The Fruit Of The Spirit
Part 8 - Gentleness
Galatians 5:22-23 ⇨ “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” ⇨ The “fruit” or “result” of a close relationship with the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruit that grows is a reflection of our relationship with God ⇨ Matthew 7:16-20 ⇨ “By their fruit you will recognize them…”
When diving into different bible translations, notice these three words and way of being are used interchangeably ⇨ Gentleness, Humility, Meekness.
“Gentleness” ⇨ Greek ⇨ “praútēs” ⇨ Meek. In society, we see meekness as being quiet, weak and at times even a push over. In God’s Kingdom, to be meek is not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to his fellow man or his mere natural disposition. Rather, it is an inner grace of the soul, and the expressions of it are primarily toward God.
How we are with others, is a reflection of how we are with God.
So to be gentle, meek and humble, it does not mean you are to walk around weak and as a doormat, it’s about having the awareness and self control to walk each day balanced in between two extremes of expression.
Ephesians 4:2 (AMP) talks about Gentleness with our fellow brothers and sisters, unity:
with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another [a]in [unselfish] love.
Being and coming from a place of Gentleness towards God and others is critical when it comes to living life’s purpose.
The 4 Benefits of Living Out Gentleness
1. Receive
Balance Born In Strength and Character
Gentleness is not weakness—it’s strength under control, showing meekness and humility in all situations.
In the bible, it tells us gentleness is a source of great strength and influence in the life of a believer.
Look at some examples of powerful influence here:
Jesus: Jesus demonstrated incredible power through His miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, and calming storms. With this power, Jesus still led with gentleness and compassion especially to those who are suffering.
Matthew 11:28-30 ⇨ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Esther: Queen Esther had significant influence and power as the wife of the King of Persia. She used her position and power to save her people, the Jews from genocide.
Joseph: After being sold into slavery by his brothers, rose to a position of power in Egypt, becoming the second-in-command to Pharaoh. He still forgave his brothers and showed mercy when they needed help.
2. Gain True
Self-Control
Proverbs 16:32 ⇨ “Better a patient person than a warrior, those with self-control than those who take a city.”
Titus 3:2 ⇨ “To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
True Wisdom does not come from controlling, over taking or conquering other people. Patience and Gentleness will win over people and situations more so that force can. Isn’t it better to have people choose to walk with you or work with you vs. forcing them, which creates resentment over time.
When we show strength under control, it is a sign of spiritual maturity and self-discipline. With this, we can be a vessel for peace and harmony.
This talks about how we choose to interact with the body of Christ and others in our life.
Colossians 3:12-13 ⇨ “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
James 3:13-18 ⇨ “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
3. Experience
By Doing Good Works (God’s Work)
1 Peter 3:15 ⇨ “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Proverbs 15:1 ⇨”A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
How we show up and communicate is key to showing people who God really is. When we choose to be harsh, impatient, or even rude and selfish, we aren’t reflecting the true heart of our Heavenly Father. Understanding we are human and will never be perfect, yet we can make moment to moment choices. These choices include apologizing and getting back onto common ground with others if you were in the wrong, especially with God. Remember, He loves you and is loving and merciful.
4.
Souls
Attitude Of Your Spirit
James 1:21 ⇨ “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” The word “humbly” here implies a gentleness of spirit—being open and teachable to God’s message, which is the first step in the process of salvation.
Romans 12:21 ⇨ “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Galatians 6:1 ⇨ Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
The Bible teaches that gentleness is not just about being passive, but that it is a source for Power, True Wisdom, Victory and Salvation. Gentleness reflects the transforming power of God’s love. It moves us from cycles of destruction to the softening of our hearts and drawing closer to Christ.
By practicing and living out gentleness, we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, cultivate inner peace, and save our souls from this broken world.
We are reminded that all fruits including Gentleness are empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is not something we can fulfill on our own.
If you are struggling with this fruit of Gentleness or even the other fruits, you can ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and to give you what you need to change. Change can be hard, yet with God, nothing is impossible. We just need to ask, do our part and wait on him.
Luke 11:9-10 ⇨ “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.