5.17.18 Praise & Prayer Prompt: The Fruits of the Spirit — Gentleness

PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• This is Day Eight of our nine-day study of the Fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Today, we’re looking at GENTLENESS.
This is totally my opinion, but of the Fruits of the Spirit, I think gentleness may be the most underrated.
Maybe it’s because as I see it — the world doesn’t have much gentility in it.
It’s the antithesis of a very harsh me-me-me society.
In Proverbs 15:1 NLT, it says, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”
Or as any Southern grandma would tell you, “You draw more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.”
Let’s talk about this.
Unless you’re one of the few social media hold outs in the world, you’ve likely seen a Facebook argument.
It’s amazing the bravado people have from behind a keyboard!
I have a mental image of opposing sides going into battle, armed with a keyboard as a shield, coffee in the canteen, and an acerbic tongue as the sword.
Not much gentleness goes on in a Facebook argument.
While I make it a point to NOT to discuss politics on my personal Facebook page, I couldn’t help myself during the last election…
I put up a post that essentially said, “Do you honestly think that calling someone a ‘big, fat, stupid, dummy head’ is the best way to win an argument and champion people for your side?”
The point is the truth of Proverbs 15:1.
We’re not going to win people for Christ if we hit them in the head with Bibles and tell them they are headed straight for hell.
We win people for Christ with love and kindness, and a gentle spirit.
The same gentle way Jesus loves us.
In 1 Peter 3:16, it says Christians should share their faith in a “gentle and respectful way.”
And in Titus 3, verse one begins the chapter with what believers should do/not do and in verse two, it says, “They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.”
Gentleness is rooted in kindness, humility, respect, and meekness.
It’s not self-serving, but it’s an others-first way of thinking.
Think of a person who personifies gentleness.
What attributes do they have?
I know several people who have gentle souls and honestly, I just love being around people like this.
They are humble, not prideful.
They are soft, yet strong.
They handle challenges with diplomacy and grace.
It’s the way I would hope others would see me, but if I’m honest — the Holy Spirit is still working on me.
Today, as you pray, praise Jesus for setting the example of true gentility.
And ask the Holy Spirit to give you a gentle Spirit that tames you to a point of kind humility and respect for others.