Bearing Fruit: Gentleness

As I dug into scripture on gentleness, I found a few key points about gentleness. I'll list them here for clarity's sake and then expand on each:

Gentleness comes from Jesus.
Gentleness is precious to God.
Gentleness is slowness to anger.
Gentleness is restorative.
Gentleness promotes patience, love, unity, and peace.
Gentleness will lead people to repentance before an argument will.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls." - Matthew 11:29

Like the rest of the fruit of the Spirit, gentleness can only be learned from Jesus. As a reminder, the fruit of the Spirit is produced in us, not by our own striving, but as a result of a deeper relationship with Jesus.

What's interesting about most of the scripture that I found on gentleness is that it focuses on a gentle spirit or heart, and less on physical gentleness. But even this lines up with the person of Jesus. He is strong and he's not afraid to be firm. Gentleness does not necessarily mean being weak and letting people walk all over you.

I believe gentleness actually requires more strength, because you have to fight against your first reaction of anger, frustration, excitement, or whatever else it may be. Gentleness requires a lot of self-control, but we'll hear more about that from Hannah next week. ;)

"Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing your wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." - 1 Peter 3:3-4

God considers gentleness to be very precious, and this is coming from Peter, the one who once cut off a soldier's ear and rebuked Jesus! The fact that Peter can teach on gentleness is even further evidence that it's a fruit of the Spirit of Jesus. If Peter can have gentleness, so can you! You just have to let the Lord produce it in you.

"I, Paul, myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ - I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!" - 2 Corinthians 10:1

Paul is responding to attacks against his character, and he's careful to respond with gentleness rather than anger or defensiveness. He knows that gentleness is more convincing, because it allows people to drop their defenses. My study bible note mentions that Paul is appealing to Christ's slowness to anger and patience that allows time for repentance before He returns for judgment.

I love this because it further highlights how much Jesus loves us. God is just, and judgment will come one day, but Jesus in His gentleness and kindness will tarry as long as He can to allow room for more people to repent and come to know Him. How awesome is that?!

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." - Galatians 6:1

If we are seeking restoration with someone, gentleness is probably going to be your best tool. Just think of all the times that you came in to a conflict all worked up and angry - did it end well? Probably not. Gentleness removes the heat of emotion so that you can both hear each other and be restored.

"I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:1-3

This is where our scriptures begin to really intersect with each other. Just as gentleness brings restoration, patience, peace, unity, and love are not far behind. They all work hand in hand, and several are other aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit. 

"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." - 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Perhaps most importantly of all, gentleness may be your most powerful tool to lead someone to repentance. It may be just the thing that allows someone to truly hear the gospel and come to know God. Gentleness just might be someone's key to freedom in Christ.

Pray today for God to produce gentleness in you, specifically in the midst of a conflict, and especially if the conflict with with an unbeliever, that you might exemplify the character of Christ.