Let’s begin our discussion with the best example of pure gentleness – Jesus! Gentleness, as portrayed by Christ, is not weakness but actually controlled strength. His life and ministry exemplified spiritual gentleness – not getting easily frazzled or offended. It’s taking a deep breath, focusing on the truth and interacting with others and the Spirit with an open heart.
Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes.
1 Peter 3:3-4
When researching this fruit of the Spirit, these words were found to help define gentleness: teachable, submissive to the Lord, humble, aware, and repentant. In addition, the opposite of living with gentleness is being easily offended.
Gentleness gives such a stark contrast to our culture today as those around us almost take pride in getting offended, pursuing self-help, believing their way is right, taking charge, and only surrounding themselves with like-minded people. May we stand out as gentle people producing loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, and faithful fruit. And may our message be one of remaining in the Vine, always acknowledging our fruit and strength and power come from the Lord.
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 TIMOTHY 2:24-26
Here are some gentle truths from two of my favorite authors. As Beth Moore says, let’s leave condemnation to God and conviction to the Holy Spirit. And as Lisa Bevere states, like the lioness, let’s be at ease with strength and at rest with power.
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
ISAIAH 30:15
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Burning Bright! 