Fruits of the Spirit: Gentleness - a powerful quality
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Today let’s look at one of the most powerful of the Fruits, gentleness.
Right now, I imagine you are trying to figure out how gentleness can be a force of strength. The reality is that gentleness, softness, tenderness, allows others to grow and learn. Gentleness has been described as love in action. It produces an aura of allowing others to express themselves. It is non-judgemental, but seeks to provide a place of safety for others.
As for praise, we have never asked for it from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but we were gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children.
1 Thessalonians 2:6-7
Gentleness goes on to project wisdom. Gentleness produces humility and sensitivity. A gentle spirit will not want to fan the flames of gossip, or allow selfish ambition to cloud one’s judgement. Those traits are inspired by Satan, and he uses them to produce evil among us. But gentleness rebukes those attributes, and allows the spirit to grow in love, to teach in love.
Timothy was a teacher who helped others learn when they were confused regarding God’s truth. Paul advised Timothy to be humble when explaining God’s truth to those who needed to hear it, to avoid foolish arguments. In 2 Timothy, Paul tells Timothy to beware of quarrels and to be kind to all, allowing a gentle spirit to come out.
In James, we see that wisdom is a gift from God, and that this wisdom is pure in gentleness.
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.
James 3:17
The gift of gentleness can lead others to follow Christ, to see Christ in us, through us. That makes it a powerful fruit of the spirit, indeed! Today, as you walk with God, as you walk among others, use this fruit to allow others see Christ’s gentleness and love. Allow others to shine and bask in that love.
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