Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Gentleness is a virtue that is described in the Bible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. 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 ). Gentleness may be one of the greatest needs in our day. Consider how you talk to yourself. That king, now come in the flesh, is "gentle and humble in heart" ( Matt 11:29 ). The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is peace? opposite of gentleness in the bible. There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. 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. It is related to another Greek word often used in the New Testament, (tapeinophrosyne), which speaks of humility or lowliness of mind. It's the opposite of anger and harshness. We grow in gentleness by surrounding ourselves with gentle people. Gentleness helps us experience Jesus. The world without Christ considers gentle people to be weak people, losers, doormats. In sum, the Scriptures show God as a kind and gentle leader. You canread my full affiliate disclosure here. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is more than just being nice and kind and caring towards others; its actually the quality of God Himself who has been poured out into our hearts by His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). It's a beauty that cannot fade away. Gentleness is something Christians must learn. The Holy Spirit wants us to cultivate this fruit of gentleness in our lives. Matthew 18:21-35. About 5 years ago, Robert Ringer wrote the book Looking Out For Number One. Gentleness is a marker of power used and handled properly. Gentleness is a value and quality in one's character. God himself spoke to Elijah as a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). Galatians 5:22-23. Instead, gentleness is a strength that comes from God. It should not be seen as a weakness, but rather as a strength. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. As you seek to grow more gentle, focusing on or memorizing these verses will strengthen you and help you be more successful. Why is it important for Christians to be gentle? The person who is "cool with everything," who is never disagreeable, who always compliments and never criticizes, is not necessarily gentle. And that is exactly what this world needs to see in us instead of harsh words, gentle words showing us as gentle people. Violence, aggression, abuse, or brutality. 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. Your email address will not be published. This is similar to how Peter uses the word (1 Peter 3:16). Although gentleness in the Bible is also translated as "meekness". Gentleness extends grace (undeserved favor), love, and kindness to even the most difficult-to-like people. They also tend to have better relationships with others. Is It True That Gentleness Gets Nothing Done. Such an invitation, from such a person, is precious beyond words. The Bible is filled with examples of gentleness, both from God and from Jesus. In the Old Testament, gentleness is illustrated in the bible as a stream or river (Isaiah 8:6) and also to a shepherd caring for his flock of lambs (Isaiah 40:11). But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. Ill be blunt and say that one of the best things you can do to grow in a spirit of gentleness would be to turn off the 24-hour news stations and talk radio. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. In our increasingly polarized society, Christians are also succumbing to the idea that what we really need is brute strength to get things done. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. We will see that gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3','ezslot_1',624,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3-0'); Gentleness is often seen as a virtue, and it is praised throughout history. Paul appeals to believers "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" ( 2 Cor 10:1 ). Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. Against such things there is no law. We need to allow God to work in us so that we can be more like Jesus every day. Just as with the humble we see that God is working to defend and rescue the poor. The word can also be used to translate another Hebrew word that refers to things like enduring hardship (Psalm 132:1), toil and trouble (Psalm 89:10). Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics. But what does it mean to be gentle? 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 Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love (Ephesians 4:2). When we develop lazy attitudes in some areas, that laziness tends to spread to other areas as well. 8. Even in His rebuke, God restrains Himself and speaks with a gentle tone (1 Kings 19:12). I was defending my need to not have my thoughts intruded upon frequently. 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. Heres everything you need to know about this virtue and how you can use it in your life! It does not mean weakness, per se. While many view meekness as a weakness, it is actually strength under control. We will be kind, patient, and humble. You can dramatize the king's voice, especially on the repetition of the young men's council. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. This means that when we see someone in need, we can no longer ignore them or pass them off as someone elses problem. The Bible says that gentleness is not soon angry. (1 Cor. 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. All rights reserved. Being gentle has a long history in many, but not all cultures. It doesnt have to be an extravagant gesture, something as simple as offering to rub their tired feet or making them a cup of tea when you see them looking frazzled can make such a difference. Galatians 2:20. Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). A gentle touch or kind word can go a long way in building trust and rapport, fostering cooperation and obedience. This is shown in our thoughts and in the way we interact with those around us. It is amazing how ONE small act of kindness shown to our spouses can change the atmosphere of an entire day. 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). Salem Media Group. It's a way of life. Its a quality that we should all strive to embody, especially in our relationships with others. Galatians 5:22-25. The Bible is replete with commands for us to be gentle. He went peacefully to His death because He knew it was the only way to save us from our sins. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Fashion designer Coco Chanel once remarked, gentleness doesnt get work done unless you happen to be a hen laying eggs., Sadly, this dismissal of gentleness is not reserved for the world. Jesus was also known for his gentleness. Practice patience and kindness in your everyday interactions with others. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem entitled "The Village Blacksmith" gives us a wonderful demonstration of genuine gentleness. We can ask Him to reveal ways we can show gentleness to others so that we may reflect His character. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. They are believed to have been as close as anyone possible. Teach Them Obedience. But the Bible speaks differently. Gentleness is typically used as an opposite of harshness. One example is found in 1 Peter 3:4-5: But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious., Another example is found in Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.. 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. The Old Testament. Its the opposite of anger and harshness. When we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Jesus' words mirror those spoken by David: Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. Gentleness is feeling this way about other human beings. And as we engage others we should avoid quarreling with them but should instead have perfect courtesy toward all people. Here Christ makes a connection between gentleness and humility. 5 Jun. (Psalm 37:37) People of the world resolve conflict mostly by political power, forced conformity, or even brute force. But what does it mean to be gentle? But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1). Your email address will not be published. There is one main Greek word translated gentlenessprauetes. There are two other types of peace. Gentleness remembers that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and we are all trying to find our way through this ungentle world. One definition comes from Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness. Another translation says, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering. The word for gentleness here means strength under control or power working itself out in love. The opposite of gentleness is anger, a desire for revenge, and self-importance. This means more that which is fitting, right, and equitable. Think of this more as being kind and nice. This means that when we see someone in need, we can no longer ignore them or pass them off as someone elses problem. In doing so, we reflect the character of our Heavenly Father and demonstrate his love to the world. Colossians 3:20 (esv). People should be able to see Christ in us because we are kind and gentle to others, even when they are not to us. "Entry for 'GENTLENESS'". Do you ever find yourself thinking this way? He was always willing to forgive those who had sinned against him and he always treated others with respect, no matter who they were. Meekness however may be distinguished from gentleness in that meekness is the way one regards oneself, and is therefore described in the Scriptures as 'lowliness of mind.' (e.g. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? This means more "that which is fitting, right, and equitable." 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. unkindness. Therefore, as followers of Jesus we are called to exhibit this character trait in our own lives. Ad revenue is generated off of page views. Baseness or wildness. In addition, gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit, so when we choose to respond with gentleness, even in tough situations, we are bearing witness to the power of God working in our lives. God provides many examples of gentleness in the bible, Jesus himself being the best model. The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. 11 Points: How Did Aaron Die in the Bible? There are many benefits to being gentle. But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance andgentleness (I Timothy 6:11). That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. synonyms We see in Jesus a deeper definition of gentleness. In fact, it was his gentleness that allowed him to touch the hearts of so many people and change their lives forever. of One of the most important lessons we can teach our children is gentleness. By his Spirit, Christ cultivates the same quality in his people ( Gal 5:23 ). As directed toward God, meekness and humility require the following: I. In the 1960s, one man decided to use heavy equipment and bulldozers to move earth and get 100 feet below ground to access the treasure. It seems to be synonymous with being a good person. 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. We do this whenever we feel afraid of the future. It is necessary, then, that we wield this authority with gentleness. Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). The fruit of the Spirit is essentially the character of Jesus. Focus on the positive qualities of the person who hurt you instead of their negative actions. Its the opposite of harshness, and it means that we dont try to force our beliefs or ideas on others. He emphasizes the gentle aspect of meekness toward others. 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. "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children."1 Thessalonians 2:7 What is the opposite of gentleness? It is displayed by Good Behavior and one of the fruits of the spirit, in the hidden person of the heart. However, there are many situations for which it requires great strength of character and self-control to be gentle. 2. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.. We live in a broken world, and it can be easy to become jaded and hardened by the pain we see around us. I think that fashion doesnt have to cost a fortune. Proud member Heres everything you need to know about this virtue and how you can use it in your life! Required fields are marked *. Finding healing in those wounds can often help us to respond with gentleness instead of harshness. 5:22). Advertisement What is the value of gentleness? Let's think of when Jesus portrayed kindness and gentleness. This is why this grace is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. Gentleness in our day of polarization and heated rhetoric might go a long way in helping people to see the beauty of Jesus. The supreme exemplar of gentleness is Israel's God. Meaghan is a homeschooling mom of 3 boys and a gentle Christian parenting coach. I have been helped in the area of gentleness, Youre welcome glad to hear its helpful! A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. Jesus was gentle in his interactions with people when he preached about love or healed someone who was sick (see Matthew 9). I get upset easily and raise my voice. According to that definition, one could say that gentleness isnt doing, it is being done to. The rules of life will be changed, bent in the direction of gentleness and peace, not just any . 11:28-30 ) It's no accident that these words have been greatly celebrated. Salem Media Group. 4. But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). Fighting destroys relationships and takes so much time to repair. The good news is that Gentleness can be learned. So now that we understand the call to gentleness and its many benefits, how do we put it into practice?Here are 10 ways you can show gentleness: Here are some bible verses on gentleness to encourage and build you up. The Bible is full of examples of gentleness. It was a failure, and he tore up a good deal of potential evidence. To me, its important to raise my children with gentleness and tenderness. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Pray for God to help you forgive those who have hurt you. It is the ability to be kind and loving even in the face of adversity. Gentleness evidences itself in a willingness to yield, reminiscent of a lamb being led to slaughter ( Jer 11:19 ; cf. Gentleness is the quality of being kind and considerate. Doesnt gentleness keep us from getting things done? His manner is not harsh or abrasive. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and it's not just a nice thing to be. Now, it's not to say that, if things are not peaceful, then war won't exist. This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! How is God gentle? Remembering the end of the story can be helpful as well. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. Take out time to visit our Website for more information on similar topics. . When we are gentle with others, we are showing them the love and compassion of Christ. opposite of gentleness in the biblehavelock wool australia. Photo credit: Getty Images/Oleksandr Yakoniuk. 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 disciple James also wrote that Christians should be gentle toward all men (James 1:27). Gentleness is a virtue that is described in the Bible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. People who are gentle usually have a lot of inner peace and self-control. . So much of the peace and harmony we seek is directly affected by how we treat others. To understand what gentleness looks like in practice, lets look at some examples from scripture: Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. The less common word, epieikes,is used in Pauls pastoral letters, as well as in James and 1 Peter. When you treat others gently you gain trust and respect. A common misconception is that gentleness is weakness or passivity. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. God is often described as being gentle. Paul showed kindness and gentleness toward those who persecuted him (see Acts 23). Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. The New Testament. However, Scripture reminds us that we are called to be gentle with others, even in the midst of difficult times. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is goodness? We are to exercise our spiritual strength in love. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will have the fruit of gentleness in our lives. The Bible says that Moses was a meek man; in fact, God's word in Numbers 12:3 says . The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is patience? He cares tenderly for the flock under his care, and "gently leads those that have young" ( Isa 40:11 ). By showing gentleness towards others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and set an example for others to follow. To really understand this word, think of a powerful animal that is brought under control. We should be kind and merciful to others even when they mistreat us or do wrong things to us (Luke 6:35; Romans 12:18-19; 1 Peter 3:8). The Bible has a lot to say about gentleness. There is a strong connection in the bible between gentleness and the power of words. 1915. He is slow to anger and forgiving of sinners. Gentleness is powerful because it is godly. 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. Let your gentleness be known of all men. By modeling Gods character in our own lives, we give our children the best possible foundation for a happy and successful future. We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. Gentleness is getting something done. Gentle words wield great power ( Prov 15:1 ; 25:15 ). He discloses himself not just in wind and earthquake and fire, but in "a gentle whisper" ( 1 Kings 19:11-13 ). Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "I'll believe it when I see it.". Gentleness is the quality of being kind, considerate, and mild. 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. Its a quality of character. There is also peace with God. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? And does it accomplish things? Doing so creates a closer connection and will save you from needless hardships in your relationships. He was a rough man by trade, but when it came to leading men to Christ, he employed great gentleness. If God were brutish, not a one of us could stand. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. And these are the people whom I admire the most. Christ himself was a model of gentleness, and he calls us to follow his example. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. This is similar language to what Paul used in 1 Corinthians 4:21, when he contrasts gentleness with coming to them with a rod.. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others. You could also have the children play the role . It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. In Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians the word is used in lists combined with things like humility as virtues and graces. But the opposite is true. It is important to remember that as Christians we are called to more than this. Note that the Catholic church includes a few additional fruits as part of tradition, listing 12: What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. Posted On mayo 20, 2021 Round table will begin shortly after services. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. And they bring the gospel of peace with gentleness and love, not harshness. Sharpness, coldness, or evil. 9. After everyone left, Jesus did not condemn the woman, and said to her, Go now and leave your life of sin (John 8:11). It stands in contrast to baseness ( Deuteronomy 28:54 Deuteronomy 28:56 ), harshness ( 2 Sam 18:5 ), and wildness ( Job 41:3 ). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. "He will feed his flock 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 ). Its a way of dealing with people, yourself, and God. Gentleness Defined Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. I know some people who have a lot of gentleness. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Gentleness, Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Gentleness. In the New Testament Jesus comes as the perfect example of being gentle and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29).
