Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

When we hold a newborn baby, we gently cradle the infant, this perfect gift from heaven.  When a loved one is preparing to pass on, we sit beside that person’s bedside and gently hold his/her hand.

But, do we use gentleness in our hearts and actions throughout the rest of our lives?

Dictionary.com describes gentleness as:

there is nothing as sweet as the gentleness of holding a newborn

  1. Kindly; amiable
  2. To tame, render tractable
  3. To make gentle
  4. To stroke; soothe or pet

Prautes is the Greek word for gentleness, which is also referred to as meekness.

Barnes Notes on the New Testament saysThe word means goodness, kindness, benignity; and is opposed to a harsh, crabbed, crooked temper. It is a disposition to be pleased; it is mildness of temper, calmness of spirit, an unruffled disposition, and a disposition to treat all with urbanity and politeness. This is one of the regular effects of the Spirit’s operations on the heart. Religion makes no one crabbed, and morose, and sour. It sweetens the temper; corrects an irritable

Gentleness softens our hearts, thoughts and attitudes

disposition; makes the heart kind; disposes us to make all around us as happy as possible. This is true politeness: a kind of politeness which can far better be learned in the school of Christ than in that of Chesterfield; by the study of the New Testament than under the direction of the dancing-master.”

The New Spirit Filled Life Bible defines gentleness as  “a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control. The word is best translated ‘meekness,’ not as an indication of weakness, but of power and strength under control. The person who possesses this quality pardons injury, corrects faults, and rules his own spirit well”.

So, what does scripture say about gentleness?

 

  1. “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
  2. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” Ephesians 4:2

    Are you humble and gentle?

  3. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11
  4. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth  2 Timothy 24-25
  5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Where does your gentleness come from?

 

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Pictures courtesy of Pixabay.com and FreeBibleImages.org

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