Fruit of the Holy Spirit-Gentleness (Part 9)

                             Gentleness: kind, amicable, moderate, not severe, soft, meekness

      These are just a few words that mean gentleness. But, what does the bible say about it?

1. To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.Titus 3:2
2. 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. Mathew 11:29
3. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11 
4. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Ephesians 4:2
5. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
6. 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. Mathew 11:29

These are just a few scriptures of what the bible says about gentleness. Does have this fruit mean we are weak? Some might say or think so of us. But actually, if we have it, we are strong. Jesus was very gentle in his dealing with people like Mary and Martha in Luke 2, the woman at the well in John 4 and the woman caught in adultery in John 8, just to name a few. 

But then Jesus went to the cross for our sins. That showed us his strength. Because to be sure, strength was needed for him to do that. 

Oh but that was the Son ofGod, you might say.  Maybe we would not have that kind of strength if we ever needed it. However, what we need of strength at any time we need it comes from our heavenly Father. Just as it came to Jesus from the Father. Gentleness and strength can exist in our character through the Holy Spirit. There are times, we need to be gentle. And other times we need strength. And God will give us each at the times we need them. 

And so what does gentleness look like in your life?  With your family? Your friends? In your church? At work? It does not mean we have to let people walk on us. It does not mean we let people abuse us. It does mean to learn how to deal with those around us in a godly manner. Always with the question of "What would Jesus do?" in the back of our minds. It is truly a fruit that we need to practice.

                                                                      Cartoon of the day:

Thanks for stopping by today Friends. Have a wonderful and blessed day!