Toughness and controlled anger in a just cause are not the opposite of gentleness. Developing Christian Gentleness is a sermon from Galatians 5:22-23 about the six ways that the Holy Spirit helps a Christian learn to be gentle. In this blog post, we will explore a few examples of gentleness from the Bible. Galatians 5:22-23. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25) Then, Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the jail were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyones chains were unfastened. (Acts 16:26) The jailer woke up, and saw that the prison doors were open. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. Speak respectfully to everyone. Gentleness is not a natural human trait it requires humility and self-control, two things that only come from God. 10. We need His help to be gentle! Required fields are marked *. The biblical concept of gentleness is often misunderstood. . 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. Believers ensnared by sin must be restored gently ( Gal 6:1 ). True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. It is used in the OT to show God as being a kind and benevolent ruler. He cares tenderly for the flock under his care, and "gently leads those that have young" ( Isa 40:11 ). The Pharisees told Jesus that the Law of Moses commanded them to stone such a woman, to which Jesus responds, Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:7). Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselveswith compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). The fruit of the Spirit is essentially the character of Jesus. We can ask Him to reveal ways we can show gentleness to others so that we may reflect His character. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. I use sarcasm and snap back at my childrens remarks. 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 helps us experience Jesus. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a298435548fac6131ddbee45a6669aa4" );document.getElementById("e218d56cc5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "Paul to TimothyII Timothy 2: 2KJV, We have Ads Running on this site. It is the opposite of being harsh with others. And as we engage others we should avoid quarreling with them but should instead have perfect courtesy toward all people. When we think about gentleness, we often think about it as a weakness. By showing gentleness towards others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and set an example for others to follow. Gentleness is an important virtue because it makes the world a better place. We see in Jesus a deeper definition of gentleness. There are many who feel that this is one of the most important aspects of his life and teachings. Lists. 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. Honestly, a change in our worldview/theology would do a great deal of work here as well. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. Here are the nine fruits of the spirit as listed in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This verse tells us that we should not only be kind toward others but also put their needs before our own. Pray for God to help you forgive those who have hurt you. Note that the Catholic church includes a few additional fruits as part of tradition, listing 12: The Bible tells us that God is gentle and loving and that we should imitate His character in our own lives. 6. We need His help to be gentle! When we receive a . Gentle Like a Shepherd. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). 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. Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on examples of gentleness in the bible, goodness definition bible, bible characters who showed gentleness, and so much more. 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.". Note here that the opposite of gentleness is a desire for revenge, anger, and self -aggrandizement. Gentleness is a requisite for a servant of God, particularly one in a responsible position of oversight. 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Gentleness comes from a state of humility. What does this look like? When we are full of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be seen in our lives. When you do this you can then look for ways to meet those needs and truly help work through those feelings. Is It True That Gentleness Gets Nothing Done. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. Do you ever find yourself thinking this way? Salem Media Group. It is a positive trait that can help you improve your relationships with others and even yourself. We study the arrival of guilt, an argument about guilt, and the answer to guilt. And once again the Lord is working for their rescue. We grow in gentleness by surrounding ourselves with gentle people. What does this look like? Paul showed kindness and gentleness toward those who persecuted him (see Acts 23). So he drew his sword and was about to kill himself (Acts 16:27) But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here. (Acts 16:28) And he called for lights and rushed in and fell down before Paul and Silas (Acts 16:29-30a) Then he took them both out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30b). When someone considers someone to have the quality of epiekes, they would say that this is a pleasurable person to be around. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Gentleness is an important quality for Christians to develop if they want to be effective in spreading Gods Word and helping others come closer to Christ. So let us always be gentle! Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Gentleness is one of the most important virtues in the Bible. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. In the New Testament it is the translation of epios, "mild," "gentle" (1Thessalonians 2:7; 2Timothy 2:24), and of epieikes, "fitting" "proper," etc. This means that when we see someone in need, we can no longer ignore them or pass them off as someone elses problem. You canread my full affiliate disclosure here. We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. They are believed to have been as close as anyone possible. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? The apostle Paul stated that "a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be . Your email address will not be published. Let's think of when Jesus portrayed kindness and gentleness. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, " exhorts Paul ( Eph 4:2 ). All rights reserved. In sum, the Scriptures show God as a kind and gentle leader. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and . But the opposite is true. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is peace? But gentleness is also opposed to lazy apathy and insensitivity. The Bible has a lot to say about gentleness. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. It is important to Christians because it is important to God. Being gentle makes others more willing to listen to you. In doing so we will win over those who hear us. opposite of gentleness in the biblehavelock wool australia. The Bible says that gentleness is not soon angry. (1 Cor. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. Again, the goal is always the unity of the Spirit; that is the demonstrated testimony of transforming gospel power. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Click here to read more verses about gentleness. Consider what would happen if the omnipotent God was characterized by harshness with his creatures made of dust. The New Testament. Gentleness in our day of polarization and heated rhetoric might go a long way in helping people to see the beauty of Jesus. Here are some steps you can take to learn how to be more gentle with others: 1. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Teach Them Obedience. Doing so creates a closer connection and will save you from needless hardships in your relationships. Gentle occurs in the Old Testament only in the Revised Version (British and American) of Jeremiah 11:19, "I was like a gentle lamb" (kebhes). You can prevent inciting anger by choosing to respond with gentleness. Antonyms: drunkenness, excess, gluttony, greed, intemperance, intoxication, reveling, revelry, self-indulgence, sensuality, wantonness Synonyms: abstemiousness, abstinence, continence, fasting, frugality, moderation, self-denial, self-restraint, sobriety, temperance Preposition: The negative side of virtue is abstinence from vice. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. A soft Answer shows us Gods Gentleness and points us toward the tree of life. You will be blessed and rewarded by God when you get to heaven and receive His peace and favor here on earth too. By showing gentleness to our spouses, we are not only making them feel loved and appreciated, but we are also setting a tone of respect and consideration that will spill over into other areas of our lives. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.. True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Gentleness, Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Gentleness. Gentleness also means that we are patient with those who disagree with us, because they may have valid reasons for their position or opinion. It is the opposite of being harsh with others. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. Harshness, meanness, or malice. You and those around you reap many benefits by prioritizing gentleness. Gentleness is powerful because it is godly. Be considerate of others feelings and needs. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is love? Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. Your email address will not be published. Rather than asserting superiority, someone who is gentle wants to help others, even when they have been done wrong. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matt. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is patience? When we are gentle with our children, we model for them the way God treats uswith patience, understanding, and love. Thank you for this devotion that I will pin, and print and place in my Gentleness devotional. Look at how he led the Philippian jailer to Christ. Job's counsels were well received, because he spoke them gently ( Job 29:22 ). Gentleness in marriage As wives, we don't have the physical strength our husbands do, usually. (1Timothy 3:3 the Revised Version (British and American); Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1Peter 2:18); also, with article, Philippians 4:5 (the King James Version "moderation," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"). In order to be gentle, we must not view ourselves as better than someone else. People should be able to see Christ in us because we are kind and gentle to others, even when they are not to us. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Some people would say that peace is the opposite of war, when there is no fighting or violence. His consolations are spoken gently ( Job 15:11 ). He supposed that the prisoners had escaped. - God Bless Greg & Darlene, Jesus Leadership Training 13854 Nantucket Ave Pickerington, Ohio, 43147 740-400-1230 ggaines1@insight.rr.com, https://www.facebook.com/Jesusleadershiptraining, What the Bible says on Forgiveness | PDF| Forgive |, 11 Bible Stories about Patience | Bible | Patience, What Does the Bible say About Agape Love | Bible | Agape, What Does the Bible say About the Beatitudes | Jesus | Bible, What Does the Bible say About Archangels | Verses |, What Does the Bible say Love is Not | Love | Verses | PDF |, 29 Purpose Filled Most Encouraging Verses in the Bible |, What Does the Bible Say God Looks Like | Bible Verses | PDF, What Does the Bible Say is the Unforgivable Sin | Blasphemy, 7 King David Characteristics in the Bible | Old Testament |. The apostle Paul stated that "a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be . Being gentle has a long history in many, but not all cultures. Gentleness is a virtue that is described in the Bible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is a requisite for a servant of God, particularly one in a responsible position of oversight. It's a way of life. However, Scripture reminds us that we are called to be gentle with others, even in the midst of difficult times. This means that when gentleness exists in your life, its because God has planted it there. They are finding things that have been overlooked for years. James contrasts gentleness with filthiness and rampant wickedness. It is the mark of being one of wisdom. As directed toward God, meekness and humility require the following: I. The opposite of temperance is self-indulgence. We have to ask ourselves if gentleness doesnt work, perhaps we are striving for the wrong kingdom. We learn to make their aims our aims. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. A few years ago, Robert Ringer wrote two best-selling books that even encouraged people to be aggressive in the dog-eat-dog business world. What is gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit? The Old Testament. The Holy Spirit wants us to cultivate this fruit of gentleness in our lives. 4.) It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Its hard to extend grace when someone has offended us. He healed the sick, preached to the masses, and showed compassion to everyone he met. This is why someone like Coco Chanel could say that gentleness doesnt get things done. We may not realize it, but we are graced a tremendous amount of power. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. synonyms The Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek NT defines it this way: Prautes denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge controlled strength, the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment; the ability to provide a soothing influence on someone who is in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life the word indicates an obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gentle attitude and kind acts toward others, and this often in the face of opposition.. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. The Greek word describes someone who has power but chooses not to use it harshly or selfishly. 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. The apostle Paul wrote, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). Listen to this story in the Bible about a not-very-gentle king: Tell story from 1 Kings 12:1-15. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered, or feels the need for revenge. They also tend to have better relationships with others. The world without Christ considers gentle people to be weak people, losers, doormats. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. It can be described with one word from the Book of Books. Galatians 5:23 says, against such there is no law.. That whole book was completely opposite of what we're going to talk about this morning, which is having a gentleness about our life. About 5 years ago, Robert Ringer wrote the book Looking Out For Number One. . I hope you enjoy and come back often. This is the spirit of gentleness that we are called to as followers of Christ. Gentleness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com) Gentleness is getting something done. The Bible teaches us that we should be gentle in all our relationshipseven with our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-28). Finally, we can incorporate gentleness into our own lives. Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. Download This Fruit Of The Spirit Bible Verse For Your Phone. The LORD recently spoke to me about how harsh I can be. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. attentiveness patience responsiveness tolerance willingness generosity personableness tenderness softness flexibility tenderheartedness niceness geniality understanding warmth amiability affability amiableness graciousness pleasantness kindliness benignity humaneness agreeability mercifulness manners kindheartedness thoughtfulness benevolence The Bridge Bible Fellowship. Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, But you, man of God, run from these things,and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,love, endurance, and gentleness. Show empathy. These verses can be applied to any relationship or interaction with have with others. It is amazing how ONE small act of kindness shown to our spouses can change the atmosphere of an entire day. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We are to exercise our spiritual strength in love. Our research shows that gentleness is the most overlooked fruit of the Spirit, and not by a little. 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. There is peace in our homes when nobody is arguing or fighting. W. Barclay, New Testament Words, pp. As our Lord and Master, He is not harsh, overbearing, and oppressive, but gentle in His government. Gentleness is one of the most important virtues in the Bible. In fact, the Bible tells us that we are to follow Gods example of gentleness (Ephesians 5:1). People will see Jesus in us when we are gentle. . Our natural response is anger and retaliation. As Yahweh's representative, the messianic king comes in humility and gentleness ( Zec 9:9 ). Consider Revelation 21 as a passage to meditate upon. The power of our words can be life-giving and diffuse a tense situation. I'm Megan, and this is my creative space. (Psalm 37:37) People of the world resolve conflict mostly by political power, forced conformity, or even brute force. He is slow to anger and forgiving of sinners. Paul then continues to model gentleness in the way he preaches (1 Thes 2:7 and 1 Cor 4:21). jen'-t'-l-nes (`anah; epieikeia, chrestotes): In 2Samuel 22:36 `anah, "to bend low," "to condescend," is translated "gentleness," "Thy gentleness hath made me great," the Revised Version, margin "or condescension"; so also Psalms 18:35, where the word is `anwah "humility," "gentleness," or "condescension." Colossians 3:20 (esv). Against such things there is no law. The Lord is near. Jesus' words mirror those spoken by David: Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. There is also peace with God. We are harsh and brutish when we are attempting to grab ahold of authority or power that isnt our own. Another pair of opposites in the Bible is innocence and guilt. We will be kind, patient, and humble. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take a moment to ask God for his gentleness, and then extend that same grace to those around you. Jesus has been relentlessly showing me that my character IN HIM is gentleness & self-control. This is why this grace is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. Ad revenue is generated off of page views. Often our harshness comes from a place of fear. It can be difficult to remain gentle when we have been hurt, but it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that nobody is perfect. Here is a sample of their uses. It takes a strong person to be truly gentle. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. This is what made him different from all other religious leaders of his time and it is one of the things that continues to make him loved and admired by so many people today. Gentle Christian Parenting is a participant in affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other sites at no extra cost to you. When you treat others gently you gain trust and respect. The power of gentleness should never be underestimated, especially when it comes to raising children. There is a strong connection in the bible between gentleness and the power of words. Its a quality of character. So much of the peace and harmony we seek is directly affected by how we treat others. Actually, gentleness requires quite a bit of strength and self-control. 11:29 NIV). I have been helped in the area of gentleness, Youre welcome glad to hear its helpful! However, God calls us to a higher standard. The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. A meek spirit, a gentle spirit, a quiet spirit. It's a peaceful, calm, and forgiving attitude. 94-96, 240-42; W. Bauder, NIDNTT, 2:256-64; H. Preisker, TDNT, 2:588-90; F. Hauck and S. Schulz, TDNT, 6:645-51. Crucify ego, self-will, and pride. Gentleness is the quality or characteristic of being kind, tender, mild-mannered, compassionate, and considerate. He does not keep record of our wrongs, but offers forgiveness if we come to Him. Doesnt gentleness keep us from getting things done? The Bible says that gentleness is not soon angry. (1 Cor. Jesus was also known for his gentleness. He is gentle with you. Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. The one who is truly wise and who has received the implanted word will be marked by gentleness. When we humble ourselves and remember that we too are sinners in need of forgiveness, it becomes easier to extend grace. Against such things there is no law. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Proud member We do this whenever we feel afraid of the future. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). His creation will end in a new beginning. Why Gentleness Is So Important As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. Gentleness on the other hand, deals with the way that one regards others. Philippians 2:3). But the Bible speaks differently. Gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world. Christlikeness begins with a willingness to forgive and move forward. 3. That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. It does not mean weakness, per se. Its a quality that we should all strive to embody, especially in our relationships with others. May we never forget the pit of sin the Lord dragged us from and become like the unmerciful servant. Bibliography. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will have the fruit of gentleness in our lives.
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