FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
“But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
The fifth attribute of this nine-fold fruit:
5. Gentleness (Kindness)
What is Gentleness?
Gentleness is described as merciful, sweet, tender, considerate; a spirit of fairness and compassion.
Gentleness refers to a kindness in dealing with others and having a sensitive regard for them.
In other words, how we treat them.
Gentleness involves us lower ourselves
to help someone else. Being sensitive to the concerns and feelings of others. Gentleness
will show respect for someone else’s personal dignity. It will desire to change our attitudes and
behaviors toward others by not using manipulation, intimidation, threats and domination to accomplish our will.
We will no longer say whatever comes to mind without first considering someone else’s feelings. We
will not use the excuse that that’s just how I am! Instead we will be sensitive to the power of our
words and actions on how it may affect others. And when we do wound others, we will immediately exhibit our gentle
spirit through repentance, consolation and restoration.
“What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?”
(1 Corinthians 4:21)
Unfortunately, so many of us Christians (especially
men) do not see gentleness as a virtue to cultivate. We believe having a gentle spirit is
not a sign of strength (“manliness” vs. “softness”). But who was the ultimate example
of strength or “manliness”? None other than Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus
definitely was not “soft”. Jesus has all power and authority is His hand and yet He can be
as gentle as a shepherd caring for His sheep.
“See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him.
See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
(Isaiah 40:10-11)
So, another way to think of gentleness is: strength
under control. God’s control! We will not feel threatened by opposition or resent
those who oppose us, if we’re displaying gentleness. We will not degrade, belittle or gossip
about anyone, especially someone who has fallen into sin, if we’re displaying gentleness.
“Brothers, if someone is caught in
a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”
(Galatians 6:1)
Being gentle involves us not concerning ourselves with our reputation
as much as God’s or someone else’s. We must realize how gentle God has been with us
when we were broken and in a million pieces. God could have condemned us, punished us and forsaken us a
million times. But every single time, He gently picks us up and puts us back together again.
He restores us back to our rightful place in Him. And this is the example we are to follow in regards
to others. God is desiring to use us as instruments of restoration of the broken-hearted and the lost.
Gentleness, is this something you are praying for? Do we even value the virtue of gentleness
as highly as God?
Yes, displaying gentleness
is not easy because it is something that does not come naturally for us. It involves being Selfless, which
goes against our Selfish nature. It involves becoming humble, submissive and dependent on the Holy Spirit
of God to enable us. Once again we are not equipped to exhibit gentleness on our own.
If we say we are followers of Christ, then we must allow the Spirit of God to work in us and through us.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3:12-15, how we can exhibit this and other Godly virtues.
“Therefore, as God's chosen people,
holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as
the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And
be thankful.”
When
we know and understand who we are and Who’s we are, we can exhibit gentleness in every situation that arises.
By being aware of the power and position we receive from the Holy Ghost, we can be gentle to everyone we come in contact.
So, yes we should be praying to exhibit
this virtue. Yes, we must become more Selfless than Selfish. Yes, we can no longer get
away with speaking before we think. Or doing things without first considering others and how they may feel.
And yes, the world DOES NOT belong to you (or to
me either). IT BELONGS TO GOD!
“The earth is the LORD's, and
the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm
24:1)
Why not
practice the virtue of Gentleness today? It’s amazing how much stronger you’ll feel!!!
STRENGTH
UNDER CONTROL!!!
The next virtue is Goodness.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
“But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
The fourth attribute of
this nine-fold fruit is:
4. Longsuffering (Patience)
What is Longsuffering? In the Old Testament, it refers
to God’s patient endurance of wickedness of the sinful. “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and
by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.”
(Numbers 14:18) This word indicates patience or slow to anger.
Therefore, they can be used interchangeably.
God is longsuffering toward man because He desires to lead everyone to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9) Since He is a God of righteousness, He will not be longsuffering forever.
Eventually, everyone who has not trusted the sacrifice His Son Jesus made, will be punished. (2
Thessalonians 1:5-10)
Since
God is longsuffering toward His people, we in turn are to follow His example and be longsuffering (patient).
We must learn to keep our anger in check, endure hardships (without complaining) and wait for God to avenge us.
(Romans 12:19) This part of the fruit is related to our devotion to God. Only
as we fear (reverence) God will we be able to submit to the trials and tribulations He sends or allows. Remember
trials and tribulations always changes our relationship with God. Either they will drive us closer to Him
or drive us far away. The degree of our fear of Him and our knowledge of His love for us determines the
direction we will move.
True longsuffering (patience) involves waiting, waiting on the promises of God. To
be able to wait is to have faith and trust in God based off of who He is, what He has done and what He will do.
Being a longsuffering (patient) Christian is knowing how to wait with hopeful confidence in God.
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
(Hebrews 6:10-12)
Maybe to understand longsuffering (patience),
we should discuss it’s antonym, “impatience”. Self-centeredness is at the heart of impatience.
Think of small children. They want what they want, when they want it and don’t care who it
hurts to get it. They are immature! Unfortunately, a lot of so-called “mature”
adults act in the same manner. We do not want to wait for anything. We live in a self-gratification,
me-first society where we feel we’re entitled. Being impatient, gives up on what can be lasting blessings
for meaningless and fleeting moments of temporary pleasures. A great example: Love vs.
Lust Love is enduring and satisfying; Lust is momentary and burns up quickly.
We can be so impatient about such insignificant things:
Ÿ When we have to wait in line at the grocery store.
Ÿ When someone is driving too slow.
Ÿ Waiting
at the doctor’s office.
Ÿ
When someone puts you on hold on the phone.
Ÿ Someone didn’t respond to your email immediately.
Are these really things we need to be impatient about? Do
you really accomplish anything you wanted by being impatient? And who told you that you are more important
than everyone else?
We
are even impatient with God. When God doesn’t answer our prayers when we believe He should, we will
take care of it ourselves. Remember there are always consequences for disobedience. And
being impatient is an act of disobedience, a lack of faith in God.
A List of Consequences for Being Impatient:
Ÿ
Disappointment
Ÿ Physical pain and suffering
Ÿ Troubled
relationships
Ÿ
Lack of character
Ÿ Broken dreams
Ÿ
Weak testimony
Ÿ Missed blessings
Ÿ
Separation from God
Ÿ Death (physically and/or spiritually)
So, how can we become more like Christ and exhibit longsuffering (patience)?
Realize that you cannot accomplish this on your own. It is only through the yielding and submitting
to the Holy Spirit that we can be patient. We must learn to never give up or give in.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast,
unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
(1 Corinthians 15:58)
A great example of longsuffering is the story of Joseph in the book of
Genesis (Chps. 37-50). Here was a longsuffering (patient) man. He was
despised by his brothers who sold him into slavery. He was falsely accused of a crime and spent time in
prison. He was separated from his family and culture. But Joseph never complained, gave
up or gave in. His faith and hope in God and His promises remained steadfast and unmovable.
He continued to praise and worship God in spite of his circumstances. He patiently waited
for God to deliver him. And because of his patient endurance and perseverance not only was his family
saved but a whole nation was saved from starvation.
So if we patiently endure our hardships, if we are patient with people we come in contact with, God will be glorified
in us and through us and we will receive His blessings.
FAITH + OBEDIENCE = BLESSINGS
The next attribute is Gentleness.
