Week 8 Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

Hello everyone!! We’ve made it to the 8th week of our Fruit of the Spirit discussion. This has been a great learning experience that has shown me how important each fruit is in the lives of believers. We can not produce them in our own strength but only by the Spirit of God. As I previously mentioned, these spiritual fruit are cultivated in our lives as we abide in Christ. To bear fruit, we must remain in Him. And remaining in Christ allows the Father to prune us, removing anything that hinders our ability to produce spiritual fruit. I hope that we will use these discussions as a means to reflect on our daily lives and interactions with others to examine the fruit we are producing. And, if there are any areas where we’re lacking, we would allow the Father to prune us in order to be more fruitful.

In today’s blog, we are exploring the fruit of gentleness. We will discover how we can use Godly wisdom to maintain gentleness in our conduct and conversations with others.

Understanding Gentleness

In order to walk in gentleness, we must have an understanding of what it is and what it is not.

Gentleness is…

Gentleness is not…

With the definitions, synonyms, and antonyms listed above, we should now have a clear understanding of what gentleness means. Based on this information, we can look at our lives and examine if we are walking in gentleness or if we need to improve in this area. For some, this comes easily, while others of us need more work. No matter which end of the spectrum you find yourself on, we can ask God to help us to be consistent and authentic in our walk. It’s a privilege that believers have, not having to depend on our own strength. Instead, we have our Father who empowers us in doing so. He does not force us, but when we decide to walk in gentleness, He gives us the ability to do so.

So I pose the question: Within the various areas of your life, is the fruit of gentleness evident? On your job, would you be described as gentle or rough? In your home, would your spouse describe you as aggressive, argumentative, and rigid?  Would your children consider you to be unkind, harsh, and demanding? Do those outside your home receive a more gentle version of you than those you live with? There’s a time and place for everything. We can find ourselves in situations where it’s necessary to be firm in our approach, choosing to be stern with our actions and words. But everything should be said and done from a place of love and consideration of the other person, not with the intention of mistreatment through belittling and degrading.

During times of correction and discipline, children should know–even though they may be upset–that they are still loved. The discipline they receive should not be used as a form of abuse or mistreatment but to correct bad behavior and lead them down the right path. In our relationships–not only in marriages–when we disagree or there is something the other person may have said or done that bothered us, we shouldn’t become aggressive and unkind turning the matter into an argument. These are just a few areas to take into consideration to recognize whether or not we are displaying gentleness. In the next section, we will discuss how we can learn to walk in gentleness.

Learning to Walk in Gentleness

To walk in gentleness takes intentionality. It’s a decision we have to make. It is important that our way of thinking is renewed in the Word. Oftentimes, how we operated prior to salvation or what we experienced in childhood shapes our interactions with others. But now, as we read and meditate on scripture, we learn how we should live as believers. We’re able to see the correct way to interact with others that reflects our identity as a child of God and our regenerated nature. It’s a process of unlearning old ways of thinking and doing and, in return, relearning through the Word aided by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth. And, He will lead us into all truth. To walk in gentleness, we need His assistance. We may encounter times in which we have resistance in extending gentleness, but the Spirit of God serves as a gentle reminder to respond or act with gentleness.

In James 3, it discusses the two types of wisdom: one is earthly, sensual, and devilish, and the other is from above (Godly wisdom). Godly wisdom brings us to a place of  maturity, allowing us to operate in a manner that is peaceable and gentle. God’s wisdom will lead us to handle matters the correct way.  We won’t be driven by our feelings, allowing our flesh to dictate our reaction. When an issue or conflict arises, we are not reactionary. We are soberminded and handle it with wisdom. Being even-tempered gives us the ability to offer a gentle response in the midst of a difficult situation. Proverbs 15:1 shows us that a soft or gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words will stir up anger.

To walk in gentleness, we need the ability to endure longsuffering. We have to be forbearing with one another. When difficult situations arise, it will test our patience to see if we can still display love and gentleness to the other person. It takes Godly wisdom to restrain yourself from saying or doing something that is not Christ-like when involved in a heated matter. People may intentionally instigate or agitate you to elicit a negative response. As believers, it’s imperative that we be prepared for these situations and respond in a way that is pleasing to our Father rather than satisfying the other person.

Lastly, in our daily conversations, it is necessary to put off the old man and its former conversations. The way we talk now should be edifying, not tearing down. Once we are born-again, we should no longer continue talking in a manner that is harsh, confrontational, belittling, disrespectful, or is flat out degrading. Our nature changes when our inner man is regenerated. Through the process of sanctification, the Holy Spirit works on the inside of us, making us more like Christ. Our conduct and conversations are changed, reflecting the inward change that has taken place.

RECAP

  • Understanding Gentleness
    • Gentleness is…
      • The quality or state of being gentle
        especially : mildness of manners or disposition
      • The quality of being calm, kind, or soft
      • Similar words: tenderness, kindness, meekness, and softness
    • Gentleness is not…
      • Aggressive
      • Argumentative
      • Callous
      • Demanding
      • Harsh
      • Rough
      • Unkind
    • Within the various areas of your life, is the fruit of gentleness evident?
  • Learning to Walk in Gentleness
    • Being renewed in the Word
      • Unlearning old habits and ways of thinking and relearning through the Word, aided by the Holy Spirit
    • Having Godly wisdom
    • Endure longsuffering, being able to fobear with one another
    • Putting off the old man and its conversations
**Scriptures used from the authorized King James Bible
**Definitions used from the Oxford, Cambridge, and Merriam-Webster Dictionaries

Next Week’s Blog: The Final Week of the Fruit of the Spirit

Week 9: Self-control 🍋

TOPIC: Exercising Self-Control