The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness and Gentleness 5 Jun. In the Greek written long before the NT came about, the noun meant "gentleness, mild friendliness" (DNTT). As our Lord and Master, He is not harsh, overbearing, and oppressive, but gentle in His government. When a Christian leader falls, it is almost always due to a lack of self-control and personal discipline. Job's counsels were well received, because he spoke them gently ( Job 29:22 ). Gentle people are kind, caring, and considerate of others. Rather than asserting superiority, someone who is gentle wants to help others, even when they have been done wrong. 5. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. In this blog post, we will explore a few examples of gentleness from the Bible. Your email address will not be published. As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. We are harsh and brutish when we are attempting to grab ahold of authority or power that isnt our own. The New Testament is full of examples of Jesus gentleness. The picture would be exponentially worse than a very small child trying to hold a kitten, not wielding his power correctly and doing irreparable harm to the small animal. That word is gentleness. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem entitled "The Village Blacksmith" gives us a wonderful demonstration of genuine gentleness. I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. What does gentleness mean? Explained by Sharing Culture Your email address will not be published. Meekness and Humility vs. Pride, Haughtiness, and Egotism - Gospel Way But why is gentleness such an important virtue? Father / Grandfather / Minister / Missionary / Deacon / Elder / Author / When we see it this way, we can begin to work toward becoming gentler. And it starts with being humble before God acknowledging that we need His help to change and grow and allowing Him to work through us by His Spirit to make us more like His Son. 9 Examples of Gentleness in the Bible | Gentle When we are gentle with our children, we model for them the way God treats uswith patience, understanding, and love. Copyrights 2021 Gentle Christian Parenting. That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. But the reality is that war is more of a surface behaviour, something seen, rather than exposing the deeper things taking place inside. Developing Christian Gentleness is a sermon from Galatians 5:22-23 about the six ways that the Holy Spirit helps a Christian learn to be gentle. Required fields are marked *. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness. The Bible is replete with commands for us to be gentle. Pride and self-assertionthe opposite of gentlenessruled in the hearts of the Jewish leaders. One definition comes from Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness. Another translation says, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering. The word for gentleness here means strength under control or power working itself out in love. Do I have a gentle and quiet spirit? - Lies Young Women Believe But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). His manner is not harsh or abrasive. This is why someone like Coco Chanel could say that gentleness doesnt get things done. List of Opposites In the Bible - Bible Things that are Poles Apart Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone (Titus 3:1-2). ( Matt. Beginning and End God has neither beginning nor end. The world is full of harshness and rudeness. 4. Click here to show subject links in the text for more information. This is shown in our thoughts and in the way we interact with those around us. Extend grace when someone offends you, even if they dont deserve it. attentiveness patience responsiveness tolerance willingness generosity personableness tenderness softness flexibility tenderheartedness niceness geniality understanding warmth amiability affability amiableness graciousness pleasantness kindliness benignity humaneness agreeability mercifulness manners kindheartedness thoughtfulness benevolence But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1). It is the opposite of pride, haughtiness, and self-exaltation. Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would like to be treated. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. And as we engage others we should avoid quarreling with them but should instead have perfect courtesy toward all people. Is It True That Gentleness Gets Nothing Done. There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. Gentleness on the other hand, deals with the way that one regards others. The Bible has a lot to say about gentleness. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. We never know when our gentleness will lead someone to Christ. Actually, gentleness requires quite a bit of strength and self-control. Gentleness is a requisite for a servant of God, particularly one in a responsible position of oversight. To be gentle means showing love and care for others in how you act and speak. But the more we come to know the God who holds our future, as well as where God is taking us, the less prone we will be to carry around a harsh and bitter spirit within our hearts. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus takes upon himself this descriptor: I am gentle and lowly in heart., And when Jesus tells us what animates him most deeply, what is most true of himwhen he exposes the innermost recesses of his beingwhat we find there is: gentle and lowly. (Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 19). Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. We like to think that if Jesus were on earth today, hed be carrying around a whip. So now that we understand the call to gentleness and its many benefits, how do we put it into practice?Here are 10 ways you can show gentleness: Here are some bible verses on gentleness to encourage and build you up. A common misconception is that gentleness is weakness or passivity. opposite of gentleness in the bible - hablemosclaro.com Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Gentleness is typically used as an opposite of harshness. We're also more likely to receive blessings from God. A soft Answer shows us Gods Gentleness and points us toward the tree of life. 7. One example is found in 1 Peter 3:4-5: But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious., Another example is found in Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.. God wants children to learn obedience to Him through their parents. It does not mean weakness, per se. This is why this grace is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. An example of gentleness can be seen in John 8, when the Pharisees bring a woman who was caught in adultery to Jesus. Our research shows that gentleness is the most overlooked fruit of the Spirit, and not by a little. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take a moment to ask God for his gentleness, and then extend that same grace to those around you. hardness docility, intentional mildness roughness docility, intentional mildness abruptness steepness harshness imperviousness docility, intentional mildness precipitousness brutality unkindness Filters Most terms are nouns Suggest unkindness. For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement. You can prevent inciting anger by choosing to respond with gentleness. The word is most frequently used by Paul, James, and Peter. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. sometimes it requires great gentleness. Thank you for this devotion that I will pin, and print and place in my Gentleness devotional. Gentleness In The Bible Definition - CHURCHGISTS.COM People should be able to see Christ in us because we are kind and gentle to others, even when they are not to us. People will see Jesus in us when we are gentle. When we are patient and kind with those who are hurting, we offer them a glimpse of the hope and healing that is found in Jesus. In doing so, we reflect the character of our Heavenly Father and demonstrate his love to the world. brutality. Christ himself was a model of gentleness, and he calls us to follow his example. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. Gentleness, also translated "meekness," does not mean weakness. But taking even a few minutes out of our busy schedules to express our love and affection to our spouse can make a world of difference in our relationship. 9. Following Jesus' example, Paul treats his people gently, "like a mother caring for her little children" ( 1 Thess 2:7 ). Meekness - Bible Tools He does not keep record of our wrongs, but offers forgiveness if we come to Him. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus is explaining why we should embrace His way of life. It is important to Christians because it is important to God. Be subject to and obey God's word. Against such things there is no law. He was said to have been cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer. The Bible is full of examples of gentleness. Prautes describes a condition of mind and heartan internal attitudewhereas gentleness (mildness combined with tenderness) refers to actionsan external behavior. Bibliography. hardness. How is God gentle? Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "I'll believe it when I see it.". We who have the mind of Christ ought to also have at our core a gentleness of spirit. In accord with the prophecy, he enters Jerusalem in gentleness and lowliness ( Matt 21:5 ). Meekness however may be distinguished from gentleness in that meekness is the way one regards oneself, and is therefore described in the Scriptures as 'lowliness of mind.' (e.g. I'm too self-centered to stop and kiss my child's scraped knee. As any parent knows, raising children can be a rewarding but challenging task. These verses can be applied to any relationship or interaction with have with others. It looks like Jesus: kind and compassionate to those who are struggling, yet firm and clear-eyed when addressing sin; slow to anger and quick to forgive; always calm and collected even in the midst of chaos; patient with His disciples when they were constantly asking questions and getting things wrong; gentle with sinners but uncompromising on truth. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. It was a failure, and he tore up a good deal of potential evidence. Therefore, as followers of Jesus we are called to exhibit this character trait in our own lives. When we develop lazy attitudes in some areas, that laziness tends to spread to other areas as well. To really understand this word, think of a powerful animal that is brought under control. Gentleness is one of the most important virtues in the Bible. Jesus describes Himself as gentle. We study the arrival of guilt, an argument about guilt, and the answer to guilt. Matthew 6:14-15 says, For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. See 4236 (praotes).. For the believer, meekness (4240 /prats, "gentle-force") begins with the Lord's inspiration and finishes by His direction and . We have to ask ourselves if gentleness doesnt work, perhaps we are striving for the wrong kingdom. Notice especially controlled strength. Gentleness is power under control. As parents and caregivers, let us always remember the power of gentleness in shaping the hearts and minds of our children. Galatians 5 . And once again the Lord is working for their rescue. The opposite of gentleness is anger, a desire for revenge, and self-importance. The apostle Paul wrote that gentleness was one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Gentleness is powerful because it is godly. 11 Points: How Did Aaron Die in the Bible? God provides many examples of gentleness in the bible, Jesus himself being the best model. It requires great strength and self-control. They are often areas where we carry deep wounds and trauma from our past. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. Gentleness - Fruit of the Spirit - Resource for Kids Ministry It seems to be synonymous with being a good person. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. The opposite of peace is not war, it's fear. We Must Recognize Our Sinfulness and Our Dependence On God. It is described as a quiet spirit, will not harm a bruised reed the shield of your salvation. Again, the goal is always the unity of the Spirit; that is the demonstrated testimony of transforming gospel power. Lists. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It is a positive trait that can help you improve your relationships with others and even yourself. 94-96, 240-42; W. Bauder, NIDNTT, 2:256-64; H. Preisker, TDNT, 2:588-90; F. Hauck and S. Schulz, TDNT, 6:645-51. It is the opposite of being harsh with others. I'm Christina, a mom of three who is passionate about helping Christian parents and caregivers tend to their children with the full character of Jesus, including his gentleness. Gentleness in our day of polarization and heated rhetoric might go a long way in helping people to see the beauty of Jesus. Gentleness also means that we are patient with those who disagree with us, because they may have valid reasons for their position or opinion. Here are some steps you can take to learn how to be more gentle with others: 1. Its the opposite of harshness, and it means that we dont try to force our beliefs or ideas on others. Its the opposite of anger and harshness. When we attempt to restore someone caught in sin, we are to do it in a spirit of gentleness. In 2 Timothy and in Titus, gentleness is to mark the Christian leader. It is displayed by Good Behavior and one of the fruits of the spirit, in the hidden person of the heart. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. People Are Fragilehandle With Care - sermoncentral.com I am not affectionate, and I fail to give loving hugs. Required fields are marked *. May we never forget the pit of sin the Lord dragged us from and become like the unmerciful servant. Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us.