Life in the Spirit
Walking in Gentleness
Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:16-26
Key Verse: Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Both men and women would want the next fruit of the Spirit if they truly understood its meaning.
If you searched the meaning of the Greek word for “gentleness,” you would find it frequently defined as “strength under control,” “meekness,” or “gentle strength” — referring to a power that is harnessed, such as a tamed, strong animal or soothing, effective medicine.
Can you see how even the most macho man would want this fruit of the Spirit? I like the phrase “strength under control” because it describes a mature Christ-follower who knows they can do all things with God’s power in them, yet also recognizes they must be under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Most of us know Matthew 26:53, where Jesus speaks of the angels at His disposal. But we also know Matthew 11:29, where Jesus says:
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
These two verses remind us that Jesus had “strength under control.” Think for a moment of a person who spent many years raising and taming a young lion. Picture how that person could be around that lion without fear — yet we all know that if something went wrong, it would be the lion that wins every time.
When we receive Jesus into our lives, the Bible tells us we have received the Holy Spirit — or as the Apostle Paul described it, the Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16:7; Philippians 1:19; Romans 8:9). This Spirit gives us great power, as Jesus described:
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” (Mark 11:23)
Yet even with all this power God gives us as believers, God’s Word also tells us:
…slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. (Titus 3:2)
It is only with God’s help that we can be gentle toward everyone. The good news is, believers have this fruit of the Spirit — all we have to do is activate it by asking God to help us!
Father, please remind me to be gentle to everyone. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.