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(1Timothy 3:3 the Revised Version (British and American); Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1Peter 2:18); also, with article, Philippians 4:5 (the King James Version "moderation," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"). What comes to your mind when you think of gentleness? Gentleness is something Christians must learn. Wives should seek "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" ( 1 Peter 3:4 ). Proud member These great examples of gentleness help us to see practically what that looks like in everyday life. When we humble ourselves and trust in Gods strength, we can show gentleness even to those who are difficult to love. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5 . Some argue that a gentleness is just as strong if not stronger as brute force. Your email address will not be published. But what does it mean to be gentle? We can ask Him to reveal ways we can show gentleness to others so that we may reflect His character. Paul showed kindness and gentleness toward those who persecuted him (see Acts 23). The Spirit-Filled Life: Discovering the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit by Charles Stanley. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. The current search on Oak Island is slow and methodical. I justified it as being 64 and still having children at home (Intellectually challenged). Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. . Another pair of opposites in the Bible is innocence and guilt. "He will feed his flock like a shepherd. Its a quality that we should all strive to embody, especially in our relationships with others. They are believed to have been as close as anyone possible. And that is exactly what this world needs to see in us instead of harsh words, gentle words showing us as gentle people. The Old Testament. When we see it this way, we can begin to work toward becoming gentler. I am too busy to listen to my childs story. Gentleness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com) It is necessary, then, that we wield this authority with gentleness. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. It is amazing how ONE small act of kindness shown to our spouses can change the atmosphere of an entire day. Its not a weakness, but a strength. It's a way of life. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus takes upon himself this descriptor: I am gentle and lowly in heart., And when Jesus tells us what animates him most deeply, what is most true of himwhen he exposes the innermost recesses of his beingwhat we find there is: gentle and lowly. (Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 19). By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. When we follow Gods example of gentleness, we are displaying the character of Christ to a lost and dying world. This means that when we see someone in need, we can no longer ignore them or pass them off as someone elses problem. It is shown in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Gentleness is the quality of being kind and considerate. Gentleness comes from a state of humility. The person who is "cool with everything," who is never disagreeable, who always compliments and never criticizes, is not necessarily gentle. I'm Christina, a mom of three who is passionate about helping Christian parents and caregivers tend to their children with the full character of Jesus, including his gentleness. Its a quality of character. So glad to hear it was encouraging to you it is extra challenging to be gentle when we feel like our needs are being intruded on. Jesus was also known for his gentleness. Gentleness is not a natural human trait it requires humility and self-control, two things that only come from God. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). Some view being gentle as weak. But more specifically we grow in gentleness by practicing it. A. We live in a broken world, and it can be easy to become jaded and hardened by the pain we see around us. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. 5:22). Its a way of life. Always be humble andgentle. The apostle Paul wrote, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). Gentleness may be one of the greatest needs in our day. He went peacefully to His death because He knew it was the only way to save us from our sins. There is peace in our homes when nobody is arguing or fighting. In the New Testament epieikeia ("fairness," "moderation," in Acts 24:4 translated "clemency") is in 2Corinthians 10:1 translated "gentleness," "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Macc 2:22 "favour," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"); chrestotes, "kindness," "usefulness," is translated "gentleness" in Galatians 5:22 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "kindness"; chrestos is the word translated "kind" (to the unthankful and evil, Luke 6:35), and chrestotes seems to carry in it a similar idea of active kindness. Philippians 2:3). It is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit by good work and a gentle tongue. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Consider Revelation 21 as a passage to meditate upon. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. When correcting opponents, it should be done with gentleness. This sandbox wisdom happens to be in agreement with the Bible. unkindness. To me, its important to raise my children with gentleness and tenderness. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem entitled "The Village Blacksmith" gives us a wonderful demonstration of genuine gentleness. In most of these instances it is used to indicate the one who will be taught by the LORD, is lifted up by the LORD, who will be adorned with salvation and saved. The word was also used to describe the meekness of Moses in Numbers 12:3, and in Psalm 36:11 it is the meek who will inherit the earth. 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. (Psalm 37:37) People of the world resolve conflict mostly by political power, forced conformity, or even brute force. 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. Bibliography. As directed toward God, meekness and humility require the following: I. 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. brutality. Although gentleness in the Bible is also translated as "meekness". We grow in gentleness by surrounding ourselves with gentle people. Furthermore, when we are gentle with our children, we help them to develop into well-rounded individuals who are able to navigate the challenges of life with grace and strength. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Online Christian Articles and Information Hub. Galatians 5:22-25. Actually, gentleness requires quite a bit of strength and self-control. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. hardness. A few years ago, Robert Ringer wrote two best-selling books that even encouraged people to be aggressive in the dog-eat-dog business 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. Therefore, as followers of Jesus we are called to exhibit this character trait in our own lives. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Christlikeness begins with a willingness to forgive and move forward. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? But the opposite is true. When we're gentle with ourselves and with others, we represent and experience Him. In fact, it mentions it in several places. Reach out to the person who hurt you and try to reconcile. 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. In Galatians it is a mark of being led by the Spirit and it is shown as an example of walking in step with the Spirit in Galatians 6:1. opposite of gentleness in the bible. We are to exercise our spiritual strength in love. The one who is truly wise and who has received the implanted word will be marked by gentleness. It can be described with one word from the Book of Books. Gentleness is typically used as an opposite of harshness. We have swallowed the worlds view of power and control. Gentleness doesn't come naturally. Proud member This is why someone like Coco Chanel could say that gentleness doesnt get things done. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is goodness? It looks like Jesus: kind and compassionate to those who are struggling, yet firm and clear-eyed when addressing sin; slow to anger and quick to forgive; always calm and collected even in the midst of chaos; patient with His disciples when they were constantly asking questions and getting things wrong; gentle with sinners but uncompromising on truth. In Matthew 11:29, Christ said, " 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" (emphasis added throughout). 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. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 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 The Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek NT defines it this way: Prautes denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge controlled strength, the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment; the ability to provide a soothing influence on someone who is in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life the word indicates an obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gentle attitude and kind acts toward others, and this often in the face of opposition.. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. The apostle Paul stated that "a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be . Practice patience and kindness in your everyday interactions with others. Would you rather be around someone who is marked by a gentle spirit or one who is harsh, brutish, critical, and aggressive? There have always been arguments on whether it is an attribute to desire or avoid. You can prevent inciting anger by choosing to respond with gentleness. And he is calling upon us to exude that same characteristic in our interaction with others. and pushy. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. God is gentle with us, and we are called to be gentle with others. Gentleness is a marker of power used and handled properly. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. To be gentle means showing love and care for others in how you act and speak. So, you might be surprised to know the Bible has much to say about gentleness. Is it? The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. Harshness, meanness, or malice. Gentle people are kind, caring, and considerate of others. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1). Following Jesus' example, Paul treats his people gently, "like a mother caring for her little children" ( 1 Thess 2:7 ). Note that the Catholic church includes a few additional fruits as part of tradition, listing 12: In the OT its often translated humbleas in Psalm 24:9, 33:3, 75:10, 146:6, and 149:4. People have been searching for this treasure for hundred of years. The rules of life will be changed, bent in the direction of gentleness and peace, not just any . As our Lord and Master, He is not harsh, overbearing, and oppressive, but gentle in His government. In sharing the good news of the gospel we are to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). Part I: Meekness and Humility Toward God In the Bible, meekness is primarily emphasized as submissiveness toward God (rather than toward men). By showing gentleness to our spouses, we are not only making them feel loved and appreciated, but we are also setting a tone of respect and consideration that will spill over into other areas of our lives. Gentleness is when the stronger restrain their strength for the sake of the weaker. He emphasizes the gentle aspect of meekness toward others. We see in Jesus a deeper definition of gentleness. All rights reserved. Bible Verses About Protecting The Environment, Bible Verses About Protecting The Innocent, Bible Verses About Protecting The Vulnerable, Bible Verses About Pretending To Be Someone Else, Bible Verses About Proclaiming The Word Of God, Bible Verses About Praying For Lost Souls, Bible Verses About Premarital Relationships, Bible Verses About Practicing What You Preach, Bible Verses About Praising God In Hard Times, Bible Verses About Praising God With Music, Bible Verses About Poverty And Homelessness, Bible Verses About Power In The Name Of Jesus, Bible Verses About Practice Makes Perfect, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days KJV, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days, Bible Verses About Physical Pain And Healing. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is love? For some, gentleness can be a tough . The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. Remembering the end of the story can be helpful as well. What does it look like to be gentle? II Corinthians 10:1 refers to Christ's meekness ( prautes) and gentleness ( epieikeia) as separate virtues. 1. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love (Ephesians 4:2). Gentleness is a requisite for a servant of God, particularly one in a responsible position of oversight. Galatians 5:23 says, against such there is no law.. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Gentleness, Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Gentleness. 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. He comes to them not "with a whip [but] in love and with a gentle spirit" ( 1 Cor 4:21 ). If God were brutish, not a one of us could stand. We're also more likely to receive blessings from God. So much of the peace and harmony we seek is directly affected by how we treat others. unkindness. When someone considers someone to have the quality of epiekes, they would say that this is a pleasurable person to be around. He discloses himself not just in wind and earthquake and fire, but in "a gentle whisper" ( 1 Kings 19:11-13 ). Gentleness in marriage As wives, we don't have the physical strength our husbands do, usually. Evil has a beginning and its end will be everlasting. Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on examples of gentleness in the bible, goodness definition bible, bible characters who showed gentleness, and so much more. I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. Beauty and Ugliness Beauty and ugliness are . Posted On mayo 20, 2021 Round table will begin shortly after services. When we develop lazy attitudes in some areas, that laziness tends to spread to other areas as well. Here are the nine fruits of the spirit as listed in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Extend grace when someone offends you, even if they dont deserve it. Each aspect of this fruit is characteristic of Christ Jesus. The power of gentleness should never be underestimated, especially when it comes to raising children. He is gentle with you. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. Gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world. The apostle Paul wrote that gentleness was one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Pray for God to help you forgive those who have hurt you. Below are a few examples of how to practice this virtue in your life. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matt. Why Gentleness Is So Important As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. In short, gentleness is an essential ingredient in good parenting. 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. We need to be intentional about showing our spouse gentleness. I am not affectionate, and I fail to give loving hugs. We're more likely to listen and understand others when we're gentle. After all, he was a man who was without sin and yet he showed great compassion and mercy towards others, even those who were sinners. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. When we are gentle with our children, we model for them the way God treats uswith patience, understanding, and love. Welcome to our Family. I am not affectionate, and I fail to give loving hugs. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. 11:28-30 ) It's no accident that these words have been greatly celebrated. It stands in contrast to baseness ( Deuteronomy 28:54 Deuteronomy 28:56 ), harshness ( 2 Sam 18:5 ), and wildness ( Job 41:3 ). When we think about gentleness, we often think about it as a weakness. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. You could also have the children play the role . I hope you enjoy and come back often. Crucify ego, self-will, and pride. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The fruit of the Spirit is essentially the character of Jesus. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. We need His help to be gentle! and with a gentleness or meekness in his life. Gentleness can also lead to less stress and anxiety in life. What is the definition of gentleness? It requires humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, kind behavior towards others. In order to be gentle, we must not view ourselves as better than someone else. Do you ever find yourself thinking this way? He was a rough man by trade, but when it came to leading men to Christ, he employed great gentleness. Gentleness is an important virtue because it makes the world a better place. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "I'll believe it when I see it.". Prautes describes a condition of mind and heartan internal attitudewhereas gentleness (mildness combined with tenderness) refers to actionsan external behavior. W. Barclay, New Testament Words, pp. When we think of the life of Jesus, we often think of his miracles and his teachings. It is the opposite of pride, haughtiness, and self-exaltation. Listen to this story in the Bible about a not-very-gentle king: Tell story from 1 Kings 12:1-15. How different things would have been if Paul had not shown such gentleness! Gentle Like a Shepherd. jen'-t'-l-nes (`anah; epieikeia, chrestotes): In 2Samuel 22:36 `anah, "to bend low," "to condescend," is translated "gentleness," "Thy gentleness hath made me great," the Revised Version, margin "or condescension"; so also Psalms 18:35, where the word is `anwah "humility," "gentleness," or "condescension." Here is a sample of their uses. The less common word, epieikes,is used in Pauls pastoral letters, as well as in James and 1 Peter. Ask God to help you see others the way He sees them as precious children made in His image. Baseness or wildness. 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 ). attentiveness patience responsiveness tolerance willingness generosity personableness tenderness softness flexibility tenderheartedness niceness geniality understanding warmth amiability affability amiableness graciousness pleasantness kindliness benignity humaneness agreeability mercifulness manners kindheartedness thoughtfulness benevolence 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, and always to be gentle toward everyone (Titus 3:1-2). The gentleness of Jesus is a subject that has been much talked about over the years. Gentleness is one of the most important virtues in the Bible. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! In fact, it was his gentleness that allowed him to touch the hearts of so many people and change their lives forever. Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4). When Jesus needed to not be interupted, he went off to a place to pray- my sons understand when I am in my room with the door closed. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. To understand what gentleness looks like in practice, lets look at some examples from scripture: Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. As a parent, I see gentleness as one of the most important character qualities we need to focus on in our family. However, Scripture reminds us that we are called to be gentle with others, even in the midst of difficult times. True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. He cares tenderly for the flock under his care, and "gently leads those that have young" ( Isa 40:11 ). Ephesians 4:1-2. This means that when gentleness exists in your life, its because God has planted it there. Speak the truth but watch your tone so that the truth will be well received, however painful it may be. Jesus has been relentlessly showing me that my character IN HIM is gentleness & self-control. When we attempt to restore someone caught in sin, we are to do it in a spirit of gentleness. In 2 Timothy and in Titus, gentleness is to mark the Christian leader. For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement. Heres everything you need to know about this virtue and how you can use it in your life! The opposite of gentleness is anger, a desire for revenge, and self-importance. But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. Sharpness, coldness, or evil. 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. If you are looking for a more in-depth gentleness bible study, there are many bible study tools and bible dictionaries to help you. The Bible teaches us that we should be gentle in all our relationshipseven with our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-28). The Greek word describes someone who has power but chooses not to use it harshly or selfishly. The Bible is replete with commands for us to be gentle. Gentleness is a soft answer, even when the words might hurt the recipient (Galatians 6:1). And these are the people whom I admire the most. Throughout history, there have been many gentle people who have made a difference in the world. God is often described as being gentle. Its not a weakness, but a strength. Gentleness Defined Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. Gentleness is opposed to all forms of prideful anger: "quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility" ( 2 Corinthians 12:20 ). Fighting destroys relationships and takes so much time to repair. Click here to read more verses about gentleness. It can be difficult to remain gentle when we have been hurt, but it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that nobody is perfect. Proverbs indicates that gentle words turn away wrath and are a tree of life (Proverbs 15:1,4). It was a failure, and he tore up a good deal of potential evidence. In doing so we will win over those who hear us. I am too busy to listen to my child's story. I think that fashion doesnt have to cost a fortune. Cognate: 4240 prats (compare 4236 /prats, another feminine noun which is also derived from the root pra-, emphasizing the divine origin of the meekness) - meekness ("gentle strength") which expresses power with reserve and gentleness. However, there are many situations for which it requires great strength of character and self-control to be gentle. Meditate on Scripture verses about forgiveness and grace. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics. Gentle occurs in the Old Testament only in the Revised Version (British and American) of Jeremiah 11:19, "I was like a gentle lamb" (kebhes). In the Scriptures gentleness is at times translated as meekness. By showing gentleness towards others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and set an example for others to follow. When Adam and Eve started out in the Garden of Eden, they had peace with God. Instead, we gently express what we believe without being critical or judgmental. God himself spoke to Elijah as a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). 1915. 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. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. You can also check out these gentle parenting bible study discussion guides.This post was written by guest blogger Meaghan Jackson ofGentle Parenting Coaching. They are often areas where we carry deep wounds and trauma from our past. of the flesh" "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Gal. General Editor. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). So let us always be gentle! When we are full of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be seen in our lives. Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. Truth be told, it takes a strong person to be truly gentle. God always speaks and acts in a gentle way. But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance andgentleness (I Timothy 6:11). . But gentleness is also opposed to lazy apathy and insensitivity. It is used in the OT to show God as being a kind and benevolent ruler. Jesus was gentle, even when He was being crucified. Why is it important for Christians to be gentle? ( Matt. This is because gentleness doesn't come very naturally to me. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
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