Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

Text: Gal. 5:22-23

Q: How does our culture view the quality of gentleness/meekness?

Q: Why do you think that often times the church appears to be weak?

Verses to consider in rightly interpreting this word.

Matthew 11:29  - Jesus is this example of  meekness

Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 5:5 - Meekness is a characteristic of the redeemed

Blessed are the humble,

for they will inherit the earth.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 (CSBBible)

Now I Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ??—??I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent.  I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are behaving according to the flesh.  For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,  since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments  and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.  And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

1 Corinthians 4:18-21 (CSBBible)

Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.  But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.  What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Galatians 6:1-2 (CSBBible)

Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won't be tempted.  Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Colossians 3:12-17 (CSBBible)

Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,  bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.  Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (CSBBible)

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit??—??just as you were called to one hope at your calling?—  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 (CSBBible)  The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,  instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.  Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Titus 3:1-11 (CSBBible)

Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,  to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.  For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,  he saved us?— not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy ??—??through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior  so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.  This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.  But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.  Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning.  For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

1 Peter 3:13-17 (CSBBible)

Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated,  but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.  Yet do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

James 1:20-22 - emptiness

James 1:19-22 (CSBBible)

My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,  for human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness.  Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Gentleness has little to do with strength but rather emptiness of ones own will to accomplish the works of God's kingdom.

James 3:13-18 (CSBBible)

Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.  But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and deny the truth.  Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.