For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. But more specifically we grow in gentleness by practicing it. The opposite of temperance is self-indulgence. To really understand this word, think of a powerful animal that is brought under control. In our increasingly polarized society, Christians are also succumbing to the idea that what we really need is brute strength to get things done. The New Testament is full of examples of Jesus gentleness. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.. He is gentle with you. He was always willing to forgive those who had sinned against him and he always treated others with respect, no matter who they were. Part I: Meekness and Humility Toward God In the Bible, meekness is primarily emphasized as submissiveness toward God (rather than toward men). jen'-t'-l-nes (`anah; epieikeia, chrestotes): In 2Samuel 22:36 `anah, "to bend low," "to condescend," is translated "gentleness," "Thy gentleness hath made me great," the Revised Version, margin "or condescension"; so also Psalms 18:35, where the word is `anwah "humility," "gentleness," or "condescension." The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is goodness? Christ himself was a model of gentleness, and he calls us to follow his example. 5 Jun. Gentleness is not a natural human trait it requires humility and self-control, two things that only come from God. When we are gentle with our children, we model for them the way God treats uswith patience, understanding, and love. Be subject to and obey God's word. You canread my full affiliate disclosure here. The Spirit-Filled Life: Discovering the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit by Charles Stanley. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus takes upon himself this descriptor: I am gentle and lowly in heart., And when Jesus tells us what animates him most deeply, what is most true of himwhen he exposes the innermost recesses of his beingwhat we find there is: gentle and lowly. (Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 19). Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. To understand what gentleness looks like in practice, lets look at some examples from scripture: Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. To have gentleness is to have a gentle spirit or nature about you. Your email address will not be published. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 889 opposites of gentleness- words and phrases with opposite meaning. Fighting destroys relationships and takes so much time to repair. It is shown in the Old Testament and the New Testament. There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. All rights reserved. So, what does gentleness mean? A soft Answer shows us Gods Gentleness and points us toward the tree of life. To me, its important to raise my children with gentleness and tenderness. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. When Jesus said Blessed are the meek, He was not talking about people who are doormats or pushovers. One example is found in 1 Peter 3:4-5: But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious., Another example is found in Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.. This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. The Bible tells us that God is gentle and loving and that we should imitate His character in our own lives. Gentleness doesn't come naturally. Here are some steps you can take to learn how to be more gentle with others: 1. 5:16, 22-23) . ( Matt. For starters, Gentleness is the opposite of anger. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? In sharing the good news of the gospel we are to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). Being gentle has a long history in many, but not all cultures. It is important to remember that as Christians we are called to more than this. This would mean that if we have an opportunity to help someone else but it would cost us something, then we should do whatever we can to help them instead of just focusing on ourselves. The world without Christ considers gentle people to be weak people, losers, doormats. 11:28-30 ) It's no accident that these words have been greatly celebrated. Gentleness also means that we are patient with those who disagree with us, because they may have valid reasons for their position or opinion. Far from dismissing gentleness, the Scriptures speak of gentleness as the way the kingdom of God "gets things done.". This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra charge to you, if you choose to purchase through one of the links on this page. of the flesh" "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Gal. God always speaks and acts in a gentle way. The apostle Paul stated that "a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be . In the Old Testament, gentleness is illustrated in the bible as a stream or river (Isaiah 8:6) and also to a shepherd caring for his flock of lambs (Isaiah 40:11). This is similar language to what Paul used in 1 Corinthians 4:21, when he contrasts gentleness with coming to them with a rod.. Truth be told, it takes a strong person to be truly gentle. One definition comes from Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness. Another translation says, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering. The word for gentleness here means strength under control or power working itself out in love. He does not keep record of our wrongs, but offers forgiveness if we come to Him. The gentleness of Jesus is a subject that has been much talked about over the years. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! . Colossians 3:20 (esv). Gentleness evidences itself in a willingness to yield, reminiscent of a lamb being led to slaughter ( Jer 11:19 ; cf. For more help incorporating gentleness into your parenting, consider working with Meaghan.Learn More About Meaghan here.Enjoy this post? We will see that gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3','ezslot_1',624,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3-0'); Gentleness is often seen as a virtue, and it is praised throughout history. Im too self-centered to stop and kiss my childs scraped knee. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is kindness? Doing so creates a closer connection and will save you from needless hardships in your relationships. synonyms Gentleness is more than just being nice and kind and caring towards others; its actually the quality of God Himself who has been poured out into our hearts by His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). But the opposite is true. In the Scriptures gentleness is at times translated as meekness. Your email address will not be published. January 15, 2016 by Lauren Abraham in [ Spiritual Life ] "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. My heart is too hard to go in the spirit of meekness to visit the sister who I have offended or who has offended me (, More Heart to Heart: Godly Wisdom Woman To Woman. In Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians the word is used in lists combined with things like humility as virtues and graces. We grow in gentleness much in the way that we grow in every fruitwe abide in Jesus. By showing gentleness towards others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and set an example for others to follow. Galatians 5:22-23. Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will have the fruit of gentleness in our lives. But taking even a few minutes out of our busy schedules to express our love and affection to our spouse can make a world of difference in our relationship. And how can you use gentleness to improve your relationships with others? The world is full of harshness and rudeness. Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. One definition comes from Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness. Another translation says, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering. The word for gentleness here means strength under control or power working itself out in love. The biblical concept of gentleness is based on the idea that humans are made in the image of God and are therefore to be treated with dignity and respect. We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. It is necessary, then, that we wield this authority with gentleness. There are many who feel that this is one of the most important aspects of his life and teachings. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. We're more likely to listen and understand others when we're gentle. Join us here for a short study on gentleness in the bible and how to live it out. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). It seems to be synonymous with being a good person. The good news is that Gentleness can be learned. Jesus describes Himself as gentle. Copyrights 2021 Gentle Christian Parenting. Just as with the humble we see that God is working to defend and rescue the poor. The word can also be used to translate another Hebrew word that refers to things like enduring hardship (Psalm 132:1), toil and trouble (Psalm 89:10). Furthermore, when we are gentle with our children, we help them to develop into well-rounded individuals who are able to navigate the challenges of life with grace and strength. It's a way of life. Here Christ makes a connection between gentleness and humility. So glad to hear it was encouraging to you it is extra challenging to be gentle when we feel like our needs are being intruded on. What is gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit? Gentleness is an important quality for Christians to develop if they want to be effective in spreading Gods Word and helping others come closer to Christ. You can find various definitions of gentleness online: A mildness of manners or disposition Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. Extend grace when someone offends you, even if they dont deserve it. And these are the people whom I admire the most. What Does the Bible say about Vegetarianism vs Meat eating | Eat Meat in the Bible, 9 Examples of Gentleness in the Bible | Gentle, The Fruit of Gentleness in the New Testament, The Power of Gentleness in Leading men To Christ, The Power of Gentleness with our Children, Final Thoughts Examples of Gentleness in the Bible, 140622eng-gotfruitseriespart5-gentlenessbyjocelyntan-140622233213-phpapp01, Use Google Church Grant For Your Church $10,000 / Month - God Bless Steve, Stuck on Sermon / Need Class Ideas / Outlines / Ask Ja, Copyright 1920-2023 Jesus Leadership Training. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. As Yahweh's representative, the messianic king comes in humility and gentleness ( Zec 9:9 ). And it starts with being humble before God acknowledging that we need His help to change and grow and allowing Him to work through us by His Spirit to make us more like His Son. In short, gentleness is an essential ingredient in good parenting. The Pharisees told Jesus that the Law of Moses commanded them to stone such a woman, to which Jesus responds, Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:7). 5 Steps to Achieving the Fruit of Gentleness (or Meekness) that Leads to Blessedness. Through prayer, we can ask God to give us a spirit of gentleness and take away any feelings of self-righteousness. But what is gentleness? It is the ability to be kind and loving even in the face of adversity. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as followers of Jesus we are called to exhibit this character trait in our own lives. Paul was a great example of this. Other faithful followers found this to be true (Job 29:22, 2 Timothy 2:25). In Matthew 11:29, Christ said, " Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (emphasis added throughout). I am too busy to listen to my child's story. Believers ensnared by sin must be restored gently ( Gal 6:1 ). Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and it's not just a nice thing to be. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. When we are gentle with others, we are showing them the love and compassion of Christ. Jesus was gentle in his interactions with people when he preached about love or healed someone who was sick (see Matthew 9). In this verse, Paul makes it clear that gentleness is not something from the Law or from human effort or will power; rather, it comes from Gods grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Violence, aggression, abuse, or brutality. Beginning and End God has neither beginning nor end. I justified it as being 64 and still having children at home (Intellectually challenged). But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Gentleness antonyms What is the opposite word for Gentleness? The biblical book of James says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6). Salem Media Group. Below are a few examples of how to practice this virtue in your life. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. That is having peace with others. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. And they bring the gospel of peace with gentleness and love, not harshness. Gentleness has been a topic of discussion since the beginning of time. The Bridge Bible Fellowship. That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. Some argue that a gentleness is just as strong if not stronger as brute force. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. The Bible has a lot to say about gentleness. It's the opposite of anger and harshness. Is It True That Gentleness Gets Nothing Done. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. Salem Media Group. Jesus' words mirror those spoken by David: Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. The one who is truly wise and who has received the implanted word will be marked by gentleness. 11:29 NIV). We are to stand out from the crowd by being different. of What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? brutality. Gentleness is more than just being nice and kind and caring towards others; its actually the quality of God Himself who has been poured out into our hearts by His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). Luke 22:42, John 4:34, 7:16-17. Typically, those are areas where we are acting in the flesh instead of in the Spirit. It was a failure, and he tore up a good deal of potential evidence. That king, now come in the flesh, is "gentle and humble in heart" ( Matt 11:29 ). That kind of mass violence is the opposite of kindness, goodness, and gentleness. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is peace? From these examples of gentleness in the bible, we can picture a soft touch, calm reassurance, and a loving hand. We live in a broken world, and it can be easy to become jaded and hardened by the pain we see around us. Its a way of life. Yet, he is gentle with us. It can also mean mildness and softness. I am a huge fan of the show The Curse of Oak Island. Its about a couple of brothers and their friends searching for a treasure on an island in Nova Scotia. considerateness.5 The Interpreter's Bible says it is the opposite of hubris, the Greek word for haughty, boastful inso-lence.6 To try to understand gentleness further, let us go through the passages in the Bible where the Greek word prautes is used. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics. There is one main Greek word translated gentlenessprauetes. Its helpful to think about the areas where we are tempted to respond with harshness instead of gentleness. Some of these people include Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. Bible Verses About Protecting The Environment, Bible Verses About Protecting The Innocent, Bible Verses About Protecting The Vulnerable, Bible Verses About Pretending To Be Someone Else, Bible Verses About Proclaiming The Word Of God, Bible Verses About Praying For Lost Souls, Bible Verses About Premarital Relationships, Bible Verses About Practicing What You Preach, Bible Verses About Praising God In Hard Times, Bible Verses About Praising God With Music, Bible Verses About Poverty And Homelessness, Bible Verses About Power In The Name Of Jesus, Bible Verses About Practice Makes Perfect, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days KJV, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days, Bible Verses About Physical Pain And Healing. In Galatians it is a mark of being led by the Spirit and it is shown as an example of walking in step with the Spirit in Galatians 6:1. The disciple James also wrote that Christians should be gentle toward all men (James 1:27). The Bible says that gentleness is not soon angry. (1 Cor. There are two other types of peace. But His grace is sufficient for us, right!? You could also have the children play the role . He was a rough man by trade, but when it came to leading men to Christ, he employed great gentleness.