Gentleness: October 4, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2013.

GENTLENESS

DEFINITION:  

Mildness combined with tenderness; kind; mild-mannered; meek.

SCRIPTURE:

Let your gentleness be evident unto all. Philippians 4:5

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. I Timothy 6:11.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

One of the characteristics of Jesus was that when He was on this earth He was gentle. In Matthew we read about His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and it reads that He came as a gentle king.            

In Matthew 11:29 Jesus told us to "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."

In Isaiah 40:11 the prophet tells of the coming of the Lord and describes Jesus by saying that "He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather His lambs with His arms and gently lead those that are young."

Gentleness is a characteristic missing from lifestyles today. Very rarely will you meet a person that you would characterize as gentle. People are not gentle by nature. The trait of gentleness is demonstrated in our actions and mannerisms. Gentleness is graciousness with humility; being merciful and kind; tenderhearted and forgiving. Gentleness is shown by showing leniency to the faults and failures of others and enduring mistreatment from others without retaliation. By nature we are more likely to be hard-hearted and cruel and ready to fight back.

The apostle Paul exhorts us in II Timothy 2:24, "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach and be patient."

At times in our everyday lives there seems to be a conflict as to how we are to respond to situations. We must consciously work on responding as the scriptures tell us by being gentle, mild and tender in our response.

Paul tells Timothy (also in the verse above) to flee from the things that bring ruin and destruction and pursue a life that constantly shows righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness.

The believer’s goal is to become like Jesus and live a righteous life. If we desire to be righteous we will be loving, patient, kind and gentle as Jesus was. James instructs us to be “slow to become angry, for a man’s anger does not bring about a righteous life that God desires.” James 1: 19-20.

We have a choice. We can follow the Lord and be gentle or we can be harsh and antagonistic but we cannot be both. When we choose to follow Him the Holy Spirit will bring into our lives such things as gentleness and kindness and lead us in the path of righteousness.

In Proverbs 15:1 it reads that a gentle and kind answer turns away wrath, but a harsh answer stirs up anger. How do you respond to people and situations? Consider responding today to every situation that comes your way with gentleness and see what God does for you in your relationship with others.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 21:13.

He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.

PRAYER:

Help me to learn the secret of being gentle. May the gentleness that I read about in Your Word be transferred to my life. May gentleness, kindness, godliness and meekness become part of my life.