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. You could also have the children play the role . It is important to remember that as Christians we are called to more than this. We have swallowed the worlds view of power and control. Throughout history, there have been many gentle people who have made a difference in the world. So when the Messiah came at last, many assumed he was going to be a cultural and political Savior,. It is the opposite of harshness and roughness. Required fields are marked *. What Does the Bible say about Vegetarianism vs Meat eating | Eat Meat in the Bible, 9 Examples of Gentleness in the Bible | Gentle, The Fruit of Gentleness in the New Testament, The Power of Gentleness in Leading men To Christ, The Power of Gentleness with our Children, Final Thoughts Examples of Gentleness in the Bible, 140622eng-gotfruitseriespart5-gentlenessbyjocelyntan-140622233213-phpapp01, Use Google Church Grant For Your Church $10,000 / Month - God Bless Steve, Stuck on Sermon / Need Class Ideas / Outlines / Ask Ja, Copyright 1920-2023 Jesus Leadership Training. Gentleness Defined Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. Before we can begin to unpack what it means to have gentleness we must first look into the meaning of the word. But for me, it was quite revelatory. He will still be gentle and lowly in heart. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. We may not realize it, but we are graced a tremendous amount of power. How different things would have been if Paul had not shown such gentleness! This means more that which is fitting, right, and equitable. Think of this more as being kind and nice. 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. For some, gentleness can be a tough . When we are gentle with our children, we model for them the way God treats uswith patience, understanding, and love. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is patience? Teach Them Obedience. 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 Greek word describes someone who has power but chooses not to use it harshly or selfishly. I am not affectionate, and I fail to give loving hugs. We never know when our gentleness will lead someone to Christ. Gentleness doesn't come naturally. "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". Here is a sample of their uses. Consider Revelation 21 as a passage to meditate upon. Reach out to the person who hurt you and try to reconcile. 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. Resentfulness and divisiveness. What does this look like? As our Lord and Master, He is not harsh, overbearing, and oppressive, but gentle in His government. The world is full of harshness and rudeness. 5 Jun. But the more we come to know the God who holds our future, as well as where God is taking us, the less prone we will be to carry around a harsh and bitter spirit within our hearts. We grow in gentleness much in the way that we grow in every fruitwe abide in Jesus. There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. What comes to your mind when you think of gentleness? The picture would be exponentially worse than a very small child trying to hold a kitten, not wielding his power correctly and doing irreparable harm to the small animal. Proud member That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. Your email address will not be published. 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. We will be kind, patient, and humble. In fact, the Bible tells us that we are to follow Gods example of gentleness (Ephesians 5:1). When we follow Gods example of gentleness, we are displaying the character of Christ to a lost and dying world. Gentleness, also translated "meekness," does not mean weakness. . For some, this might be a no-brainer. If this is also important to you and you want to teach your children how to be kind and loving, then well benefit from learning what gentleness means in the Bible. Gentleness extends grace (undeserved favor), love, and kindness to even the most difficult-to-like people. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. He healed the sick, preached to the masses, and showed compassion to everyone he met. We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Online Christian Articles and Information Hub. But it is also important to remember that he was a man who was deeply compassionate and full of mercy. To have gentleness is to have a gentle spirit or nature about you. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. We need to be intentional about showing our spouse gentleness. We do this whenever we feel afraid of the future. His manner is not harsh or abrasive. Father / Grandfather / Minister / Missionary / Deacon / Elder / Author / Required fields are marked *. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. The Bible says that gentleness is not soon angry. (1 Cor. Its the opposite of anger and harshness. It is described as a quiet spirit, will not harm a bruised reed the shield of your salvation. 2. This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! Below are a few examples of how to practice this virtue in your life. We could all use some extra tips for living out gentleness these days. It is important to have an accurate perception of what gentleness is. We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. Gentleness may be one of the greatest needs in our day. This is similar language to what Paul used in 1 Corinthians 4:21, when he contrasts gentleness with coming to them with a rod.. Salem Media Group. 5 Steps to Achieving the Fruit of Gentleness (or Meekness) that Leads to Blessedness. 9. Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. In doing so, we reflect the character of our Heavenly Father and demonstrate his love to the world. To understand what gentleness looks like in practice, lets look at some examples from scripture: Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and it's not just a nice thing to be. This is because gentleness doesn't come very naturally to me. We take those $ and give them to developing our Children's Programs. "He will feed his flock like a shepherd. Other faithful followers found this to be true (Job 29:22, 2 Timothy 2:25). Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone (Titus 3:1-2). Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. And these are the people whom I admire the most. To me, its important to raise my children with gentleness and tenderness. Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered, or feels the need for revenge. God wants us to be gentle to others. We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.. A. 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. Meditate on Scripture verses about forgiveness and grace. He cares tenderly for the flock under his care, and "gently leads those that have young" ( Isa 40:11 ). Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It can be described with one word from the Book of Books. God is gentle with us, and we are called to be gentle with others. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. After all, he was a man who was without sin and yet he showed great compassion and mercy towards others, even those who were sinners. Listen more than you speak or act (James 1:19). The qualities to which gentleness is joined elucidate its setting and character. Focus on the positive qualities of the person who hurt you instead of their negative actions. They are often areas where we carry deep wounds and trauma from our past. Be considerate of others feelings and needs. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Its a way of life. We are to exercise our spiritual strength in love. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); My Goal Is to Inspire You and Help You Have Fun Serving Our Lord - Have Fun Greg, 11/22 I added a New Feature - There will be a JLT Video Video that you can play - It will Show Lesson in Caption Form - If you turn on your sound it will Read it to You -I will have all added by 3/23 - God Bless Greg, 12/22 I have added a New Feature - Where applicable I will add a Quiz - to sharpen your knowledge going forward as we do lessons - Feel Free to Use it as you Like - Have Fun Greg, 1/12/23 I Have Added a New Category - Bible Verses on - The Topic We are Covering Will Now have a List of Associated Bible Verses - Enjoy, 2/17/2023 I Have Added a New Feature Each Lesson will Have a Unique Facts Page about the Topic - Enjoy Greg, 2/10/2023 I have Begun a New Series of Lessons - "What does the Bible Say About" I am Working Through Major Topics in Bakers Illustrated Bible Dictionary - for my Topics (Adding 30 Topics / Month} - Feel free to use - Greg, Leading Missionary Teams for 40 Years"Where Their is No Vision - The People Perish" KJVProverbs 29:18" As Iron Sharpens Iron - So One Person Sharpens Another"Proverbs 27:17"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Note here that the opposite of gentleness is a desire for revenge, anger, and self -aggrandizement. 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! Here are some steps you can take to learn how to be more gentle with others: 1. But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). From these examples of gentleness in the bible, we can picture a soft touch, calm reassurance, and a loving hand. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Instead, gentleness is a strength that comes from God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We are to be calm and respectful when speaking with others. This verse tells us that we should not only be kind toward others but also put their needs before our own. All rights reserved. When Jesus said Blessed are the meek, He was not talking about people who are doormats or pushovers. of It Yields good fruits in the gentleness of christ by a gentle spirit and a gentle answer. So glad to hear it was encouraging to you it is extra challenging to be gentle when we feel like our needs are being intruded on. W. Barclay, New Testament Words, pp. For starters, Gentleness is the opposite of anger. This is why someone like Coco Chanel could say that gentleness doesnt get things done. Gentleness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com) Gentleness also means that we are patient with those who disagree with us, because they may have valid reasons for their position or opinion. Jesus teaches us, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. I am not affectionate, and I fail to give loving hugs. We need His help to be gentle! Consider others as important and worthy of kind regard. Believers ensnared by sin must be restored gently ( Gal 6:1 ). Being gentle has a long history in many, but not all cultures. Scripture says for a woman to have that internal heart attitude of meekness or gentleness and a quiet spirit gives her a beauty that is imperishable. I was defending my need to not have my thoughts intruded upon frequently. That king, now come in the flesh, is "gentle and humble in heart" ( Matt 11:29 ). The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. This is why this grace is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. Your email address will not be published. Often our harshness comes from a place of fear. It takes a strong person to be truly gentle. Gentleness is an important virtue because it makes the world a better place. The Bible says that gentleness is "not soon angry." (1 Cor. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab522d57b5eb8560ccf33254c1125cdc" );document.getElementById("e218d56cc5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The disciple James also wrote that Christians should be gentle toward all men (James 1:27). Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.. Gentleness is getting something done. 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. . Gentleness is a value and quality in one's character. We who have the mind of Christ ought to also have at our core a gentleness of spirit. ( Matt. He can exercise each office concurrently while at the same time not neglecting any of the other attributes . It requires great strength and self-control. Bible Verses About Protecting The Environment, Bible Verses About Protecting The Innocent, Bible Verses About Protecting The Vulnerable, Bible Verses About Pretending To Be Someone Else, Bible Verses About Proclaiming The Word Of God, Bible Verses About Praying For Lost Souls, Bible Verses About Premarital Relationships, Bible Verses About Practicing What You Preach, Bible Verses About Praising God In Hard Times, Bible Verses About Praising God With Music, Bible Verses About Poverty And Homelessness, Bible Verses About Power In The Name Of Jesus, Bible Verses About Practice Makes Perfect, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days KJV, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days, Bible Verses About Physical Pain And Healing. Not only does it mean being kind to people who are kind to you, but also it means being kind even when someone isnt nice back! The word is most frequently used by Paul, James, and Peter. Gentleness is powerful because it is godly. Pray for God to help you forgive those who have hurt you. These individuals were known for their kindness, care, and compassion for others. Download This Fruit Of The Spirit Bible Verse For Your Phone. Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. Gentleness comes from a state of humility. Its a quality of character. Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered, or feels the need for revenge. Its the opposite of harshness, and it means that we dont try to force our beliefs or ideas on others. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. Always be humble andgentle. It's about how we treat others, even when they don't treat us well. II Corinthians 10:1 refers to Christ's meekness ( prautes) and gentleness ( epieikeia) as separate virtues. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. . Posted On mayo 20, 2021 Round table will begin shortly after services. How is God gentle? Church leaders are admonished to be "not violent but gentle" toward persons under their care ( 1 Tim 3:3 ); it is a quality they are avidly to pursue ( 1 Tim 6:11 ). When we receive a . Jesus has been relentlessly showing me that my character IN HIM is gentleness & self-control. This is the spirit of gentleness that we are called to as followers of Christ. But the opposite is true. 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. You canread my full affiliate disclosure here. In order to be gentle, we must not view ourselves as better than someone else. (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 our increasingly polarized society, Christians are also succumbing to the idea that what we really need is brute strength to get things done. Be subject to and obey God's word. In doing so we will win over those who hear us. . We're more likely to listen and understand others when we're gentle. Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. When a Christian leader falls, it is almost always due to a lack of self-control and personal discipline. It stands in contrast to baseness ( Deuteronomy 28:54 Deuteronomy 28:56 ), harshness ( 2 Sam 18:5 ), and wildness ( Job 41:3 ). We need to allow God to work in us so that we can be more like Jesus every day. So, you might be surprised to know the Bible has much to say about gentleness. 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 antonyms What is the opposite word for Gentleness? Gentleness is a virtue that is described in the Bible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is self-control. We may picture someone who is easily intimidated or who shrinks back from conflict. The gentleness of our God has the attributes of love, grace, mercy as well as judgment. Salem Media Group. The biblical book of James says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6). Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. Paul appeals to believers "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" ( 2 Cor 10:1 ). Why is it important for us to follow Gods example of gentleness? A meek spirit, a gentle spirit, a quiet spirit. 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." Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. See 4236 (praotes).. For the believer, meekness (4240 /prats, "gentle-force") begins with the Lord's inspiration and finishes by His direction and . And it is to those who are gentle and meek who will inherit the earththe gentle are the ones who receive Gods rescue. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. In Galatians it is a mark of being led by the Spirit and it is shown as an example of walking in step with the Spirit in Galatians 6:1. Paul then continues to model gentleness in the way he preaches (1 Thes 2:7 and 1 Cor 4:21). Beginning and End God has neither beginning nor end. Colossians 3:20 (esv). To be gentle means showing love and care for others in how you act and speak. Advertisement What is the value of gentleness? Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). Gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world. Gentleness can also be a sign of strength, not weakness. The apostle Paul wrote that gentleness was one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). In sum, the Scriptures show God as a kind and gentle leader. Sometimes gentleness is used interchangeably with "meekness" in the Bible. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matt. What is gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit? When we are full of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be seen in our lives. After everyone left, Jesus did not condemn the woman, and said to her, Go now and leave your life of sin (John 8:11). In the Bible, gentleness is a virtue that many people are encouraged to develop. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. 11:29 NIV). As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. The fruit of the Spirit is essentially the character of Jesus. There is peace in our homes when nobody is arguing or fighting. Speak the truth but watch your tone so that the truth will be well received, however painful it may be. Gentleness has been a topic of discussion since the beginning of time. synonyms There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. All Rights Reserved. When Jesus needed to not be interupted, he went off to a place to pray- my sons understand when I am in my room with the door closed. . 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. When someone considers someone to have the quality of epiekes, they would say that this is a pleasurable person to be around. Gentleness is typically used as an opposite of harshness. We like to think that if Jesus were on earth today, hed be carrying around a whip. Galatians 5:23 says, against such there is no law.. A soft Answer shows us Gods Gentleness and points us toward the tree of life. In the New Testament Jesus comes as the perfect example of being gentle and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29). He is gentle with you. 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. hardness docility, intentional mildness roughness docility, intentional mildness abruptness steepness harshness imperviousness docility, intentional mildness precipitousness brutality unkindness Filters Most terms are nouns Suggest The Lord is near. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus takes upon himself this descriptor: I am gentle and lowly in heart., And when Jesus tells us what animates him most deeply, what is most true of himwhen he exposes the innermost recesses of his beingwhat we find there is: gentle and lowly. (Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 19). 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. All rights reserved. According to that definition, one could say that gentleness isnt doing, it is being done to. I am too busy to listen to my child's story. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. In accord with the prophecy, he enters Jerusalem in gentleness and lowliness ( Matt 21:5 ). In fact, it mentions it in several places. Such an invitation, from such a person, is precious beyond words. (Psalm 37:37) People of the world resolve conflict mostly by political power, forced conformity, or even brute force. Each aspect of this fruit is characteristic of Christ Jesus. I'm Megan, and this is my creative space. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. When we humble ourselves and trust in Gods strength, we can show gentleness even to those who are difficult to love. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Let's think of when Jesus portrayed kindness and gentleness. A gentle heart comes from having love for others. And once again the Lord is working for their rescue. hardness. We may thinkthat those who are harsh will get things done, but we have to look at the fruit. Gentleness is the quality of being kind and considerate.