Be the Light- pt 8 Gentleness

I hope you have noticed as we have walked thru these gifts of the Spirit, that they are really counter to the spirit of the age. Truthfully, our culture celebrates the opposite of most of the concepts listed in Galatians 5, and those that are not are often twisted into something antithetical to their scriptural concepts.

That is especially true of the one for today- gentleness.

Truthfully, this is another one, like patience, that is a wrestling match for me. I have said before, I tend towards war. And I think the biggest teacher for me in learning about this gift- and definitely not perfecting it- is having kids and going to Ghana.

Kids because I had a dad who was gentle with me, so I had a good model of how to be gentle, even if I have not always done so and Ghana because loud is not the way with kids- especially little ones (talk about winning over Triumph)

So let’s start with the example we have with Jesus. Turn with me to Matthew 11:28-30.

Jesus describes Himself as gentle, but the words around that phrase are what illustrates this reality.

Jesus is gentle because:

He offers rest to the weary- gentleness invites us to slow down

Matthew 2. Opposition Experienced in Christ’s Mission (11:1–12:50)

“Weary and burdened” reflects the daily labor of carrying a pack on one’s back. Tired workers need refreshment and renewal (cf.

He offers a respite from heavy loads- gentleness does not add to what people have to carry, it takes it from them

Matthew 2. Opposition Experienced in Christ’s Mission (11:1–12:50)

In describing his provision of this rest, Jesus borrows imagery from the plowing of fields. Like the yoke that couples oxen together, discipleship does not exempt one from work but makes it manageable. Jews commonly spoke of taking on the yoke of the Torah to refer to the acceptance of the stipulations of the law. But, as the Sermon on the Mount has made plain, Jesus calls people not to the law but to himself

In a lot of ways, gentleness is similar to empathy. It gravitates towards trying to understand where someone is, and trying to meet them there. Which is exactly what Jesus did for us.

Matthew 2. Opposition Experienced in Christ’s Mission (11:1–12:50)

Jesus’ requirements are no less stringent than those of the Jewish teachers, but they can be accomplished more readily because of the strength Christ provides through the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not escape the hard life, but he could experience rest and refreshment in its midst. Christians are not promised freedom from illness or calamity, but they may experience God’s sustaining grace so that they are not crushed or driven to despair (

Where as harshness tries to impose its will, gentleness invites someone to come and see and walk along until you are in step.

Gentleness models. And it seeks to love someone into repentance, rather than guilt them into it.

The accusation leveled against gentleness is it is weak or being a door mat, or, especially with men, unmasculine.

That’s crap.

Jesus was not weak and not a push over, and the perfect man and yet He was gentle. The problem we have in our culture is that gentleness is mistaken for passivity. Which it is not. And I want to look at how it is modeled, so we can know how to bring gentle strength to bear in a world that desperately needs a better narrative.

So turn with me to Proverbs 15:1.

Now I know I usually stay away from one verse citations, but this one is in a list of one off sayings from Proverbs and it is a good one.

Gentleness starts with our words- both verbal and written- especially in our day and age.

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Type: A-B Envelope Series (15:1–16:8)

The ability to avert needless quarreling and to live in harmony with others is a virtue of wisdom. Many conflicts arise not because the issues separating the parties are so great but because of the temperaments people bring to a confrontation

Can we just amen this one please.

Mike Tyson said a few years ago, “Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." 

(story about meeting in person vs zoom)

We are rapidly devaluing people and excusing saying harsh things to them and about them because we do not see them as people. Gentleness requires us to see people as the Imago Dei.

Gentle words require us to do something very difficult, pause before we speak. I can be quick with a harsh comeback when attacked, but a gentle answer makes me have to stop to analyze- what was said, why it made me angry, and how I can be constructive in my response

Same goes for my fingers.

(walking away from twitter)

Gentleness is more than what we say. It is how we act. Turn with me to Isaiah 40:9-11.

Look at verse 10- God comes with MIGHT

Isaiah 40–66 1. Prepare, for God Is Coming to Shepherd His People (40:1–11)

God’s coming will be marked by a powerful demonstration of his sovereign rule through his “arm” that sovereignly controls history. One day he will reign as Lord and Master over his people and over the whole earth. His strength will assure his victory. This picture of God’s power should give the audience confidence that no earthly power will be able to resist his will. These images are suggestive of a Divine Warrior whose power defeats his enemy and rescues his own people

But then look at verse 11- gentleness

Gentleness is not weakness. It is how we do hard things with grace.

Isaiah 40–66 1. Prepare, for God Is Coming to Shepherd His People (40:1–11)

The oracle ends with pictures of God as a shepherd caring for the emotional and material needs of his people. He will compassionately protect them in his powerful and loving arms. His compassionate care is illustrated in the way he tenderly holds his people and gently leads those who are weak. He is the good shepherd (

We have to become people who default to being graceful, even when confronted with ungraceful actions. We do not have to live at war, seeking conflict everywhere we go.

Gentleness breeds peace and defuses even the worst situations.

Look at verse 11. Gentleness implies

protection

being home

being supported

That’s why gentleness is not weak, it is just not aggressive. Gentleness does not imply taking a beating. It means we stand firm without seeking conflict. But we will not let the defenseless be left unguarded.

Finally, gentleness informs how we engage with a broken world, especially where the Gospel is concerned. Turn with me to Colossians 4:5-6.

Christians are not at war with people who do not know Jesus. We are seeking to lead them to Jesus. So gentle engagement with a broken world is not optional- in all aspects.

We need to be wise in our engagements

Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (2) Wisdom (4:5)

Paul did not mention the evil day here. His concern was the non-Christians’ response to the gospel and the attitude of Christians toward them. Divine wisdom results in a positive witness.

We need to not waste time

Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (2) Wisdom (4:5)

in terms of making the most of time to win unsaved people to the Lord. Perhaps he reflected on his own limited opportunities as he awaited trial. The church should realize all of its opportunities to be of service to God and the world.

We need to speak with grace to folks we disagree with

Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (3) Careful Communication (4:6)

Paul could hardly think of so grand a Christian word as “grace” and not fill it with Christian meaning. Like the salutation of this epistle (1:1–2), Paul took a common expression and infused it with Christian meaning. The result is something like: “Let your speech be always with the graciousness appropriate to Christians, i.e., those who live in a state of grace.”

“Seasoned with salt”- preserving, purifying- we can do both

Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (3) Careful Communication (4:6)

Salt had three uses at that time. It could preserve a food, “sterilize” a food (antiseptic), or season a food. Here Paul took the last meaning. Conversation was to be seasoned, i.e., acceptable and inoffensive.

Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (3) Careful Communication (4:6)

Sound answers offered with a positive spirit overcome many obstacles to the gospel. This text emphasizes the method of answering more than the content. It calls for Christian graciousness and sensitivity to the person and situation

Gentleness is not natural, but friends it is in short supply. We have to develop it and in our world it gives us yet another example of how Jesus makes us different.

And since it is how He won us, we can be sure He is not done doing that yet.