This is my entry into the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival, hosted by the wonderful Bridget Chumbley. Check out the other entries here: Gentleness.
Gentleness
Gentleness is a Fruit of the Spirit, according to the biblical book of Galatians.
The simplest way I can come up with to describe what the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ means is the way your life changes by being a Christian and having the Holy Spirit walking with you and helping you grow to be more like Christ.
So, are Christians known for their gentleness?
I suspect that generally, to people outside of the Church, they’re not.
Many of us in the Church may think differently and I can personally testify that I know a lot of people who display gentleness – but too many of us display it at all the wrong times.
Where is the gentleness in the way that we people who commit our favorite ‘worst sins’?
I don’t see the Church out there in the world gently loving people but rather I see it attacking and protesting.
Jesus demonstrated to us how to be firm and uncompromising yet loving and gentle with people (see the woman at the well, for example) and when it’s appropriate to be less gentle and soft (for example, when he called the pharisees a ‘brood of vipers‘).
Somehow though, we just don’t seem to know how to exercise the right gentleness at the right time. When a Christian leader falls into sin (and out of favor) we are all to quick to jump on them and tear them apart ignoring the gentleness of spirit which should temper our reactions. Then at other times, for example when someone feels convicted about their walk with Christ (see my post from yesterday and the telling comments by Vanity of Vanities) we are often too gentle and try to sugar-coat the situation. Instead of helping them explore what they are feeling and hearing, we gently coddle them back down into apathy with the rest of us.
We should be known as gentle people. It should be easy to spot the Christians in any workplace, group or community because of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives but, sadly, that’s often not the case.
Today I want to implore you (and me) to learn to use gentleness more, and in the right ways.
It’s not optional.
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Not optional.
Indeed, when should we even try to offer as an excuse for lack of spiritual fruit that "I gotta be me"? Each of Christ's followers is to be like Him. Is there anything in our Lord we wouldn't want to imitate?
That whole 'I gotta be me' or 'that's just who I am' thing winds me up something chronic!
Gentleness is not an option, but it something that "happens as a result of." There are good lessons all over this post, Peter. (and it is a gentle post.)
Thanks, Glynn. I appreciate you!
Wow — thanks Peter for the reminder to move through gentleness — no matter what is happening in the world around me.
You're welcome, Louise. Have a gentle day!
Yep, boycott boycotting – support instead. :>)
-Marshall Jones Jr.
I think we should start protesting outside churches that lead protests 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Marshall.
It isn't an option… so true. If we could learn to use gentleness in the right ways… wow!
We have such a perfect example in our Lord… but our humanness (stubbornness) makes it difficult to imitate.
Great post, Peter.
Thanks, Bridget.
Sometimes I wish I wasn't so… human!
"Today I want to implore you (and me) to learn to use gentleness more, and in the right ways. It’s not optional."
Yep, you are absolutely right Peter! Great post! 🙂
Thought-provoking and honest- great post. I know what you mean about gentleness at the wrong times. I've been very guilty of not wanting to hurt someone's feelings so I don't speak to the source of the problem and it's not all right. That's not true gentleness or love. Sometimes love helps us confront the blockages in our lives or even others lives. Gentleness is of great importance of these situations, but we have to understand what it really means.
Thanks, Peter.
Thanks, Jason.
Great post Peter, thanks!
You're welcome. Thanks for taking the time to comment
It's interesting to explore the various meanings attached to "gentleness" in different versions of the Bible. In some versions, "meekness" is used instead of "gentleness" but the meaning is not pejorative.
Thoughtful and perceptive post, Peter.
Thanks, Maureen!
I think gentleness is important, but truth should be the undergirding motivation. Both are necessary — don't be so "truthful" to those outside the faith that you aid in excluding them forever. You must be gentle and loving first. But then, don't be so "gentle" to those within the Church that you avoid the truth. Truth is uncomfortable sometimes.
Amen
we don't see believers being gentle, because it IS gentleness.
gentleness does not get in your face.
gentleness happens below the worldly radar.
one has to be very aware actually see it happen.
it's happens like a flower blooming, like grass growing,
like a butterfly passing by.
it happens in small quiet moments.
like the look in someone's eyes.
like a smile…
the touch of a hand.
gentleness does not blare in the streets,
it's not featured on the 11 o'clock news,
that is why we see people that are attacking,
greedy, mean, and loud.
these things get our attention easily.
that is why we don't usually see gentleness.
if we want to see gentleness…like you say, in the church.
then we must redirect our attention.
maybe that is part of the fruit of the Spirit…to be able to see gentleness.
Too true and too sad. We're working on it though! Thanks for the post, Peter.
Wow–I never considered the timeliness of gentle/not gentle. Two thoughts:
I agree that we're much too harsh with outsiders. That's not how Jesus treated them.
When confrontation is appropriate, do we confuse "gentle" with "weak?" It's possible to be gentle AND direct, but I'm not very good at it.
Grest thoughts.
I loved this, Peter. It's tough to find that truthful gentleness sometimes. I need to work on that one.