THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS GENTLENESS
From The HeartPublish date: 04/16/2000
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
There are several different words translated as gentle or gentleness throughout the Word of God. The Greek word gentleness in this passage means usefulness in the sense of having moral excellence in character or demeanor. Words for gentleness are also translated as goodness, kindness or clemency. In other passages the Greek word translated gentle means to be affable, mild or kind. It is sometimes translated as moderate or patient. Affable means to be friendly, good-natured, amiable, agreeable, easy-going, courteous, pleasant, cordial, and sociable,
A gentle person is not a weak person, but a person of strong moral character who is humble and who esteems others above themselves. A gentle person is someone who is kind, considerate and merciful and who gets along well with others. A gentle person would make a great friend. You might say to yourself, “Being good-natured and easy-going is not who I am and so I will leave that to others who are naturally that way. It is easy for those other people, but that is just not my character or personality!” I have news for you – God can do something about your personality! You can change – you must just be willing! If we do not have these attributes, we need to allow the Lord to help us to develop the fruit of gentleness in our lives.
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:14-18 NKJ
Gentleness is not pushy or demanding – it does not insist on its own rights or its own way. It is not envious, boastful, proud or self-seeking. It is not hypocritical nor is it a respecter of persons. Gentleness is not easily angered. Gentleness is patient and kind. Gentleness is truthful and yet merciful and willing to yield - gentleness will allow you to disagree without being disagreeable. Although gentleness makes peace a priority - it never compromises the Word of God.
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:23-26 NKJ
As ministers of reconciliation, ambassadors of the
If you argue and strive, you will be opening the door to the devil in your life and that is something you cannot afford at any cost. You work so hard to stay in the will of God and under His protection – don’t blow it by getting into stupid, unproductive, strife-filled arguments! We can really only minister effectively to those who are prepared to hear what we have to say or who actually want to hear what we have to say. You can even have a civil discussion concerning a difference of opinions, but do not fight and argue, not ever!
Sometimes we get defensive when we are attacked or criticized by others and react in the flesh and begin to attack them back. If you are doing the will of God, you have nothing to defend and no reason to be defensive. God will defend you since He is the One who called you, anointed you, and gave you your assignment. The fruit of gentleness helps you to keep a good attitude even under very trying circumstances. Always remember, if you are in the will of God, then He is with you and for you and if God be for you – who can be against you!
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; your right hand has held me up, your gentleness has made me great. Psalms