Traits of the spirit – controlled life: Gentleness

Traits of the Spirit – Controlled Life: Gentleness

Galatians 5:23; Matthew 11:28 – 30

Galatians 5:23 NLT

23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Matthew 11:28–30 NLT

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Introduction:

A – background

B – The fruit of the Spirit constitute traits that should be present in any life that is controlled by the Holy Spirit of God.

I- Gentleness Defined: (Galatians 5:22 – 23)

Galatians 5:22–23 NLT

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

A- πραΰτης = meekness, gentleness, teachableness.

a. The Greek word does not imply weakness.

While weakness and meekness may look similar from the outside, they are not the same. Weakness is due to negative circumstances, such as lack of strength or courage. Meekness is due to a person’s conscious choice. It is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.

The word picture created by the word translated gentleness depicts something of great power that is always under control.

It is the picture of a champion racehorse under the control of a bit and bridle.

It is a picture of a mighty reservoir of water leaping through the spillway of a great dam in a measured flow.

It is the picture of a powerful Olympic weightlifter brushing a tear out of his little daughters eye.

these all demonstrate strength under control or power under discipline.

b. The term refers to an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward people, that springs from the recognition that God is in control.

The concept recognizes and acknowledges the awesome power of God and the absoluteness of his sovereignty.

It makes the choice to submit to God in a moldable, teachable spirit. It expresses a willingness to learn whatever lesson God desires to teach. It acknowledges the fact that there is a goal greater than personal comfort.

This attitude expresses gentleness toward people out of submission to God.

II- Gentleness Depicted: (Matthew 11:28 – 30)

Matthew 11:28–30 NLT

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

A- The greatest depiction of this concept can be found in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1- Jesus was meek.

The Scriptures bear witness to the meekness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:29

Matthew 11:29 NLT

29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 21:5

Matthew 21:5 NLT

5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ”

2 Corinthians 10:1

2 Corinthians 10:1 NLT

1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.

2 –Jesus was not weak

The clearest two clearest examples of the meekness of Christ – that is strength under control –

The incident when he drove the moneychangers out of the temple. (John 2:13 – 15)

John 2:13–15 NLT

13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables.

His choice to die upon the cross when he could have judged all mankind. (Matthew 26:45-27:56)

3- Jesus kept his focus upon the greater goal.

The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus endured the cross and its shame, with his eye on the joy that was set before him. (Hebrews 12:2 – 3)

Hebrews 12:2–3 NLT

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

III- Gentleness Directed:

A- We are to express the spirit of (Gentleness) meekness as we receive the word of God and its instructions (James 1:21).

James 1:21 NLT

21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

B- We are to express the spirit of meekness (Gentleness) as we receive correction from God through discipline (Hebrews 12:5–13).

Hebrews 12:5–13 NLT

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

C- We are to express the spirit of meekness (Gentleness) when we confront a fellow believer about sin in their life (Galatians 6:1).

Galatians 6:1 NLT

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

D- We are to express the spirit of meekness (Gentleness) when we confront the Lost with the gospel (1 Peter 3:15).

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

E- All of these directives are to be followed with our ultimate goal in view. (Philippians 3:12 – 17).

Philippians 3:12–17 NLT

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

F- We can only exhibit this trait if we are living life under the Holy Spirit’s control. (Galatians 5:24 – 26).

Galatians 5:24–26 NLT

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Conclusion: