The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
1. What do you think of when you hear the word gentleness?
Synonyms - Gentleness is often translated kindness or meekness
Opposites – violent, quarrelsome
…not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome… (1 Timothy 3:3, description of a bishop/pastor)
The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind (gentle KJV) to everyone. 2 Timothy 2:24
Focus on the Family describes gentleness as follows:
• Gentleness is a strong hand with a soft touch.
• Gentleness is a tender, compassionate approach toward others’ weaknesses, and limitations.
• A gentle person speaks the truth even painful truth in a way others can receive.
Gentleness of God
Hosea 11:4 I led them (Israelites) with cords of kindness (gentle cords NKJV), with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.
2 Samuel 22:36 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and Your gentleness made me great. (David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. Vs 1)
Also recorded in Psalm 18:35 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.
Jesus Demonstrated Gentleness
The Old Testament told us the Messiah would be unusually gentle. “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.” Isaiah 42:3
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Paul Demonstrated Gentleness
2 Corinthians 10:2 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…
1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we (Paul and his companions) were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
Gentleness Under Authority
Titus 3:1-7 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (WHY?) For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. (WHAT HAPPENED TO CHANGE US?) But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that (RESULTS) being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
1 Peter 2:18-19 Servants (employees), be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
Impact of Gentle Words
Psalm 15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft (gentle NKJV) answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 25:15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft (gentle NKJV) tongue will break a bone.
2. What do these verses tell us about the importance of gentle words?
Being gentle does not mean that you back away from speaking the truth. Gentleness means that you speak the truth while showing incredible respect and understanding to the person to which you are speaking. (Focus on the Family)
A Gentle Testimony
1 Peter 3:15-16 In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
3. Are you prepared to give “a reason for the hope that is in you” in a gentle and respectful manner?”
Repentance through Gentleness
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind (gentle KJV) to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness (meekness KJV). 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.
Restoration through Gentleness
Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
4. Have you ever guided someone to a restored relationship with God by addressing wrong actions with gentleness?
Unity, Harmony and Peace through Gentleness
Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness (gentleness NIV), and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
James 3:13,16-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom (He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness, HCSB). For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
5. Does your life reflect “works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness”?
Beauty Through Gentleness
1 Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
Called to Pursue Gentleness
1 Timothy 6:11-12 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.
Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. NKJV
6. Would people who know you well call you gentle?
7. What can you do to draw closer to the source of gentleness?
