Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

Intro

We have been going through the fruit of the Spirit.

Process of developing a training program for those who want to be more involved in ministry, or want to represent the light of the Lord in a fallen world. Part of that program is an intensive list of the character traits of a Christian that is displayed to the world. As Christians, people that walk with Christ and live in the promise of the Holy Spirit being our guide and counselor, there should be an evidence in our lives that should be like “fruit” to the world around us. It should look like something that brings health. It should be appealing to the eye. It should be noticable.

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Today we settle on gentleness.

The 8th fruit listed in .

Today we are going to discuss what the Biblical definition of gentleness is in comparison to the world’s perception of it.

We are going to see how Christ demonstrated it in His life toward us.

And we are going to get some practical examples of what we can do to help it grow in our life.

The World’s Definition of gentleness.

Google - GENTLENESS - the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered, or softness of action or effect; lightness.

the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.

As a preacher one of the most difficult things about putting together a message is finding things to illustrate a topic. To help me in this I have books and websites I go to.

softness of action or effect; lightness.

The best illustration I could find in my own life was the fact that there are so very few great stories about someones gentleness winning the day.

2. As a preacher one of the most difficult things about putting together a message is fining things to illustrate

There are illustrations on winning great fights. War analogies, sports analogies, etc. etc. etc.

There are a few illustrations on kindness and being tenderhearted but none that really described the kind of gentleness being described here in this verse.

I believe it’s because people either consciously or subconsciously equate gentleness with being weak or lazy.

Biblical Gentleness.

As a Fruit of the Spirit.

Cannot pick to simply obtain the fruit.

Good fruits need to be cultivated and grown

Good fruit looks good.

When you or the people around you look at your life, does your gentleness tell a story that you have been with Christ?

Good fruit tastes good.

Do you behave yourself in such a manner that when others try it, it produces good results.

Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People gives 30 behaviors to mimic. Some of them it seems comes directly from the Bible (although I don’t know if he was a Christian) but the reason they work is because when someone tries the fruit — it is good.

Good fruit is, well, good.

Being harsh or rough never works in the long run. In fact, there are studies that operating with an aggressive attitude toward others actually increases stress which over the long haul can lead to poor health. Also in the long rung runs contrary to anything that is productive.

It’s All Greek to Me

Prautes - gentleness, humility, meekness.

Kittel - mild and gentle friendliness

The definition requires action.

So often we would equate words such as these to mean a restraint from words or deeds. After all the easiest way to not be harsh in your speech is to not speak at all. The easiest way to not offend a person with your actions is to not have any actions at all.

However, the opposite is true. Gentleness speaks to the manner in which you do or say things.

Galatians 6:1 NIV

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

What’s In It For Me?

GENTLENESS DEFUSES CONFLICT:

Proverbs 15:1 NIV

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

proverbs 15:1

Ecclesiastes 10:4 NIV

If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (NIV)

GENTLENESS DISARMS CRITICS

1 Corinthians 4:13 NIV

when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

Titus 2:8 NIV

and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

“The Lord's servant must never quarrel; instead, he must be kind and gentle with everyone, He must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to know the truth.” (NIV/LB)

“We respond gently when evil things are said about us.” (NLT) “Your conversation should be so sensible that anyone who wants to argue will be ashamed because there won’t be anything to criticize in anything you say!” (LB) “The Lord's servant must never quarrel; instead, he must be kind and gentle with everyone, He must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to know the truth.” (NIV/LB) 3. GENTLENESS IS PERSUASIVE “Gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.” (Mes) “A gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.” (NCV) “A wise, mature person is known for understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.” (TEV) 4. GENTLENESS IS ATTRACTIVE “As a man of God... pursue what God approves of: godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness” (GW) “You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (NLT) 5. GENTLENESS COMMUNICATES LOVE “Husbands, love your wives and be gentle with them.” “Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger. Do not exasperate them to resentment, but rear them tenderly in the training and discipline and counsel of the Lord.” 6. GENTLENESS EARNS RESPECT “A woman of gentle grace will be respected.” (Mes) “Moses was a very meek and gentle man. In fact, he was more gentle than anyone else on the face of the earth!” 7. GENTLENESS WITNESSES TO UNBELIEVERS “Believers should never speak evil of ANYONE, nor be quarrelsome. Instead they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.” (GW) “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV) 8. GENTLENESS MAKES ME LIKE JESUS “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (NIV) “The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness!” (NIV)

GENTLENESS IS PERSUASIVE

“Gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.” (Mes)

“A gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.” (NCV) “A wise, mature person is known for understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.”

(TEV)

GENTLENESS IS ATTRACTIVE

(GW) “You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (NLT) GENTLENESS EARNS RESPECT “A woman of gentle grace will be respected.” (Mes) “Moses was a very meek and gentle man. In fact, he was more gentle than anyone else on the face of the earth!” 7. GENTLENESS WITNESSES TO UNBELIEVERS “Believers should never speak evil of ANYONE, nor be quarrelsome. Instead they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.” (GW) “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV) 8. GENTLENESS MAKES ME LIKE JESUS “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (NIV) “The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness!” (NIV)

(GW) “You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”

GENTLENESS WITNESSES TO UNBELIEVERS

“Believers should never speak evil of ANYONE, nor be quarrelsome. Instead they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.” (GW)

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV) 8. GENTLENESS MAKES ME LIKE JESUS “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (NIV) “The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness!” (NIV)

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

(NIV)

GENTLENESS MAKES ME LIKE JESUS

Matthew 11:27–28 NIV

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

How to Get it.

One sourse

Pray hard and ask the Holy Spirit to help

Now while there is effort that we must put forward.. when you fail don’t get discouraged. Just keep on keepin on.

It is a fruit.