Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. I'm Christina, a mom of three who is passionate about helping Christian parents and caregivers tend to their children with the full character of Jesus, including his gentleness. Gentleness is more than just being nice and kind and caring towards others; its actually the quality of God Himself who has been poured out into our hearts by His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. "Paul to TimothyII Timothy 2: 2KJV, We have Ads Running on this site. Ill be blunt and say that one of the best things you can do to grow in a spirit of gentleness would be to turn off the 24-hour news stations and talk radio. Unfortunately, sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we can become more focused on getting things done than on being kind to the ones we love. When we celebrate leaders who get things done but do so in a way entirely contrary to Christ, we are tainting our hearts. They are often areas where we carry deep wounds and trauma from our past. We're more likely to listen and understand others when we're gentle. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will have the fruit of gentleness in our lives. Gentleness on the other hand, deals with the way that one regards others. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. We're also more likely to receive blessings from God. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. Is it? Notice especially controlled strength. Gentleness is power under control. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Gentleness means taking into account someone or something's well being. People will see Jesus in us when we are gentle. Join us here for a short study on gentleness in the bible and how to live it out. It's a beauty that cannot fade away. unkindness. In accord with the prophecy, he enters Jerusalem in gentleness and lowliness ( Matt 21:5 ). Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We could all use some extra tips for living out gentleness these days. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Against such things there is no law. It can be difficult to remain gentle when we have been hurt, but it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that nobody is perfect. The New Testament is full of examples of Jesus gentleness. In the OT its often translated humbleas in Psalm 24:9, 33:3, 75:10, 146:6, and 149:4. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. Seek counseling or therapy if youre struggling to let go of the pain. That king, now come in the flesh, is "gentle and humble in heart" ( Matt 11:29 ). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Matthew 18:21-35. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Some people would say that peace is the opposite of war, when there is no fighting or violence. It is used in the OT to show God as being a kind and benevolent ruler. When we think about gentleness, we often think about it as a weakness. It's about how we treat others, even when they don't treat us well. May we never forget the pit of sin the Lord dragged us from and become like the unmerciful servant. However, Scripture reminds us that we are called to be gentle with others, even in the midst of difficult times. To have gentleness is to have a gentle spirit or nature about you. In order to be gentle, we must not view ourselves as better than someone else. When Jesus needed to not be interupted, he went off to a place to pray- my sons understand when I am in my room with the door closed. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. God wants children to learn obedience to Him through their parents. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The opposite of gentleness might be rudeness, being mean, or not considering other people's feelings. Paul appeals to believers "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" ( 2 Cor 10:1 ). Pride and self-assertionthe opposite of gentlenessruled in the hearts of the Jewish leaders. Now, it's not to say that, if things are not peaceful, then war won't exist. However, there are many situations for which it requires great strength of character and self-control to be gentle. Scripture says for a woman to have that internal heart attitude of meekness or gentleness and a quiet spirit gives her a beauty that is imperishable. Not only does it mean being kind to people who are kind to you, but also it means being kind even when someone isnt nice back! Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics. It stands in contrast to baseness ( Deuteronomy 28:54 Deuteronomy 28:56 ), harshness ( 2 Sam 18:5 ), and wildness ( Job 41:3 ). There is a strong connection in the bible between gentleness and the power of words. Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered, or feels the need for revenge. And once again the Lord is working for their rescue. A common misconception is that gentleness is weakness or passivity. We need His help to be gentle! Galatians 5:22-23. In addition, it is important to acknowledge the ways in which God is gentle with us. In many languages, gentleness and meekness are equated with gentle speech. The biblical concept of gentleness is based on the idea that humans are made in the image of God and are therefore to be treated with dignity and respect. Photo credit: Getty Images/Oleksandr Yakoniuk. The Bible is filled with examples of gentleness, both from God and from Jesus. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. The gentleness of our God has the attributes of love, grace, mercy as well as judgment. "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children."1 Thessalonians 2:7 What is the opposite of gentleness? Yet, he is gentle with us. Why is it important for Christians to be gentle? The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is self-control. He is gentle with you. You canread my full affiliate disclosure here. It seems to be synonymous with being a good person. 8. The Lord is near. And they bring the gospel of peace with gentleness and love, not harshness. By showing gentleness towards others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and set an example for others to follow. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus is explaining why we should embrace His way of life. A soft Answer shows us Gods Gentleness and points us toward the tree of life. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 4. How is God gentle? All rights reserved. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. This means more "that which is fitting, right, and equitable." These two qualities seem to go together. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Paul showed kindness and gentleness toward those who persecuted him (see Acts 23). Gentleness helps us experience Jesus. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Such an invitation, from such a person, is precious beyond words. It's the opposite of anger and harshness. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? This means that when gentleness exists in your life, its because God has planted it there. To be gentle means showing love and care for others in how you act and speak. 1915. An example of gentleness can be seen in John 8, when the Pharisees bring a woman who was caught in adultery to Jesus. Note that the Catholic church includes a few additional fruits as part of tradition, listing 12: It is the ability to be kind and loving even in the face of adversity. Finding healing in those wounds can often help us to respond with gentleness instead of harshness. considerateness.5 The Interpreter's Bible says it is the opposite of hubris, the Greek word for haughty, boastful inso-lence.6 To try to understand gentleness further, let us go through the passages in the Bible where the Greek word prautes is used. Instead, gentleness is a strength that comes from God. It is the opposite of harshness and roughness. One example is found in 1 Peter 3:4-5: But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious., Another example is found in Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.. Doing so creates a closer connection and will save you from needless hardships in your relationships. But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). I am too busy to listen to my child's story. Thank God for His forgiveness and grace extended to you, no matter how much you may deserve it.. Be encouraged that He will help you extend that same grace to others, even when its difficult. Gentle words wield great power ( Prov 15:1 ; 25:15 ). It is shown in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25) Then, Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the jail were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyones chains were unfastened. (Acts 16:26) The jailer woke up, and saw that the prison doors were open. When Jesus said Blessed are the meek, He was not talking about people who are doormats or pushovers. You can prevent inciting anger by choosing to respond with gentleness. Consider how you talk to yourself. I justified it as being 64 and still having children at home (Intellectually challenged). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. There are many benefits to being gentle. Verse 2, "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.". It can only tell us what we should not do and why its wrong. Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. 2 Corinthians 10:1 uses the meekness and gentleness (kindness) of Christ as an example for his own pattern. 11 Points: How Did Aaron Die in the Bible? The Oxford Dictionary defines gentleness as, "the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered." Kindness is literally a part of gentleness; the two are intertwined, and therefore when one is portrayed, so is the other. The opposite of gentleness is anger, a desire for revenge, and self-importance. of We may not realize it, but we are graced a tremendous amount of power. 5:16, 22-23) . But gentleness is also opposed to lazy apathy and insensitivity. Check Out Amazon Educational Resources on The Spirit of Gentleness. We take those $ and give them to developing our Children's Programs. That word is gentleness. Be considerate of others feelings and needs. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" ( Gal 5:22-23 ), a cluster of qualities each of which reinforces and finds expression in the others. What is the definition of gentleness? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Online Christian Articles and Information Hub. Listen more than you speak or act (James 1:19). Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem entitled "The Village Blacksmith" gives us a wonderful demonstration of genuine gentleness. . These verses can be applied to any relationship or interaction with have with others. Before we can begin to unpack what it means to have gentleness we must first look into the meaning of the word. The Bible is replete with commands for us to be gentle. The Holy Spirit wants us to cultivate this fruit of gentleness in our lives. Salem Media Group. In most of these instances it is used to indicate the one who will be taught by the LORD, is lifted up by the LORD, who will be adorned with salvation and saved. The word was also used to describe the meekness of Moses in Numbers 12:3, and in Psalm 36:11 it is the meek who will inherit the earth. Being gentle makes others more willing to listen to you. He could have called down twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didnt. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Another pair of opposites in the Bible is innocence and guilt. If you are looking for a more in-depth gentleness bible study, there are many bible study tools and bible dictionaries to help you. In this blog post, we will explore a few examples of gentleness from the Bible. We need to be intentional about showing our spouse gentleness. Gentleness, also translated "meekness," does not mean weakness. Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on examples of gentleness in the bible, goodness definition bible, bible characters who showed gentleness, and so much more. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. Cruelty and unkindness. We are to exercise our spiritual strength in love. General Editor. The bible verses are quoted below in the NIV version, but if you click the links, you can see the verse in other translations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Online Christian Articles and Information Hub. Gentleness is the quality or characteristic of being kind, tender, mild-mannered, compassionate, and considerate. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? What does this look like? The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. Gentleness is when the stronger restrain their strength for the sake of the weaker. But for me, it was quite revelatory. Gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world. One of the most important lessons we can teach our children is gentleness. Why is it important for us to follow Gods example of gentleness? Proud member Paul showed kindness and gentleness toward those who persecuted him (see Acts 23). The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. . Posted On mayo 20, 2021 Round table will begin shortly after services. Its not a weakness, but a strength. 7. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. The opposite of peace is not war, it's fear. It requires humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, kind behavior towards others. . Galatians 5 . The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is peace? By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. The New Testament. By modeling Gods character in our own lives, we give our children the best possible foundation for a happy and successful future. He was a rough man by trade, but when it came to leading men to Christ, he employed great gentleness. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. But thats not what the Bible talks about when it talks about gentleness. Gentleness is an important quality for Christians to develop if they want to be effective in spreading Gods Word and helping others come closer to Christ. Below are a few examples of how to practice this virtue in your life. I get upset easily and raise my voice. Wives should seek "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" ( 1 Peter 3:4 ). What does it look like to be gentle? 5 Steps to Achieving the Fruit of Gentleness (or Meekness) that Leads to Blessedness. Far from dismissing gentleness, the Scriptures speak of gentleness as the way the kingdom of God "gets things done.". It was a failure, and he tore up a good deal of potential evidence. The word gentleness in this context comes from the Greek word (prautes), which conveys the concepts of mildness, meekness or softness. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. To understand what gentleness looks like in practice, lets look at some examples from scripture: Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. It is important to have an accurate perception of what gentleness is. But the more I study, the more I find that gentleness is one of the chief Christian virtues. Not only does it mean being kind to people who are kind to you, but also it means being kind even when someone isnt nice back! Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Often our harshness comes from a place of fear. This sandbox wisdom happens to be in agreement with the Bible. Gentleness is a soft answer, even when the words might hurt the recipient (Galatians 6:1). That kind of mass violence is the opposite of kindness, goodness, and gentleness. Jesus was gentle, even when He was being crucified.

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