GENTLENESS

"Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:5

What do you think of when you hear the word  “gentleness” – timid, weak, mild, wimpish?  The use of “gentleness” in the “Fruit of the Spirit,” also translated as “meekness,” is quite different from these thesaurus synonyms – more like an older meaning in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – “enduring injury with patience and without resentment.”

It reveals how a Christian should be in himself with overtones of his spiritual and moral reliability. Someone who is submissive, yielding and long-suffering – a person who sets his mind on God’s purpose and not his own comfort, ambition or reputation exhibits the gentleness of Christ.

Gentleness is both an internal attitude of mind and heart and an external behavior in conduct and correction. It is not without power, but includes true humility and restraint coupled with strength and courage. It is never a cowardly retreat from reality or refusal to use God given talents and abilities for His glory.

Additional verses for this week:
Matthew 5:5
Colossians 3:12-14
Ephesians 4:2-6
I Timothy 6:11-12
Titus 3:1-2
I Peter 3:3-4

                                        Joyce