A Gentleness Evident To All

Testimony

Matthew 12:20 ESV

20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;

You never know what someone is going through. A couple went to eat and prayed for the server.

A person struggling to do right

Person pushing past symptoms to show up for Jesus

Let your gentleness be evident to all

Philippians 4:5 NKJV

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Four Key Ingredients To Gentleness (Romans 12:15-18)

Practice empathy

Empathy is understanding what someone is going through.

Empathy is putting yourself in their shoes before putting them in their place.

Romans 12:15 “15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

Jesus was moved with compassion. Compassion is a precursor for Miracles.

Two blind men

Widows son raised from the dead

Fed the hungry

Stay humble

Romans 12:16 “16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

Harmony is blending will together

Don’t be haughty -

Humble people are accessible

Esteem your brother better than yourselves.

Forgive

Romans 12:17 NIV

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

Forgive them.

Forgive yourself. It’s hard to be gentle with others when you’re being hard on yourself.

2 Timothy 2:25 “correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,” Titus 3:2 “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

Be A Thermometer Not A Thermostat

Romans 12:18 “18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Peaceable - inclined to avoid argument when possible.

When the Samaritan’s didn’t receive Jesus, the disciples asked if they should rain fire down on them. Jesus rebuked them and went to the next village.

Lincoln installs fiercest rival as secretary of state.

Strong enough to be gentle. Gentleness, like peacefulness and meekness are born from the character of Christ, not weakness.