If you have been following me for the last month, then you are aware that each month, I will be focusing on a specific trait from The Fruit of the Spirit and this month it’s Gentleness (Meekness).
The King James Bible translation use the word Meekness in Galatians 5:23 however, most modern bibles translate it Gentleness.
Whether Meekness in the King James version or Gentleness in the more modern versions, it’s a Christ-like character that all believers should demonstrate.
The dictionary defines Gentleness as “the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.”
As believers, the Gentleness that the Fruit of the Spirit speaks about is one that shows humility and submissiveness to the will of God, while treating others with empathy, politeness and compassion.
What does the scripture say about Gentleness?
As previously stated, Matthew 5:5 speaks about the submissiveness to the will of God. While James 1:21 reminds us that a person who is meek is teachable.
Our brothers and sisters at Corinth were given a choice by the Apostle Paul, to visit them with a rod or with love and the spirit of gentleness (1 Corinthians 4:21).
The Apostle Paul demonstrated this attitude in 2 Corinthians 10:1 saying, “myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent”
In other words, as a child of God, when we pursue and put on Gentleness, we can then display this type of attitude when we interact with others.
It’s the type of attitude that is other people centered, putting their needs above our pride, displeasure or anger.
Jesus example of Gentleness
Jesus did this on several occasions, one of which was the woman that was caught in adultery in John 8:1-11. He could have easily side with the Pharisees and stone her to death according to the Mosaic law.
However, his attitude towards her was one of compassion and Gentleness which looks beyond her faults and saw her need for a savior by ultimately telling her to go and sin no more.
Gentleness is a Fruit of the Spirit, which can only derive from being in tune with the Spirit.
One way of staying in tune with the Spirit of God is to stay in the word of God, because the more of the word is in us, the more of the world is being push out of us, thus making it easier for us to demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit.
"Let your Gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near" Philippians 4:5
Finally my fellow Saints in Light
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all now until he comes.
God Bless You!