Fruit of the Spirit Series: Gentleness- Part 8 of 9

            Gentleness is one of the keys to a great Christian life. Have you ever heard of the saying "You can be right and speak loud and still be wrong"? It is possible to confront someone with truth and still be in the wrong because of the way that truth is expressed. Look at 1 Peter 3:15-16:

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

         Here, we see that, as Christians, we are responsible for not only choosing to follow Christ within our own hearts, but are also responsible for explaining that internal hope to those around us. We are always to be prepared for a conversation about the Lord of our lives. However, the passage strongly warns that we are not to do this with disrespect, but with gentleness, so that our character won't be called into question. The Christians who use loudspeakers to confront the sinners of this world with ugly comments about their condition are doing an unbiblical disservice to our faith. Our witness is not very effective when it calls attention to our lack of empathy instead of to the real issues of the gospel.
          Gentleness is also very important when dealing with the shortcoming of other Christians. Look at Galatians 6:1:

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.

           It is our responsibility to show gentleness in even the harshest confrontations. Although we are to confront unrepentant sin and hard hearts with firmness, as shown in 1 Corinthians 5:9-12:

9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

          , we are to consider the emotional needs of people that are repentant and reassure them that they are still loved and accepted by the community, as in 2 Corinthians 2:5-8:

 5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

       Not only are we to show gentleness to those who are struggling with sin in one way or another, we are also called to be gentle and forgiving with the everyday quirks and irritations that come with our family in Christ, as shown in Colossians 3:12-14:

 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

 Peace,
Simeon Snow