Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
While researching this spiritual gift, gentleness, I’m reminded of how truely gentle God is. And I’m also reminded how we, His children, are not.
It’s sad that sometimes Gods children who are in the spotlight, fall into sin in front of a world that is watching their every move. And it’s crushing to know, because they are in the spotlight, just how many people are affected. But, have we ever thought how these same observers are affected by the way Gods children respond to this?
God is gentle. Maybe those stumbling are just that, stumbling, and need a gentle reminder and encouragement that we have a forgiving God, a God of Grace.
Or maybe those who seemed to be children of God are really not and are blind by the world and need our grace and forgiveness and the truth.
Or, maybe they are evil people, wolves in sheep’s clothing. Seems to be more of this scenario in today’s world than ever before.
At the risking being accused of compromising Gods word, let’s remember it’s not our job to judge others. It’s our job to be the light of God, to show Him! Yes in gentleness! Stern and in truth. To call out the evil yet not the person, in gentleness.
How do we do that? That’s why gentleness is a gift of the Holy Spirit. We can’t on our own. Which is what too many of us try to do.
Take a baby for example. They need gentleness, gentle care and love to grow into strong humans. Did you catch that? Baby’s need gentleness to become strong.
Sometimes a child has been brought up by non loving, non gentle people. On the outside they seem like grown children or even adults that should know better. But they don’t. If they see other adults treat them roughly they continue to behave the same way. But if they see others treat them gently and with a Godly example, then they have a better chance to learn and change.
The same goes with somebody brought up in church. They may know all the right things to say and do. They may play the part of Gods child, but they even fool themselves. What happens when they fail? When their truth shows through? When children of God show gentleness to them, they can be free to learn, grow, be forgiven and get back into fellowship with Christ or, if needed, they can make it real. But, if we children of God are judgmental, harsh, non forgiving, pointing fingers and bashing, we’ve just pushed them further away from the truth.
But, do we know who will accept Christ and who will not? Only God Himself knows that answer.
Should we accept what we know is wrong? No. We need to be strong in Gods word. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
I am not even remotely suggesting we need to compromise our beliefs and water down the gospel. That’s definitely not a loving thing to do. Nor is that at all gentle.
Hell is a real place, it wasn’t meant for us, it was meant for satan. And he wants to bring as many people with him as possible. And we all mess up! By using our God given gentle strength we can be the light, the Holy Spirit can flow through us and people can see Christ and be saved from the clutches of Hell.
We can teach, share, encourage the truth. We can protect ourselves and our children and stay away from the evil. We can be honest and tell, gently yet strong, that we know what is wrong and refuse to be involved with the sin. (Let’s call it what it is, If it’s against God, it’s sin)
But if we spend all our energy and focus on telling others they are wrong, we fail to strengthen our own relationships and walk with our Savior. And until we have that perfected, we can not say anything in judgment to anyone else. And yes this does trigger people to be defensive and we need to again be strong, filled with the Holy Spirit to respond in gentle truth.
Oh, what did you say? We’ll never get it perfected?
Exactly my point.
Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with Gods Gentleness.
A Gentleness beyond our understanding!
Real genuine Gentleness. Letting go, letting the Holy Spirit Fill Us. Let’s let go and let the Holy Spirit flow Geniuine Gentleness through us. Don’t try, don’t force, don’t pretend, just let.
If some of you reading this want to know how to become a child of God, private message me or comment below. God loves us all and gave His Son for all!
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away anger,
Isaiah 40:11 He protects His flock like a shepherd;
He gathers the lambs in His arms