Gentleness

We are made in the image of God - this is a profound statement. We were created to resemble our Creator, yet now we wrestle with who we want to look like. The fruits of the Spirit give insight to God’s character, and give us examples on how to resemble our Creator.

Throughout the sin-filled history of humankind, people have made their own idols, or images, to worship instead of the Lord. Like Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, we craft the images of ourselves that we like, and ask those around us to worship us. (Social media much?) When we are obedient to the flesh over the Spirit, we continue to become more of a ‘spitting image’ of Christ, being ‘made in his image’ as intended. As Christians, we have identified ourselves with Christ, so we have the responsibility to show the unbelieving world around us what following Jesus looks like, and what He produces. This requires obedience to the Spirit and “clothing ourselves with Christ” as the Apostle Paul says,

 “..clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Romans 13:14.

The flesh, and sin are brutal. You don’t have to read the news long to see how dark and brutal people can be. While we may marvel at the extreme stories we see online, let’s not fool ourselves that there is a battle of brutality within our own souls. Have you ever desired someone’s demise? Have you ever spoken vicious words to someone? Or even behind their back? These are small examples of the brutality we can have in our hearts. We need to fight this war of brutality with God’s mighty weapon, and fruit, of gentleness. We don’t want to resemble the brutal world around us, we want to resemble Jesus, who is gentle. 

Fruit #8 - Gentleness

What is Gentleness?

So what exactly is biblical gentleness? By looking at the whole of Scripture, and how this particular word is used throughout it, we can develop an implicit understanding of what gentleness is and what it looks like played out in our lives.

Characteristics of gentleness

• Grounded. A gentle person doesn’t get unnecessarily riled up. They are calm.

• Sensitive Disposition. You carry yourself as someone who genuinely cares, regardless of your personality traits.

• Careful. Gentleness is not reckless, it’s intentional and wise not to do unnecessary harm.

• Non-judgmental. We are not the final judge over someone’s destiny, and our gentleness keeps us from judging people’s actions harshly.

The Greek word for gentleness in Galatians 5:23 is prautes, which is the noun form of the primary root praus, which is an adjective. This word, and various forms of the word, is accurately interpreted as gentle, gentleness, meek, and humility. (humility, only a couple times in the book of James.)

-Jesus used this root word, praus, two times in the gospel of Matthew, and each shows gentleness as it relates to Christ, and as it relates to us.

Jesus is Gentle

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle (praus) and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” - Matthew 11:29

-Jesus makes an appeal for people to follow Him based on his heart of gentleness and humility. This is who Jesus is at His core.

Jesus’ Followers are Gentle

“Blessed are the meek (praus), for they will inherit the earth.” - Matthew 5:5

-The brutal don’t inherit the earth. Muslims won’t win through brutality. Christians will win and inherit the Kingdom, and our gentleness plays a role in that.

-If gentleness is an identifying characteristic of following Jesus, we need to talk and think about how we should be more gentle.

How do we produce more gentleness in our lives?

If you struggle with any of those characteristics of gentleness mentioned, perhaps you need to practice the fruit of gentleness in your life. Do you struggle with letting your emotions rule you? It’s hard to be gentle when you are not grounded, so work on being steady in upsetting situations. Do you genuinely care about others? Are you overly harsh when sharing your opinion, or when you’re mad about something? These might be opportunities to reflect and repent towards a more gentle heart.

Gentleness is active, not passive.

Being a gentle person doesn’t mean that you’re never firm, angry, or making judgments. Rather a gentle heart doest these things in a way that honors God.

-Jesus was gentle, but he was firm and took action against sin on the cross, and when confronting the people during his ministry.

-What good is a gentle heart if it is not seen? It must be produced in us… like a fruit.

• What is a real life example where you can be actively gentle?

Jesus was gentle to you, be gentle to yourself

-Living in constant shame and self-hatred is not what God wants for you.

-Suicide and suicidal thoughts are an example of the brutality of the enemy.

-Jesus’ work on the cross was enough brutality for your sins. 

-Jesus has grace for you and gently takes you back when you go wayward. Repentance takes away the brutality in your heart.

• How gentle are you towards yourself?

• What are things to say to yourself when you start to get too hard on yourself?

Gentle to one another

I’m a firm believer in this: grace changes people. Grace changes you. Grace has changed and continually changes me. 

-Grace and gentleness go hand in hand, you’re giving people something that they don’t deserve when you’re walking in gentleness.

-Brutality can change behavior, Gentleness can change the heart. We are after heart change in ourselves, and in others. So we must pursue gentleness in our interactions.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” - Proverbs 15:1

• Is there an example in your life where you’ve seen that verse play out? What happened?

In the Church:

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” - Galatians 6:1

-Restore a person in gentleness, because you’re no better! And harshness makes you more susceptible to temptation too.

 “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” - 2 Tim 2:25

-We even rebuke with a gentle heart. Gentle and firm/righteous anger are not mutually exclusive. We can rebuke with gentleness in our hearts.

-Put this into practice the next time that someone upsets you.

In the family:

-Husband’s are called to “not be harsh” to their wives Colossians 3:19

-Wives are to be clothed with gentleness 1 Peter 3:4

-Fathers/parents to be gentle to children “not provoke them to anger” Colossians 3:21

In conclusion:

Gentleness is at the core of our Lord's heart, we are called to put it into practice. You know the areas of your life that you need to display more gentleness in, and I hope that you’re motivated to look more like the image of Christ in this way.

• How can gentleness be consistently shown through you?