“Fruit of the Spirit – Gentleness”

**INTRODUCTION

Hello and welcome to “Key to the Kingdom.” My name is Bret McCasland. Compared to the other eight Fruit of the Spirit, gentleness does not receive much attention. It is next to the last one listed there in Galatians chapter 5. The only one behind it is self-control. And yet, gentleness is just as important as the rest. Even though gentleness may not get much attention, the Spirit empowers us with a full measure of it for a reason. Sometimes it is tempting to not be gentle, but to respond to people or situations in harsh or overpowering ways. Sometimes we are not careful and we don't consider the feelings of others before we interact with or respond to them. But gentleness is not just something that is always on our mind. It is something that we need to make sure we practice. In today's lesson on “Key to the Kingdom,” we will look at some Bible passages that demonstrate God's gentleness. We will also consider other passages that give us some guidance as to the importance of living a gentle life. Being filled with some of the other Fruit of the Spirit may receive more attention, but the Fruit of the Spirit, gentleness, however, still needs our full attention. I hope you will join us today, for the next few minutes, as we consider what gentleness can and should look like in the lives of those who follow Jesus Christ. Let us now study together.

**LESSON

In Galatians chapter 5, the Apostle Paul identified nine characteristics that belong to those who are part of God's family. They are called the Fruit of the Spirit, and perhaps we are most familiar with them. Well, in a previous lesson here on “Key to the Kingdom,” we looked at Fruit number four, that being patience. And with that, we read this definition: It is the ability to endure such things as hostility and criticism without demonstrating anger. Well, closely related to that is Fruit number eight, gentleness. Here is that definition: Responding to hostility and criticism without demonstrating aggression. Well, that's very similar to the definition of patience. And in both instances, patience and gentleness, the following is true: When the hostility and criticism come from people we know, or even from those we don't know, others are watching how we respond. You know, the Fruit called gentleness is what I want us to talk about in our Bible study today. You know, all of us have experienced times when harsh or mean words were spoken to us. We have been involved in conflicts and quarrels. We have felt rejection from those whom we thought were our friends. We have been hurt or perhaps even emotionally damaged by our family members or even very close associates. And when that happens, we will respond by controlling our tongue and our temper, if we are filled up with God's Holy Spirit. We will respond with gentleness. And I realize that's hard. Sometimes it is more difficult than at other times. But in order to properly respond to other people, we are to realize that those people who hurt us are just like us, in that we are all made in the image of God. They have feelings just like we have feelings. And even though they might act in a certain way, God calls upon us to act with gentleness. Another word that helps us to understand the concept of gentleness is the word humility. In fact, the Apostle Paul combines those two words in Ephesians chapter 4: <Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.> Now, those words did not resonate well with the Apostle Paul's original readers. The people scattered throughout the area of Galatia did not view gentleness as a virtue. They saw gentleness as a display of weakness or even a lack of power, and that went against their boasting or their arrogant nature. And for many the thought was real men are strong and powerful and dominant, and that was very different from being gentle. And that prideful spirit is still present in both men and women today. And so the Bible presents a very different way for Christians to live. Let's consider this Fruit called gentleness as we look at the ultimate example to follow, that being our Heavenly Father. The Psalmists do a great job of describing the gentleness of God. In Psalm 23 David compares God to a gentle shepherd who cares for the needs of his sheep. He leads them to calm water to drink and to green pastures in which to graze. He protects the flock in times of danger and uncertainty. In Psalm number 103, God is gentle, like a parent who knows his children are weak and vulnerable. And we can envision God coming alongside of us in the moments when we are weak or vulnerable to sin or to the temptations of this world. In Isaiah chapter 40, verse 11, we find that the Lord tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads those who have young. And we can connect with that, can't we? We think about our Father leading us and protecting us and pointing us in the right direction and carrying us in His arms when we are struggling, when we have loss and pain in our life. In the Book called Deuteronomy, God is pictured as a caring father who carries his children away from danger and provides for their needs. And we need that too, don't we? He takes us away from problems that are going to perhaps even destroy us. I think about the words of the Apostle Paul over in Philippians chapter 4, verse 19, where he wrote, <My God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.> You know, God provides for us, and He does so in a very gentle way. Let's look at some examples of that. Do you remember the story of Hagar? She was a servant in Abraham's household, but yet she also had a child with Abraham, and that child's name was Ishmael. Well, Abraham's wife, Sarah, living there also, did not like that; and you can only imagine the problems that created. She was mean. She was abusive to Hagar and even to Ishmael, even to the point God said, “Hagar, you need to leave.” And so she and Ishmael left Abraham's home. She wandered in the wilderness with her young son, and they both faced imminent death. There were problems, difficulties. They ran out of food and water. And yet, in the midst of that pain, the Lord saw her. He saw the son. He comforted Hagar as she sat under that tree watching and waiting for her son to die. But the Lord heard her cry for help. He gave her food to eat and water to drink. The Lord then promised that Ishmael would be the father of a great nation. With a gentle hand, the Lord blessed this single mother. Do you remember the story of Elijah? In 1st Kings, chapter 19, Elijah was depressed. He was suicidal, even. And he ran away from Ahab and Jezebel because they were seeking to take away his life. He ran to the mountain of God, called Horeb, and he hid out in a cave. And yet, God knew he was there and He called Elijah to come out in front of that cave. And this is what happened: The Lord passed by the entrance to the cave, and we noticed these words in verse 12, after the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. You know, God's presence passed in front of Elijah in earthquakes, wind and fire. And God was not in any of that. But yet Elijah heard the gentle whisper of the Lord. And with that He inspired His prophet for another task, to go out and to anoint the next King of Israel, and then to find Elisha, the one who would take his place. Throughout His ministry, Jesus followed that example set by His Heavenly Father. He was not belligerent. He was not aggressive when His enemies sought to take Him down. Jesus did not belittle His family when they accused Him of being crazy or out of His mind. But His gentle spirit carried over into all of His relationships. You might remember the story of that Samaritan woman. In John chapter 4, He met up with this woman in a place that was near Jacob's Well. In fact, He even asked her to give Him something to drink. But He spoke directly to this Samaritan woman, knowing full well the challenges she faced. After having five husbands, she was now living with a man who was not her husband. Here was a woman who was perhaps a victim of the men’s arrogance and abusive ways. She had no rights to call her own, as women in that day and time had very little say when a husband wanted to divorce her. In fact, she was even rejected by the other women there in the village, and that's why she had to come out at the noon-time hour in order to draw water. But if you think about this story, we know that with a gentle conversation Jesus offered her living water. You might even recall the story of Jesus speaking to those who had not received the message of John the Baptist. He was one who was sent to prepare the people's heart to receive Jesus, and many had not yet done that. They continued to live in sin and rebellion. They were not ready to hear the Good News message Jesus had to offer. And so to the people living in the little villages on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus told them to soften their hearts and to receive what He had in store. In a very direct way He warned them of the judgment that was coming if they did not repent. But then He offered these encouraging and gentle words, in Matthew 11 verses 28 and following: <Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls, For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.> Yes, with a gentle and a humble heart, Jesus provided rest. Now, there are many other examples in the Bible that we can look at in regards to Jesus and to His Father's gentleness; and how, with a humble spirit, they connected and related to people. Well, what does that gentleness now look like in our lives? You know, in our culture today, a spirit of gentleness is not necessarily very high on one's priority list. Many of the things our world laughs at, Paul lists as qualities that we are to possess if we want to look more like Jesus; and that includes these nine Fruit of the Spirit, there in Galatians chapter 5. Paul himself demonstrated gentleness in his own life. In 2nd Corinthians chapter 10, verse 1, these are his words: <By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you.> You know, with the spirit of Jesus, he addressed the Christians there in the city of Corinth with humility and gentleness, because he had something very important to share with them. One would think he wasn't very gentle in what he had to say, but he was, because he was very sincere in what he had to say, and he spoke in a spirit of humility. He was concerned about the spiritual condition of these believers. And so in a gentle way he encouraged them to get along with one another. He encouraged them to reconcile the differences they had with each other. And he did so by offering a gentle and a humble message. We see that again in the letter called Galatians. In chapter 6 he wrote these words to those Christians: <Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore them in a spirit of Gentleness.> Now, it's interesting to notice that verse, chapter 6 verse 1, is found just four verses after Paul identifies those nine Fruit of the Spirit, back in chapter 5. When working with those who are dealing with or trying to overcome sin in their life, it is to be done in a spirit of gentleness. How often is that done, even within the church? We can recall a time, perhaps, when someone was dealing with sin in his or her life, and the last place they wanted to go for any kind of help was the church. Perhaps that has happened with us or even with someone we might know. And why was that? Sometimes Christians are too quick to pass judgment on the sins of their fellow Christians. It may be because we say things that discourage instead of encourage those who are struggling and who need some help. Oh, there are times when appropriate church discipline needs to take place, or when someone needs some correction in regards to sin in his or her life. And yet, in every case and with every person, that is to be done in a spirit of what; gentleness! That guilty person has probably had enough criticism from other people, and they feel the shame. They feel and experience the embarrassment of messing up. They need someone who is filled with God's Spirit to be gentle with them. Here's another example of what gentleness is to look like in our lives. We find it in 2nd Timothy chapter 2: <The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth.> You know, that instruction not only applies to church leaders, but also to others who have the opportunity to share the truth of God's Word. How many times have we heard the statement, people do not care how much you know, unless they know how much you care? And that's the idea presented here. We care enough about other people to share in a gentle way the things that we might know that can help someone else. Paul wrote another similar statement in Titus chapter 3. <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, always to be gentle toward everyone.> Oh, Paul reminds them to do several different things in this passage. But then at the very end, he seems to make a special point to always be gentle with everyone. Well, again, those words apply to all of us. Gentleness is to be at the foundation of all of our relationships. I cannot think of a time when Jesus, in the Bible, slandered anyone. Even though He received so much slanderous remarks, He never retaliated. Paul encourages us to do the same. He reminds us to not only be gentle with our rulers and toward everyone, but to be gentle with those who are brothers and sisters in Christ, and even with those who are not. Perhaps you recall the story of the Apostle Peter. It's no secret, Peter messed up. Peter denied knowing Jesus Christ three times when Jesus needed him the most. He denied knowing Him. But then, after Jesus died on the cross and was buried and rose from the grave, He met up with Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. And on that occasion, Peter acknowledged that he loved Jesus three times. And upon hearing that, Jesus then gave Peter a new mission; and that was to, feed My sheep. And that simply means take care of My followers. I can just imagine how Jesus received Peter and gave him that message in a spirit of gentleness. Peter, the failure, became Peter the forgiven. And with that in mind, Peter even wrote these words: <Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.> Over and over again, throughout Scripture, we find the examples and the teaching to live a life of gentleness. We are to be gentle with those who find themselves in difficult situations. We are to be gentle with those who are unrepentant or who are in need of help overcoming sin in their life. We are to be gentle with those who are seeking spiritual rest. We are to be gentle with those who are seeking the living water which come from the Lord. We are to be gentle with those who are arrogant and show us little respect. We are to be gentle with our fellow church members and with those who are not. Yes, the Lord puts us into situations and among people so that we can demonstrate the Fruit of gentleness. And as He does, we will face the danger, to gratify the desires of the flesh and to live like the world, but we will also face the opportunity to live by the Holy Spirit of God. And I trust that we will choose wisely. Perhaps the best way to demonstrate the Fruit of gentleness is to live a life of humility; and we have seen how those two things come together. We might even say it this way: Before we can be gentle with others, we are to be humble before God. A person who is filled up with God's Holy Spirit never has a reason to be superior or to act aggressively with anyone. Today, we recalled many stories about how the Fruit of gentleness was demonstrated in the actions of God, His son, Jesus Christ, the Apostles, Peter and Paul. And, no doubt, those stories will be remembered for a long time. You know, from time to time, I wonder what kind of stories will be told about me after I am gone. And I hope you think about the same thing. What will people say about our gentleness, or our lack of it, in all of our relationships? As I think about that, I want to end today by simply inviting you to ask yourself this following question: How will I demonstrate the Fruit of gentleness as I am led by God's Holy Spirit, this week?

**VIDEO CLIP

Stores like this one receive and then redistribute clothes. And that's very important. They receive clothes from people who have used them in the past, and they want to donate them for the well-being of others. And that's necessary, because many people don't have the necessary clothes to wear on a regular basis, and it's a good thing that shops like this exist. There’s one thing, however, in regards to the donation of clothes, and that is they are to be gently used. In other words, they don't need a bunch of holes and tears in their jeans or shirts; or, they need to look somewhat respectable. They need to be gently used. When I think about that, I think about our relationships. We are to be gentle in our relationships with one another. We are not to be rude or obtrusive. We are not to be abusive in some ways toward other people. But yet we speak with one another in a gentle manner. We are kind, we are encouraging, and we speak with patience and humility. The Bible teaches us the importance of living with gentleness. In fact, the Apostle Paul includes it as one of the nine Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians chapter 5. It's important to be gentle. Jesus was gentle. Our Heavenly Father is gentle with us. And with that we are to learn and to practice gentleness in our relationships with one another. I would encourage us today to think about our interactions with other people and let us strive to be gentle with everyone whom God puts before us.  

**CONCLUSION

Thank you for joining us for today's episode on “Key to the Kingdom.” The Fruit of the Spirit called gentleness tends to slow us down and cause us to consider how we live a more gentle life. It is also important we demonstrate gentleness in the words we speak and in our actions with others. This message will be uploaded onto our website. It, along with many other messages, can be found at keytothekingdom.com, and they all can be downloaded in a variety of formats. It does not cost anything to do so and no commitment is required. Other information and Bible studies are also on the website. They, too, are easily accessible and might be of benefit as you study the Bible. It can also be downloaded onto smart-phones through a free phone app. And we would welcome you to find the avenue that is most convenient. It is always a pleasure to share these weekly messages on this channel. Thank you for tuning in today and I hope you will join us again next time, as we continue to study the Bible on “Key to the Kingdom.”