteems, and drive people away from God. Being able to be gentle with others whether it is physically or verbally, has a greater chance of having a positive outcome than being harsh. Having the ability to restrain yourself from acting in a harsh manner and then being willing to show that gentle side of yourself takes strength. Strength in knowing who you are in Christ and that He is in control of the situation, if we let Him.
An example of gentleness can be a person who is typically known for being rough and tough, going into a hospital and sitting beside their parent, lovingly holding their hand as they battle disease. It is the ability to remove yourself from the center of the situation and place the other person there, right in the center. Being able to place their needs above your own because you know that they matter more to you at that moment than your own needs or desires.
Christ showed this gentleness as He held children while He was talking to large crowds about their sins and how they could change their lives. Jesus also showed us great gentleness when He took the beatings that the guards gave Him, carried the cross to His place of death and then let them nail Him to the cross so that we could be given the chance at forgiveness. Jesus could have struck down everyone of the guards the moment they lifted your rods to hit Him, but He didn’t. Instead He forgave them for doing what they were doing. Jesus then gave us a chance at eternal life in heaven because He placed our needs before His own. He placed the need to save our lives above keeping His life on earth.
Are you known as a gentle person? If you are not, God can grow that area of the Fruit of the Spirit inside you, you need only to let Him. He will not push His way into your life, however, please remember that He only wants what is best for you. I pray that today you would talk to God about gentleness and how with His help this characteristic can be developed more in your life. I know that I am going to be talking with Him today about how it can be developed more in my life. Have a wonderful day.