GENTLENESS
Dear yellow reader,
I trust that you are doing well.
I have had an interesting week, and I look forward to the weekend. Tell me in the comments if you do too.
Today, I am writing to you about an essential FRUIT for every believer; GENTLENESS.
In Galatians 5:22–23, the Bible records Gentleness as one of the fruits the Holy Spirit produces in our lives, as He works in us to be more like Christ.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law against these things!” — Galatians 5:22–23.
In today’s world, gentleness may be perceived as a weakness. As if to be gentle or meek is to let others take you for granted.
Gentleness involves humility and thankfulness toward God. And polite, kind behavior toward others.
Gentleness can be described as strength under control. It is might restraint, humility, and grace.
This is the gentleness that the Scriptures describe in God and His servants. It involves submission to the Lord in all of His word and works and cultivating a softness of heart toward other people.
To be gentle is to give God total control of our lives. We admit that we cannot do life on our own and acknowledge that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:8–9.
Gentleness is to humbly accept God’s worldview, about spiritual and material things.
When we walk in gentleness, we will correct others with kindness instead of arguing in anger. Because we know that their salvation is far more important than our pride.
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.” — 2 Timothy 2:24.
We will forgive readily because any offense toward us is nothing compared to our offenses against God — which He has already forgiven (Matthew 18:21–35).
Gentleness doesn’t mean going easy on people and trying to justify what God calls sin.
Apostle Paul says; “If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path” — Galatians 6:1.
It means to teach them lovingly and encouragingly about the holiness God has called us into.
Gentleness means adopting a position where we effectively place ourselves third on the list. God first and then others before ourselves. It can be a bit difficult. But the good news is, we have Jesus to model.
“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.” — Matthew 11:29.
I pray the Lord helps us to yield to the Holy Spirit, and walk more in gentleness.
Till I write to you again,
All my love,
Oluwabukola 💛
