What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? 1915. Is It True That Gentleness Gets Nothing Done. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. It is important to remember that as Christians we are called to more than this. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; Galatians 5:22-23. In many languages, gentleness and meekness are equated with gentle speech. It's a beauty that you don't have to go through all kinds of cosmetic surgery or makeup routines to preserve. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. Copyrights 2021 Gentle Christian Parenting. This means more "that which is fitting, right, and equitable." We can ask Him to reveal ways we can show gentleness to others so that we may reflect His character. For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement. Jesus was gentle, even when He was being crucified. Gentleness is the quality or characteristic of being kind, tender, mild-mannered, compassionate, and considerate. It does not mean weakness, per se. We who have the mind of Christ ought to also have at our core a gentleness of spirit. Consider how you talk to yourself. For some, gentleness can be a tough . Click here to show subject links in the text for more information. Gentleness on the other hand, deals with the way that one regards others. Again, the goal is always the unity of the Spirit; that is the demonstrated testimony of transforming gospel power. We grow in gentleness by surrounding ourselves with gentle people. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be seen in our lives. This is shown in our thoughts and in the way we interact with those around us. If the previous search had been crushing a walnut with a sledgehammer, the current team is crushing a walnut with precision lasers and analyzing content all the way through the process. Some of these people include Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. It is described as a quiet spirit, will not harm a bruised reed the shield of your salvation. 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. 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. We also model for them the importance of exhibiting self-control and respect. There are many benefits to being gentle. 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. It is the opposite of harshness and roughness. This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness comes from a state of humility. Other faithful followers found this to be true (Job 29:22, 2 Timothy 2:25). It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and . He was talking about people who have mastered themselves their appetites, their passions, and their pride so that they can act with wisdom and self-control instead of being controlled by their emotions. Gentleness. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Listen to this story in the Bible about a not-very-gentle king: Tell story from 1 Kings 12:1-15. That is having peace with others. The power of gentleness should never be underestimated, especially when it comes to raising children. As you seek to grow more gentle, focusing on or memorizing these verses will strengthen you and help you be more successful. To understand what gentleness looks like in practice, lets look at some examples from scripture: Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matt. The opposite of gentleness is: Rudeness, manipulation, or disrespect. These verses can be applied to any relationship or interaction with have with others. In the Greek written long before the NT came about, the noun meant "gentleness, mild friendliness" (DNTT). considerateness.5 The Interpreter's Bible says it is the opposite of hubris, the Greek word for haughty, boastful inso-lence.6 To try to understand gentleness further, let us go through the passages in the Bible where the Greek word prautes is used. 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. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. About 5 years ago, Robert Ringer wrote the book Looking Out For Number One. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take a moment to ask God for his gentleness, and then extend that same grace to those around you. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. That whole book was completely opposite of what we're going to talk about this morning, which is having a gentleness about our 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). Its helpful to think about the areas where we are tempted to respond with harshness instead of gentleness. When we are gentle with our children, we send the message that they are safe and loved. We have swallowed the worlds view of power and control. opposite of gentleness in the bible. Focus on the positive qualities of the person who hurt you instead of their negative actions. It Yields good fruits in the gentleness of christ by a gentle spirit and a gentle answer. Study to show thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15). The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is love? If children cannot obey their parents who they can see physically, how will they obey God who they cannot see. of Its the opposite of harshness, and it means that we dont try to force our beliefs or ideas on others. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus is explaining why we should embrace His way of life. We're also more likely to receive blessings from God. Evil has a beginning and its end will be everlasting. The Bridge Bible Fellowship. Here is a sample of their uses. . Jesus teaches us, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). It requires humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, kind behavior towards others. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. He comes to them not "with a whip [but] in love and with a gentle spirit" ( 1 Cor 4:21 ). Gentleness is feeling this way about other human beings. Welcome to our Family. There are many who feel that this is one of the most important aspects of his life and teachings. When someone considers someone to have the quality of epiekes, they would say that this is a pleasurable person to be around. Job's counsels were well received, because he spoke them gently ( Job 29:22 ). In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the LXX, the word prautes appears 12 times, and 11 times in the New Testament. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "I'll believe it when I see it.". Jesus' words mirror those spoken by David: Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. We study the arrival of guilt, an argument about guilt, and the answer to guilt. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and it's not just a nice thing to be. In accord with the prophecy, he enters Jerusalem in gentleness and lowliness ( Matt 21:5 ). There is one main Greek word translated gentlenessprauetes. We are to be calm and respectful when speaking with others. When we think about gentleness, we often think about it as a weakness. Thank you for this devotion that I will pin, and print and place in my Gentleness devotional. According to that definition, one could say that gentleness isnt doing, it is being done to. But the more I study, the more I find that gentleness is one of the chief Christian virtues. Be considerate of others feelings and needs. Required fields are marked *. That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. In doing so, we reflect the character of our Heavenly Father and demonstrate his love to the world. 5 Steps to Achieving the Fruit of Gentleness (or Meekness) that Leads to Blessedness. Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). Some view being gentle as weak. I get upset easily and raise my voice. 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. Part I: Meekness and Humility Toward God In the Bible, meekness is primarily emphasized as submissiveness toward God (rather than toward men). The bible verses are quoted below in the NIV version, but if you click the links, you can see the verse in other translations. It's about how we treat others, even when they don't treat us well. Galatians 5:23 says, against such there is no law.. Actually, gentleness requires quite a bit of strength and self-control. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? There is peace in our homes when nobody is arguing or fighting. 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. Your email address will not be published. When we humble ourselves and trust in Gods strength, we can show gentleness even to those who are difficult to love. Now, it's not to say that, if things are not peaceful, then war won't exist. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! People who are gentle tend to be happier and more content with life. So, what does gentleness mean? For more help incorporating gentleness into your parenting, consider working with Meaghan.Learn More About Meaghan here.Enjoy this post? I have been helped in the area of gentleness, Youre welcome glad to hear its helpful! How different things would have been if Paul had not shown such gentleness! II Corinthians 10:1 refers to Christ's meekness ( prautes) and gentleness ( epieikeia) as separate virtues. In sum, the Scriptures show God as a kind and gentle leader. He is gentle with you. In our increasingly polarized society, Christians are also succumbing to the idea that what we really need is brute strength to get things done. What comes to your mind when you think of gentleness? As any parent knows, raising children can be a rewarding but challenging task. Not only does it mean being kind to people who are kind to you, but also it means being kind even when someone isnt nice back! Jesus has been relentlessly showing me that my character IN HIM is gentleness & self-control. unkindness. 5. The apostle Paul stated that "a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be . This sandbox wisdom happens to be in agreement with the Bible. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. However, Scripture reminds us that we are called to be gentle with others, even in the midst of difficult times. GENTLENESS. Matthew 18:21-35. We're more likely to listen and understand others when we're gentle. People have been searching for this treasure for hundred of years. Violence, aggression, abuse, or brutality. Gentleness helps us experience Jesus. The word gentleness in this context comes from the Greek word (prautes), which conveys the concepts of mildness, meekness or softness. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. We need to allow God to work in us so that we can be more like Jesus every day. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. 11:29 NIV). He cares tenderly for the flock under his care, and "gently leads those that have young" ( Isa 40:11 ). He was said to have been cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer. Remembering the end of the story can be helpful as well. I'm too self-centered to stop and kiss my child's scraped knee. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). God wants children to learn obedience to Him through their parents. And as we engage others we should avoid quarreling with them but should instead have perfect courtesy toward all people. As a parent, I see gentleness as one of the most important character qualities we need to focus on in our family. If God were brutish, not a one of us could stand. 4. Gentleness is the quality of being kind and considerate. 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. ( Matt. It's the opposite of anger and harshness. In 2 Macc 15:12 Onias is said (the King James Version) to be "gentle (praos) in condition," the Revised Version (British and American) "in manner.". It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. Matthew 6:14-15 says, For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Empathy is acknowledging another persons point of view to understand their feelings. Jesus was also known for his gentleness. 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." There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. 5:22). Gentleness extends grace (undeserved favor), love, and kindness to even the most difficult-to-like people. Our natural response is anger and retaliation. In the Scriptures gentleness is at times translated as meekness. In this blog post, we will explore a few examples of gentleness from the Bible. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Salem Media Group. Cruelty and unkindness. Gentleness is an important virtue because it makes the world a better place. He will still be gentle and lowly in heart. A gentle heart comes from having love for others. All Rights Reserved. Gentleness is a virtue that is described in the Bible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. 7. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem entitled "The Village Blacksmith" gives us a wonderful demonstration of genuine gentleness. He supposed that the prisoners had escaped. It stands in contrast to baseness ( Deuteronomy 28:54 Deuteronomy 28:56 ), harshness ( 2 Sam 18:5 ), and wildness ( Job 41:3 ). Watch your tone so that what you have to say will be well received. 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). We are to stand out from the crowd by being different. Paul was a great example of this. We need to be intentional about showing our spouse gentleness. The opposite is "unbridled anger, harshness, brutality, and self-expression." ("Self-expression" is the picture of someone who struts and shows off.) Always be humble andgentle. It can only tell us what we should not do and why its wrong. Click here to read more verses about gentleness. As parents and caregivers, let us always remember the power of gentleness in shaping the hearts and minds of our children. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. (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"). Gentleness may be one of the greatest needs in our day. Its the opposite of anger and harshness. 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. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. Gentleness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com) In the OT its often translated humbleas in Psalm 24:9, 33:3, 75:10, 146:6, and 149:4. Ephesians 4:1-2. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. Its the opposite of anger and harshness. 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 I hope you enjoy and come back often. When people are kind and caring, they are more likely to get along with others and resolve conflicts peacefully. 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. The New Testament is full of examples of Jesus gentleness. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is goodness? Teddy Roosevelt said he thought it wise to speak softly and carry a big stick. Gentleness for many is synonymous with being quiet spoken, a pushover, and weak. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Colossians 3:20 (esv). True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. Its a way of life. The opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandizement. However, God calls us to a higher standard. In the New Testament it is the translation of epios, "mild," "gentle" (1Thessalonians 2:7; 2Timothy 2:24), and of epieikes, "fitting" "proper," etc. It's a beauty that cannot fade away. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? They are not easily angered, and they are quick to forgive. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. 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. His creation will end in a new beginning. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word describes someone who has power but chooses not to use it harshly or selfishly. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a298435548fac6131ddbee45a6669aa4" );document.getElementById("e218d56cc5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Gentleness remembers that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and we are all trying to find our way through this ungentle world. But what is gentleness? 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.. Typically, those are areas where we are acting in the flesh instead of in the Spirit. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. of And does it accomplish things? Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". You and those around you reap many benefits by prioritizing gentleness. When we celebrate leaders who get things done but do so in a way entirely contrary to Christ, we are tainting our hearts. Unfortunately, sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we can become more focused on getting things done than on being kind to the ones we love. 5:22). Yield, surrender, and submit your will to the will of God. 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. Gentleness is something Christians must learn. But gentleness is also opposed to lazy apathy and insensitivity. Beauty and Ugliness Beauty and ugliness are . A common misconception is that gentleness is weakness or passivity. The Bible is full of examples of Gods character, and one of the most prominent traits is His gentleness. A soft Answer shows us Gods Gentleness and points us toward the tree of life. But for me, it was quite revelatory. Let your gentleness be known of all men. Its a way of dealing with people, yourself, and God. And it is to those who are gentle and meek who will inherit the earththe gentle are the ones who receive Gods rescue. Paul appeals to believers "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" ( 2 Cor 10:1 ). Gentle Christian Parenting is a participant in affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other sites at no extra cost to you. 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). Its not a weakness, but a strength. 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. You can find various definitions of gentleness online: A mildness of manners or disposition Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. When we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. Truth be told, it takes a strong person to be truly gentle. These individuals were known for their kindness, care, and compassion for others. In order to be gentle, we must not view ourselves as better than someone else. You will be blessed and rewarded by God when you get to heaven and receive His peace and favor here on earth too. The opposite of gentleness is anger, a desire for revenge, and self-importance. When correcting opponents, it should be done with gentleness. In doing so we will win over those who hear us. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). Listen more than you speak or act (James 1:19). There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. I am too busy to listen to my childs story. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. We will not be easily offended and will control our tempers. unkindness. 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. . The Bible tells us that God is gentle and loving and that we should imitate His character in our own lives. 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). We grow in gentleness much in the way that we grow in every fruitwe abide in Jesus. Its the opposite of harshness, and it means that we dont try to force our beliefs or ideas on others. In fact, the Bible tells us that we are to follow Gods example of gentleness (Ephesians 5:1). Its a way of dealing with people, yourself, and God. A passage from the Bible is even more powerful if we read what comes before it: at the end of chapter ten, the prophet Isaiah says that God is going to cut down all the trees, and that's why there's "a stump" when this passage begins. What does it look like to be gentle? The disciple James also wrote that Christians should be gentle toward all men (James 1:27). God is often described as being gentle. All rights reserved. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. There have always been arguments on whether it is an attribute to desire or avoid. We need His help to be gentle! Honestly, a change in our worldview/theology would do a great deal of work here as well. It is a trait that is godly, and as His children God expects us to become gentle, as He is. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Gentleness comes from a state of humility. The apostle Paul wrote, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. An example of gentleness can be seen in John 8, when the Pharisees bring a woman who was caught in adultery to Jesus. Gentleness evidences itself in a willingness to yield, reminiscent of a lamb being led to slaughter ( Jer 11:19 ; cf. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. Its hard to extend grace when someone has offended us. Antonyms: drunkenness, excess, gluttony, greed, intemperance, intoxication, reveling, revelry, self-indulgence, sensuality, wantonness Synonyms: abstemiousness, abstinence, continence, fasting, frugality, moderation, self-denial, self-restraint, sobriety, temperance Preposition: The negative side of virtue is abstinence from vice. Beginning and End God has neither beginning nor end. It is amazing how ONE small act of kindness shown to our spouses can change the atmosphere of an entire day. What is gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit? I am too busy to listen to my child's story. Speak respectfully to everyone. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, " exhorts Paul ( Eph 4:2 ). In this verse, Paul makes it clear that gentleness is not something from the Law or from human effort or will power; rather, it comes from Gods grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
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