S4P8 – The fruit of gentleness

Gal 5: 22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

The gentle person is meek, mild, and humble.  He exercises control of the power within him.  In Peter’s first letter to the Jewish Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor, he states that it is with gentleness that they should be prepared to give an answer for the reason for their hope.  They were not to browbeat anyone into following the truth.  They were not to lord their faith over non-believers.  They were to mildly and humbly answer even the most malicious inquisitors.

Although the fruit of gentleness is itself a blessing, its practice brings additional blessing.  Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount that blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  We know who will inherit the earth; the children of God will inherit the earth.  This means that the children of God are expected to be meek, or gentle.  Our gentleness is a sign that we are his children.  An attitude of humility shows that we understand Jesus’ teaching that the servant cannot be greater than his master.  As Jesus was humble, we are to be humble.  As Jesus was gentle, we are to be gentle.

The Lord was gentle in his teaching and in his treatment of people, and He requires that we be gentle as well.  Even in the face of our enemies who desire to malign us, we are to respond humbly and meekly.  This is power under control.  Sound spiritual discernment will tell us when we are at risk of responding any other way.  Sound spiritual discipline will keep us connected to the Holy Spirit, enabling us to operate in gentleness always.  Father, fill us with gentleness so that we may deal humbly with others and show them Christ as He would show himself.