Focus on the Family describes gentleness is a strong hand with a soft touch. It is a tender, compassionate approach toward others' weaknesses and limitations. A gentle person still speaks truth, sometimes even painful truth, but in doing so guards his tone so the truth can be well received. In my family we would even add "and guards his or her facial expressions!". When Paul wrote to the church of Galatia, he knew that they were having problems with conflict, frustration, division. His instruction on gentleness was built on the foundation of what he knew gentleness could do.
- Gentleness turns away wrath and anger: A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger Proverbs 15:1
- Gentleness brings about life: Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
- Gentleness can restore: Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. Galatians 6:1
- Gentleness demonstrates our commitment to God not to cause dissention and division but peace and unity of the body of Christ so as to have a bigger impact on Kingdom building.
Gal 6:10, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good (demonstration of the fruits) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Bearing fruit is going to happen no matter what. The question is what will your fruit of gentleness look like? Will it be beautiful, full, abundant? Or will it be shriveled up, rotten, empty?
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