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Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandizement. Join us here for a short study on gentleness in the bible and how to live it out. Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. It is the ability to be kind and loving even in the face of adversity. The Spirit-Filled Life: Discovering the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit by Charles Stanley. As a result, our children learn to trust us and to respond to us with respect. In Matthew 11:29, Christ said, " Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (emphasis added throughout). 7. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is peace? The Bible teaches us that we should be gentle in all our relationshipseven with our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-28). However, Scripture reminds us that we are called to be gentle with others, even in the midst of difficult times. Some people would say that peace is the opposite of war, when there is no fighting or violence. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. And as we engage others we should avoid quarreling with them but should instead have perfect courtesy toward all people. But the reality is that war is more of a surface behaviour, something seen, rather than exposing the deeper things taking place inside. Extend grace when someone offends you, even if they dont deserve it. It's a beauty that cannot fade away. Now, it's not to say that, if things are not peaceful, then war won't exist. What is the definition of gentleness? What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? There have always been arguments on whether it is an attribute to desire or avoid. Jesus' words mirror those spoken by David: Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. He emphasizes the gentle aspect of meekness toward others. He was always willing to forgive those who had sinned against him and he always treated others with respect, no matter who they were. It is used similarly to prautesbut is more of an opposite of violence. You can find various definitions of gentleness online: A mildness of manners or disposition Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. Below are a few examples of how to practice this virtue in your life. Its the opposite of harshness, and it means that we dont try to force our beliefs or ideas on others. brutality. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Proud member True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. The biblical concept of gentleness is often misunderstood. Of all the character traits which could have been part of the fruit of the Spirit, why is gentleness in that list? I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. This is why this grace is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. So, what does gentleness mean? In some ways these two words are opposite poles of a spectrum: Meekness or gentleness is the quality of having strength under control, while humility is the quality of self-forgetfulness and giving up personal rights for the sake of others. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. Your email address will not be published. But what does it mean to be gentle? In the New Testament, the word does not appear in the Gospels or Acts though it does appear in root form in Matthew 5:5 to describe Jesus. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Online Christian Articles and Information Hub. What does it look like to be gentle? Heres everything you need to know about this virtue and how you can use it in your life! When we are gentle with others, we are showing them the love and compassion of Christ. He is slow to anger and forgiving of sinners. As a parent, I see gentleness as one of the most important character qualities we need to focus on in our family. He could have called down twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didnt. In sum, the Scriptures show God as a kind and gentle leader. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. Download these beautiful gentle scripture cards for free here! Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. Show empathy. It's a peaceful, calm, and forgiving attitude. The Bible is full of examples of gentleness. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. Would you rather be around someone who is marked by a gentle spirit or one who is harsh, brutish, critical, and aggressive? We may picture someone who is easily intimidated or who shrinks back from conflict. In this verse, Paul makes it clear that gentleness is not something from the Law or from human effort or will power; rather, it comes from Gods grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Luke 22:42, John 4:34, 7:16-17. You and those around you reap many benefits by prioritizing gentleness. The Bible says that gentleness is "not soon angry." (1 Cor. God is gentle with us, and we are called to be gentle with others. There are two other types of peace. Fighting destroys relationships and takes so much time to repair. You can also check out these gentle parenting bible study discussion guides.This post was written by guest blogger Meaghan Jackson ofGentle Parenting Coaching. Gentleness also means that we are patient with those who disagree with us, because they may have valid reasons for their position or opinion. But taking even a few minutes out of our busy schedules to express our love and affection to our spouse can make a world of difference in our relationship. Consider Revelation 21 as a passage to meditate upon. Far from dismissing gentleness, the Scriptures speak of gentleness as the way the kingdom of God "gets things done.". Teddy Roosevelt said he thought it wise to speak softly and carry a big stick. Gentleness for many is synonymous with being quiet spoken, a pushover, and weak. When we attempt to restore someone caught in sin, we are to do it in a spirit of gentleness. In 2 Timothy and in Titus, gentleness is to mark the Christian leader. Knowing themselves to be subject to weakness, they can more readily deal gently with the ignorant and the erring. When someone considers someone to have the quality of epiekes, they would say that this is a pleasurable person to be around. Gentleness helps us experience Jesus. Another pair of opposites in the Bible is innocence and guilt. Beginning and End God has neither beginning nor end. But His grace is sufficient for us, right!? If you want to see real, biblical gentleness, open your bible to one of the gospels, and reflect on Jesus's words and actions. God wants us to be gentle to others. It is displayed by Good Behavior and one of the fruits of the spirit, in the hidden person of the heart. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. So lets all make a conscious effort to show a little more gentleness to our spouses today it just might make their day and ours! Ad revenue is generated off of page views. This would mean that if we have an opportunity to help someone else but it would cost us something, then we should do whatever we can to help them instead of just focusing on ourselves. Instead, we gently express what we believe without being critical or judgmental. Teach Them Obedience. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). The opposite is "unbridled anger, harshness, brutality, and self-expression." ("Self-expression" is the picture of someone who struts and shows off.) gentle parenting bible study discussion guides, The Responsibilities of a Parent in the Bible, Children Should Be Seen and Not Heard A Biblical Perspective, Remember God Is In Control And He Cares About You, Gratitude In The Bible Key Verses and How To Apply Them, What It Means to Be a Good Steward in the Bible with Examples, 27 Bible Verses On Identity in Christ for Powerful Living, The Mystery of Mothers Intuition Revealed In The Bible. All rights reserved. So, what does gentleness mean? The opposite of gentleness is: Rudeness, manipulation, or disrespect. But more specifically we grow in gentleness by practicing it. When we are patient and kind with those who are hurting, we offer them a glimpse of the hope and healing that is found in Jesus. There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered brutality unkindness hardness harshness imperviousness roughness cruelty savagery inhumanity barbarity viciousness atrocity sadism heartlessness ruthlessness barbarousness savageness fiendishness bestiality atrociousness barbarism brutishness mercilessness wickedness bloodthirstiness Sharpness, coldness, or evil. We need His help to be gentle! Gentleness is a soft answer, even when the words might hurt the recipient (Galatians 6:1). Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. 5 Steps to Achieving the Fruit of Gentleness (or Meekness) that Leads to Blessedness. These verses can be applied to any relationship or interaction with have with others. Listen more than you speak or act (James 1:19). It's a way of life. It is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit by good work and a gentle tongue. Paul showed kindness and gentleness toward those who persecuted him (see Acts 23). Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. 6. Such an invitation, from such a person, is precious beyond words. "Entry for 'GENTLENESS'". God himself spoke to Elijah as a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). Gentleness [N] Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. 4. The New Testament. People should be able to see Christ in us because we are kind and gentle to others, even when they are not to us. The apostle Paul wrote, And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8) leading men to Christ is not always easy. What comes to your mind when you think of gentleness? Is It True That Gentleness Gets Nothing Done. We see in Jesus a deeper definition of gentleness. We will not be easily offended and will control our tempers. When you do this you can then look for ways to meet those needs and truly help work through those feelings. My heart is too hard to go in the spirit of meekness to visit the sister who I have offended or who has offended me (, More Heart to Heart: Godly Wisdom Woman To Woman. Finding healing in those wounds can often help us to respond with gentleness instead of harshness. Evil has a beginning and its end will be everlasting. It is not weakness, nor does it mean that we should never stand up for ourselves. considerateness.5 The Interpreter's Bible says it is the opposite of hubris, the Greek word for haughty, boastful inso-lence.6 To try to understand gentleness further, let us go through the passages in the Bible where the Greek word prautes is used. January 15, 2016 by Lauren Abraham in [ Spiritual Life ] "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. unkindness. To really understand this word, think of a powerful animal that is brought under control. I'm too self-centered to stop and kiss my child's scraped knee. . This is the spirit of gentleness that we are called to as followers of Christ. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is love? Pride and self-assertionthe opposite of gentlenessruled in the hearts of the Jewish leaders. People will see Jesus in us when we are gentle. Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. Pray for God to help you forgive those who have hurt you. You can be gentle in him thanks for sharing and encouraging . What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? When correcting opponents, it should be done with gentleness. Our research shows that gentleness is the most overlooked fruit of the Spirit, and not by a little. Is it not fitting then for believers to exude this same characteristic? As parents and caregivers, let us always remember the power of gentleness in shaping the hearts and minds of our children. In 2 Macc 15:12 Onias is said (the King James Version) to be "gentle (praos) in condition," the Revised Version (British and American) "in manner.". Proud member Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered, or feels the need for revenge. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. Toughness and controlled anger in a just cause are not the opposite of gentleness. Required fields are marked *. It is a trait that is godly, and as His children God expects us to become gentle, as He is. It stands in contrast to baseness ( Deuteronomy 28:54 Deuteronomy 28:56 ), harshness ( 2 Sam 18:5 ), and wildness ( Job 41:3 ). When we receive a . Great damage has been done by Christians who have wielded God-given authority for their own ends instead of for the kingdom. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. These two qualities seem to go together. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. 1915. Furthermore, when we are gentle with our children, we help them to develop into well-rounded individuals who are able to navigate the challenges of life with grace and strength. The power of our words can be life-giving and diffuse a tense situation. It requires humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, kind behavior towards others. It requires great strength and self-control. Why is it important for us to follow Gods example of gentleness? Note here that the opposite of gentleness is a desire for revenge, anger, and self -aggrandizement. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others. Doesnt gentleness keep us from getting things done? A meek spirit, a gentle spirit, a quiet spirit. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. The world without Christ considers gentle people to be weak people, losers, doormats. He was a rough man by trade, but when it came to leading men to Christ, he employed great gentleness. We are to stand out from the crowd by being different. Required fields are marked *. Let believers clothe themselves "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" ( Col 3:12 ). This is similar to how Peter uses the word (1 Peter 3:16). But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). But the more I study, the more I find that gentleness is one of the chief Christian virtues. The Oxford Dictionary defines gentleness as, "the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered." Kindness is literally a part of gentleness; the two are intertwined, and therefore when one is portrayed, so is the other.