What is meant by the word “Gentleness” in Scripture has a lot more to do with the skit on the bottom of this post than what you would find in The Webster’s Dictionary.
The Greek word for “Gentleness” is also translated as “meekness” in Scripture.
Many think that to be meek is to be weak…but the opposite is actually true—Meekness is not weakness…Meekness is POWER—but it is power under control. To be meek is to be strong enough to be gentle—it is to use whatever power or authority you have in the right way. A Meek Person recognizes that “just because you can doesn’t always mean you should!”
True meekness is best modeled in the life of Christ. He was ABSOLUTE POWER under control. He never resisted doing the will of God the Father—and His absolute trust in the Father enabled Him to model compassion and courage to a watching world. –And HE wants us to do the same!
#1 GENTLENESS IS ABOUT GROWING UP.
We act like spoiled brats sometimes. (Like whiny kids in a grocery store) We want God to give us what we want and when He doesn't we put up a fit. We are not showing "GENTLENESS" when we do that…
"Gentleness means to NOT fight against God.
Do you fight God? Do you wrestle against His will in your life? Let me ask it a different way: Does He have to fight you every step of the way in your spiritual life? Does God always have to remind you that you are supposed to love HIM and learn from HIM?
Gentleness is about accepting God’s WORD Instead of fighting it.
Let me show you what I mean… look at James 1:21 in the New International Version: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and HUMBLY accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
Now read James 1:21 in the New Century Version: “So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong. Then in GENTLENESS accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts, which can save you.”
Did you notice what I capitalized? "HUMBLY" in the NIV and "GENTLENESS" in the NCV are the same word in Greek. Gentleness is an attitude of welcome to the things God wants to show you in your life.
2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
Psalm 119:1–2 (NIV) “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.”
#2 GENTLENESS IS ABOUT GIVING UP.
I am not talking about being a quitter. (Although there are some things that would be good for us to quit) This 2nd point is about GIVING UP CONTROL!
This use of the word is best understood reading 1 Corinthians 4:21 (NIV) “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?”
Does he really need to ask? ☺ Paul was telling the people in Corinth that "even though he could come to them harshly he chooses to come to them gently" Again--its the meekness idea… Just because you can doesn't mean you should!
We need help to show gentleness and help is exactly what Jesus offers.
Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Wait a minute! That doesn’t sound too relaxing. That sounds like more work. It sounds like something else on my already overloaded shoulders…
It does until you understand what a yoke is. A yoke is not a harness. A harness is placed on one horse or ox. Now, unless you grew up on a farm, you might have the two mixed up. A yoke is a wooden beam that attaches two farm animals together. The yoke lightens the load because they are no longer working solo. Two can carry more than one. More is accomplished when two work together.
The load is halved. The load is shared. The load is lightened.
A yoke is a symbol of partnership. There are two of you working on it and not just one. Jesus says, “I will help you out with your problems. I will help carry your load.” Think about it: JESUS doesn’t have a load. He’s God! His burden is light! He isn't stressed about anything!
To be yoked is to move together in the same direction and at the same pace. Galatians 5:25 (NIV) ”Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Gentleness denotes a life surrendered. It pictures a person who is able to display calm in the midst of chaos. It is the freedom to be so focused on the end result that you are able to accept the painful present.
My sister Michelle's hair used to get so tangled when we were kids that we called her “Dirty Sally” after the character on Gunsmoke. Sometimes it would get so tangled she'd call in reinforcements… MOM.
Michelle would lay her mop in my mom’s lap and the two would go to work… Mom brushing and holding, my sister wincing and crying. (I would have just cut it off) My mom would ask her, “Do you want me to stop?” Michelle would say, “No, mommy…keep going...If you stop I’ll never get it out.”
Understand something about my sister's tears and you will understand something about gentleness: My sister’s tears were not those of resistance, they were tears of submission. Michelle knew that the end result would be worth it. THAT is gentleness.
Is your life in a tangled mess? Have you allowed things to get out of hand only to now find yourself in jam? The longer you wait the more it’ll hurt. Rest your head in God’s lap. Stop resisting God and submit yourself to Him. Allow Him to untangle things.
Lastly…
#3 GENTLENESS IS ABOUT SPEAKING UP.
Its not about just "if" you should say it but HOW you say it!
Galatians 6:1–2 (NIV) “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
2 Timothy 2:25–26 (NIV) “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) “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,”
Ephesians 4:1–2 (NIV) “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Again, what is meant by the word “GENTLENESS" in Scripture has a lot more to do with the following skit "God's Chisel" than what you will find in The Webster’s Dictionary.
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