What is Gentleness?

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

John 8:1–11 ESV

but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

What is gentleness?

In our world or society if you will, gentleness can often be called weakness.

After watching the Show Cobra Kai, the motto of the gym is strike first, strike hard- no mercy.

Anytime gentleness is shown it is viewed as weakness.

Yet the use of the word gentleness in the NT is described as being submissive to the will of God, it means being teachable, being not too proud to learn, But most often it means being considerate.

When the people brought this women to Jesus.

They wanted Him to condemn the woman and virtually allow the stoning of her.

If Jesus let her go without upholding the law of Moses, then the Pharisees would have a case against Jesus.

If He condemned the girls she would die, it was a test for Jesus.

His response is perfect, he starts to draw in the sand.

I think this is how I may try to sort out impossible questions from now on.

“Zach can you take Albus outside?”

Albus is our Dog… Picture

Instead of saying yes, I am just going to start drawing on the floor.

maybe you should try this.

Anyway!

Jesus starts writing on the floor, no one knows what he was writing or drawing.

After some time, Jesus stands up and says ok stone her, but only if you have never committed a sin.

Pick up your stones and throw them at her, if you are blameless.

And one by one the stones fell to the ground.

No one threw a stone.

No one.

And this whole time this is going on, Jesus is drawing or writing in the sand again.

After sometime Jesus stops and asks the woman where are your accusers?

She responds by saying they all left.

Jesus tells her to go as he also does not condemn her.

This story is a great reminder for us that we are all sinful.

We have all made mistakes.

And what we as Christians at times is to condemn people for their sin when we are also sinning in others ways.

Instead of showing compassion and gentleness we stand up with our stones ready to throw them at the guilty party.

Now, do people need to know when they fall into sin, sure, but unless you have a relationship with them it is hard to bring that up.

It is even harder to bring that up when they are not a believer.

I’m pretty sure Jesus would rather not have this woman be an adulteress.

I think this should be clear.

Jesus does not want her to continue to live in sin.

He could have said light her up— but instead he showed gentleness when dealing with her.

God shows gentleness to you as well.

God had compassion on you as he sent Jesus to the cross for you.

This is of course why we also need to show gentleness to those we come in contact with.

To show them the love of Christ.

Standing up for the poor and meek.

Offering compassion and humility to those around us.

I’ll leave you with this.

I heard a story this week from Dak Sheppard.

You may also know him as Kristen Bell’s husband-

He told a story how he was dating Kristen at the time and some dude threw a bottle at his car with them both inside of it and it broke the window.

So he got out of his car and beat up the guy.

Both we silent as they reached their destination.

When they did Kristen said to him, when you get mad and angry like that, it scares me and it makes me feel unsafe.

Dak’s response was i just want you to know i will protect you and destroy anybody who wants to hurt you or anything.

Kristen said that is the problem— it makes me feel unsafe when you lose control like that.

Sometime we feel like we have to rise up to challenges and defend our honor.

But if we offered gentleness what could that outcome look like?

Offering compassion in the mist of anger and turmoil could be the difference maker.

The fruit of the spirit is gentleness- it is strength under control, power harnessed in loving service and respectful actions.

Next week we will be off but on October 4th we will be combine again to wrap up the fruits of the spirit with self-control.

I hope to see you all there!

Have a good night!

You are loved.