THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - GENTLENESS

An

d a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (2 Timothy 2:24 NKJV)

 It's not easy to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit because it has many counterfeits. Some people are naturally easy-going, devoid of energy and ambition, at heart cowardly, or in spirit mean. Many of us are characterized by a moral weakness and a tendency that makes it easy for us to yield rather than compete in the physical or intellectual arena.

But in gentleness there must be the consciousness of a considerable reserve of force. The gentleness of God is combined with omnipotence. The movements of creation, in which there is neither voice nor language, prove the infinite forces which are at work. When a boy is trying to lift or carry a heavy load, as likely as not there will be a great crash when he reaches the end of his task, and drops it on the ground. His strength is so completely exhausted that he is only too glad to get rid of his burden, anyway, and at any cost. But if a strong man shoulders the same burden, and carries it for the same distance, he puts it down gently, because he has not taxed his strength and has plenty left.

It is the prerogative of great strength to be gentle. Always remember that you are linked with the Infinite God, and that all things are possible to you. There must also be infinite pity. We must be tolerant and pitiful to those who abuse us, or have been embittered by disappointment, or have been terribly mistreated. It must be our aim to make allowances for such, and always to be sweetly reasonable towards any unfriendliness, rudeness and bad manners of their behavior. Let's be willing to admit that much is due to habitual resentment. Therefore, we bear gently with the erring, and with those who are out of the way, because we also are encompassed with infirmity.

It's necessary also that there should be a deep humility. Thomas Kempis says: "If thou wilt be borne with, bear also with another. Endeavour to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, what sort soever they be: for that thyself also hast many failings which must be borne by others." Our resentment against others should be always tempered by our remembrance of our own sins. So shall we be God's own gentle people.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, our behavior has not manifested all the fruits of the Spirit, or been full of the graciousness and gentleness of Christ. Forgive us, and enable us so to live that His beauty may be on our faces, the tone of His voice in our speech, the gentleness of His walk in our steps, the unselfishness of His deeds in our hands. I pray this in his name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #314:
I have given you the Spirit of adoption so you can call Me Father.

Romans 8:15 (WEB)
For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”