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Galatians 5:22-23, 1Thessalonians 2:7, 2Timothy 2:24
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. *But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: *As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher.
Have you ever pondered the gentleness of the Holy Spirit? Because of His presence in you, you have the ability to be just as gentle. One of the characteristics of the wisdom that flows from above is that it is gentle, James 3:17. Gentleness is a major manifestation of God’s wisdom. In fact, it is the nature of God in us that causes us to behave moderately, kindly and rightly at all times, especially in the way we handle and relate with people. Gentleness renders us careful and able to avoid being unnecessarily harsh, irrational or extreme in the way we comport ourselves and in our dealings with others.
Gentleness renders us merciful, kind and gracious towards others, no matter their behaviour towards us. It is what makes us harmless as doves as Jesus instructed us to be in Matthew 10:16. Being gentle makes us attractive and easily accessible. It allows people to enjoy relating with us. It was Jesus’ gentleness that drew even little children to Him, Luke 18:15-16. It also drew many others, particularly those who were considered sinners, close to Him.
In our second text above, Apostle Paul painted a picture of gentleness for us by using the image of a caring nurse. This also reflects the fact that our posture of gentleness can have a healing and restorative effect upon the lives of others.
The way we see people will inevitably affect the way we treat them. If we are to treat people as gently as God desires, we must view them the way God does; i.e., in need of His grace and mercy, and as a result, interact with them with honour and dignity.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your nature of kindness and grace that You have empowered me to manifest unto others.
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