Fruits of the Spirit

Gentleness

Bible Passage: Galatians 5:22-26

Summary: Galatians 5:22-26 describes the attributes known as the Fruit of the Spirit, which are qualities that should be evident in the life of a believer empowered by the Holy Spirit, contrasting them with the works of the flesh.

Application: This passage provides Christians with a framework for evaluating their spiritual growth and encourages them to rely on the Holy Spirit to develop Christ-like characteristics in their lives, which can lead to transformation and witness in their community.

Big Idea: A life of faith demonstrated through the Fruit of the Spirit reveals Christ to the world and transforms both the believer and their community.

1. Love, Joy, Peace: Foundational Fruits

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

-Love, joy, and peace are foundational aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit that Christians should cultivate. -These attributes directly reflect the character of Christ and are central to a believer’s witness.

-These are fruits that we express and manifest through God’s love to others around us as it’s happening in us.

2. Patience, Kindness, Goodness: Grace in Motion

Galatians 5:23 “gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

-Patience, kindness, and goodness act as tangible expressions of God's grace through us. -These fruits enable us to navigate life's challenges with God’s perspective and invite others to experience His goodness.

-These fruits cause us to live and reach others with mercy.

3. Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control: Sustaining Power

Galatians 5:24 “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

-Jesus describes himself as gentle. -Jesus rebukes, tosses tables, etc…yet he says I’m gentle; gentleness in Greek is to have strength with humility.

-Its strength under control, it’s authority harnessed strength in submission and it’s saying what needs to be said without you needing everyone to know it’s you. -Gentleness is having authority and power but submitted it. -Gentleness is not being edgy or argumentative. 1. Gentleness is by product of awareness. -How aware are you of what is in you?

-The more we realize what we carry it changes how we carry it. -We are carrying treasure, his presence, not trash.

2 Corinthians 4:6–8 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;”

2. Gentleness is the vocabulary of the secure.

-How we speak and walk reflects who we belong to. -Insecurity is loud..ex. Saul, jealous of David. Ex. Joesph, spoke gentle and secure in a prison he didn’t deserve to be in. -David knew who he was so his speech was strong and secure..it was gentle.

-The more I know myself i don’t have to prove myself and therefore my speech sounds secure.

Proverbs 25:15 “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.” -What I say is strong but how I say it is gentle…it brings out the purpose in others.

-People wants to know the truth that sets them free but they don’t want to be bashed to pieces.

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” -‘Don’t go into a storm and cause one within one, but he the calmness in it by your security in identity

-Gentleness isn’t volume but value…lift value over volume. 3. Gentleness is the evidence of forgiveness

-God chose to give forgiveness of gentleness in the loudness of insecurity and sin and brokenness. Galatians 6:1–2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

-We are to restore others or relationship in gentleness because he handled you with gentle care.

Philippians 4:5 “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;”

-Let your gentleness is given to all. -Who have you removed from your ALL we are called to?

-THE WORLD IS NEEDED YOUR GENTLE REACHING HANDS AND FEET Gentleness is sustaining power by us abiding in the spirit and allowing the spirit to produce in us what we can’t for ourselves…changing us and transforming those around us through us.

4. Living by the Spirit: Transformative Alignment

Galatians 5:25–26 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

-Walk-means keep in step with the Holy Spirit and the results are…victory over sin, baring of spiritual fruit, and service through love.