But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness

One of the triad of temptations is the pride of life. Angels smile when men exalt themselves as gods in vaulted pride for the hypocrisy of their station. Created lower than angels, the human man has always destroyed himself by elevating his self-worth to be something it is not. There is a feeling of value when pride fills the heart that man is the superior creature of all. The spirit of the Christian is in stark contrast to the arrogance of carnal man as he abides in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is meekness and one of the most powerful characteristics of God’s children. It does not come naturally and must be learned through patient meditation on the word of God. Taking the fruit of the Spirit demands changing the outlook of self to a need for the saving grace of a loving Father.

Gentleness towards others begins first with the heart humbled by the present need of mercy. Sin has cast all men down. Salvation cannot come from man. Through God’s love redemption is found in Jesus Christ. The sacrifice of the Son of God creates a heart filled with the knowledge that only by the grace and mercy of the Lord God is there hope, joy and peace. Meekness or gentleness is the knowledge of man’s inferiority to the grace of God. For carnal man weakness is implied because he wants to be his own god. The outgrowth of a humble spirit toward the Father changes the pride of man to a love for God. A gentle spirit knows the worth of man. He carries this feeling in his relationship with others.

The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness as all men share in the need for grace. Jesus died for everyone. All men have sinned. Arrogance and pride toward others defeats the purpose of the sacrifice of Jesus. In the Christian graces meekness is adapting a spirit of grace toward others and seeing the need of the other man is as great as our own. Submission to God shows itself in submission to others. Being obstinate and self-reliant with a headstrong impetuosity toward others is not the character of God’s people. The prideful badge of courage in the carnal world is shameful for those cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Gentleness is what makes the Christian stand out as the light of the world or the seasoning power of salt. A meek spirit loves all men seeking their eternal welfare. The two men who went up to pray exhibit the problem with pride and the joy of meekness. One man bragged how he was not like other men and boasted of all his deeds. The justified man would not so much as lift his eyes to heaven declaring himself a sinner seeking the mercy of God. Courage is found in the spirit of gentleness and meekness.

All of the fruits of the Spirit are tempered by gentleness. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control come from a heart that bows in thanksgiving for the eternal mercy and grace of God. Because of the kindness of God toward man, the fruit of the Spirit brings forth a meek spirit dependent on the overshadowing power of God’s presence. The character of the gentle Christian is seen in their speech, attitudes and actions toward their fellow man. Far removed is the ugly spirit of arrogance and pride. The body of Christ would do well to implement the teachings of the Lord with meekness towards one another. Peace comes from meekness. Joy is found in the gentle spirit. Achieving a longsuffering and faithful heart comes from the fertile fields of a meek and quiet spirit. Gentleness. Try it. It will change your life.