Thursday, April 25, 2024

Fruit of Spirit – Gentleness

Prayer – Lord, I want to be known as a gentle person. Mold me and make me into one who is not only reverent to You, but compassionate and caring for Your followers, helping those who are lost to find You amidst this chaotic life that is spinning around us.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

 

Meditate. Consider the quality of gentleness.

 

Gentleness is considered meekness, mild disposition, and humility. That is a humbling thought. We all need to be humble before the Lord—the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. Jesus was such a humble, gentle, and compassionate person. Except for the time He “cleansed” the Temple of the moneychangers, we don’t see Him raising His voice or His hand to anyone. Well, he may have raised His voice to some of the Pharisees with the words He had for them…but we don’t see that recorded in any of the Gospels.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NLT

Don't cast your pearls before swine.
Nor rely on jewelry
...to show your gentle spirit.
Just humbly submit to the Lord.


Peter gives us an insightful comment on women’s beauty associated with a gentle spirit.

Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT

This gentle spirit is also described in the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31 who is wise and kind.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Proverbs 31:25-26 NLT

All Christians are to be ready to give a gentle and respectful explanation for the hope that they have in Christ Jesus as their Savior.

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! 1 Peter 3:13-17 NLT (Underlined for emphasis.)

Can you gently tell others about your hope in Christ?

 

Verse of Salvation ~ (Read in context of Chapters Five and Six of Hebrews.) Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don't believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance. Hebrews 6:9-12 NLT

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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