Gentleness

Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Here are some other verses that use this concept:

1 Corinthians 4:21 (NKJV)

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV)

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Now, let’s see how Jesus practiced gentleness.

John 8:1–11 NKJV

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Introduction:

We have a great opportunity to see the Lord Jesus in action whenever we read the gospels.

In this event from the gospel of John, we see Jesus typically dealing with a person caught in sin.

We might cross reference the way the Master behaves with the way He acted towards the woman at the well, in John chapter four.

He is always consistent.

I. What is gentleness?

It is the opposite of harshness.

It is a kind soft approach to handling a situation or confronting someone.

Even though the woman in this passage from John chapter eight was guilty, and under the law of Moses deserved the death penalty, Jesus acted with gentleness.

II. What does gentleness accomplish?

It diffuses anger.

It dispels defensiveness.

It allows a person to think clearly.

III. Why is gentleness important?

It is Christlike.

It allows us to minister rather than judge.

Conclusion:

If you have been guilty of something wrong and sinful, would you want your parents to be harsh or gentle?

When you’ve been negligent at work in some manner, do you want to be dealt with harshly or in gentleness?

So how should we treat others in the same situation?