Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit
Gentleness/Kindness
Galatians 5:22-25
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Today we look at two Fruit of the spirit that truly seem to be forgotten characteristics: Gentleness and Kindness. I know that’s a disparaging remark, but it truly does seem so rare nowadays, that you almost find yourself surprised when someone conveys true, unmotivated, gentleness and kindness towards you. “Wow, what a nice guy!”
Its’ sad, but true, because these Fruit of the Spirit, just like all the others, are not natural human traits.
When you think of kindness, chances are that one of the first names that comes to mind is Mister Rogers. A year or two before Fred Roger’s death someone in Philadelphia where he lived stole his car. The news media got a hold of the story and before long all the local TV stations were broadcasting the story. Thousands of Philadelphia citizens saw the story, including the thief who stole the car. This criminal had dealt with his own share of difficult times, but he knew that when he was small Fred Rogers had been a positive influence on him.
Within 48 hours the car was back in the spot where he left it, along with a note saying "If we’d known it was yours, we never would have taken it!" (www.sermoncentral.com)
So what does it mean to have the Fruit of Gentleness and Kindness evident in our own lives? Let’s discover together.
- Prayer
1. The Gentle Spirit…
Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Every week we begin by defining the word of the Fruit we are studying, but this week I want to give you a word in place of gentleness:
A. Gentleness can be defined as meekness.
KJV Gal 5:23: Meekness = Gentleness
Do you want to be meek? What image does that conjure up?
Meekness: 1 showing mildness or quietness of nature 2 showing submissiveness and lack of initiative or will
The KJV by translating the word as “meek” has led many people to an unfortunate misunderstanding of this virtue. Paul meant “the fruit of power,” but the English definition of the word “meekness” depicts someone who is weak and wimpy.
Paul’s concept was a person who has strength under control; “meekness” implies a weak person who acts timidly because he cannot help himself. If we switch from “meek” to “gentle” we have improved the situation, but we still have not caught the real force of the word.
The Greeks used this word to describe strong animals that were brought under control.
In fact, in the College Press Commentary:
Aristotle spoke of the “easy-tempered and easily domesticated” elephant; and Plato described a mighty and strong beast which could be tamed and fed by a man who learned how to handle it. Barclay says the best illustration is the watchdog “who is bravely hostile to strangers and gently friendly with familiars whom he knows and loves.”
There is something we need to understand when we speak of gentleness or meekness.
B. “Meekness is not weakness.”
- Robert Harold Schuller
It is not the cowering man, afraid of everything. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
There are two individuals in the Bible who are described as meek:
Moses
Numbers 12:3 (KJV)
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Jesus
Matthew 11:29 (NLT)
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
2 Corinthians 10:1 (NLT)
Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.
I find it interesting that Paul has to explain himself here, because even then meekness is seen as cowering, and people think he talks bigger when he’s away. But in essence, Paul is saying he is chasing after Jesus’ meekness!
Both display the obedient response to the reins of a good horse, the gentle strength of an elephant, the ferocious courage of a watchdog to guard his master’s property. Their “meekness” was not weakness; it was a heart surrendered to God, a teachable spirit, a gentle strength.
(College Press Commentary)
Gentleness is power under control, it is power under God’s control. The domesticated animal allows the master to control them, we allow God to have control of us.
Gentleness is that attitude of spirit we accept God’s dealings with us as good and do not dispute or resist.
The Life Application Bible states concerning gentleness: Gentleness—Humble, considerate of others, submissive to God and his Word. Even when anger is the appropriate response, as when Jesus cleared the temple, gentleness keeps the expression of anger headed in the right direction. Gentleness applies even force in the correct way.
When Jesus exhibited anger as he cleansed the temple, His anger sprouted from the fact that the money changers were making God look bad by cheating the people they dealt with in God’s house.
A gentle person is even-tempered, but they are not some weakling who is afraid to do anything. They do not lack “initiative” like the English definition says.
2. A Kind Heart
“One day a student asked anthropologist Margaret Mead for the earliest sign of civilization in a given culture. He expected the answer to be a clay pot or perhaps a fish hook or grinding stone. Her answer was, “a healed femur.’ Mead explained that no healed femurs are found where the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest reigns. A healed femur shows that someone cared. Someone had to do that injured person’s hunting and gathering until the leg healed. The evidence of compassion is the first sign of civilization”
When you look up kindness, it says “the practice of being or capability to be sympathetic and compassionate”. But I actually think this is only half of the definition of kindness.
Romans 12:14-15 (NLT)
If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.
You see it’s not just looking at someone and feeling sorry for them; it is acting on that compassion!
A. Follow Jesus’ Example
When he was leaving Jericho one day, two blind men cried out to Him, and “He had compassion on them and touched their eyes” [Matthew 20:34].
In Luke 7 we see Jesus’ unending compassion in His meeting with the Widow of Nain, who was on her way to bury her only son:
“When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. 14 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” 15 Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
Now obviously we do not have the same power, but we should be quick to develop the Fruit of Kindness.
Those whom Jesus touched in compassion and kindness would never be the same again. His personal touch of kindness was a turning point in their lives. Kindness changes lives!
1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”
We must follow Jesus in personal acts of kindness in our relationships with others, even those who are our enemies and those who will not be grateful for our ministry.
In Scripture the word kindness stems from a root that means, “To furnish what is needed.” Kindness is caring for others. Sometimes we think of kindness in terms of pity or sympathy, but kindness on the part of the Christian Disciple is much wider in scope. You see, it is not enough to simply express feelings of sympathy for those who hurt; a kind disciple sees the hurt, the pain, the distress, the discomfort of others and takes action to alleviate the suffering. A kind Christian is not satisfied by simply offering words of encouragement; he or she takes action and helps. Kindness “furnishes what is needed.”
- Rev. David Reynolds
3. A Nice Person; a Disciple of Christ!
Somewhere my creative writing teacher is cringing at the sound of the word “nice”. But it seems that a Gentle Spirit and a Kind Heart are traits of “nice people” right? But I would say that they are requirements for Disciples of Christ.
James 3:17 (NIV)
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
For some of us, it is a Spiritual Gift, or something that comes naturally. But there are those of us who are not naturally nice. These are fruit that we need to cultivate.
A. Submissiveness to the will of God
Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT)
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Again we have Christ’s example to follow. He knew God’s will and submitted to it. And just as we saw examples of domesticated animals, meekness is knowing the power we have (God’s), and controlling it to what God would have us do.
B. Have a teachable Spirit.
James 1:21 (NLT)
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
Understand this is a daily process sometimes. When we reach a point where we feel in control, or having learned all we need, we’ve reached a dangerous place.
We are a constant state of editing, and God is never done working on us.
C. Consider others
Ephesians 4:1-2 (NLT)
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Look out for someone other than yourself! Treat your enemies with kindness. Be a reflection of the Love that Christ has given you!
List Examples I have seen in the church
Ephesians 2:4-7 (NLT)
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
- Prayer
