You can also check out these gentle parenting bible study discussion guides.This post was written by guest blogger Meaghan Jackson ofGentle Parenting Coaching. We need to allow God to work in us so that we can be more like Jesus every day. However, there are many situations for which it requires great strength of character and self-control to be gentle. We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.. Here is a sample of their uses. After everyone left, Jesus did not condemn the woman, and said to her, Go now and leave your life of sin (John 8:11). We like to think that if Jesus were on earth today, hed be carrying around a whip. Yet, he is gentle with us. A passage from the Bible is even more powerful if we read what comes before it: at the end of chapter ten, the prophet Isaiah says that God is going to cut down all the trees, and that's why there's "a stump" when this passage begins. Beginning and End God has neither beginning nor end. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. Consider how you talk to yourself. But gentleness is also opposed to lazy apathy and insensitivity. People who are gentle tend to be happier and more content with life. When we follow Gods example of gentleness, we are displaying the character of Christ to a lost and dying world. So, what does gentleness mean? of In doing so, we reflect the character of our Heavenly Father and demonstrate his love to the world. By showing gentleness to our spouses, we are not only making them feel loved and appreciated, but we are also setting a tone of respect and consideration that will spill over into other areas of our lives. Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). Proud member Now, it's not to say that, if things are not peaceful, then war won't exist. Gentle words wield great power ( Prov 15:1 ; 25:15 ). 10. It was a failure, and he tore up a good deal of potential evidence. Again, the goal is always the unity of the Spirit; that is the demonstrated testimony of transforming gospel power. When we are patient and kind with those who are hurting, we offer them a glimpse of the hope and healing that is found in Jesus. It is important to Christians because it is important to God. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? It stands in contrast to baseness ( Deuteronomy 28:54 Deuteronomy 28:56 ), harshness ( 2 Sam 18:5 ), and wildness ( Job 41:3 ). Gentleness Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY - JW.ORG If God were brutish, not a one of us could stand. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "I'll believe it when I see it.". Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take a moment to ask God for his gentleness, and then extend that same grace to those around you. In Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians the word is used in lists combined with things like humility as virtues and graces. Instead, we gently express what we believe without being critical or judgmental. All rights reserved. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25) Then, Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the jail were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyones chains were unfastened. (Acts 16:26) The jailer woke up, and saw that the prison doors were open. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is self-control. Gentleness can also be a sign of strength, not weakness. Each aspect of this fruit is characteristic of Christ Jesus. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. How The Fruit Of The Spirit Changes Us - Woman of Noble Character 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. Weekly Devotional: Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness - GCU But the opposite is true. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. This means more "that which is fitting, right, and equitable." Following Jesus' example, Paul treats his people gently, "like a mother caring for her little children" ( 1 Thess 2:7 ). hardness docility, intentional mildness roughness docility, intentional mildness abruptness steepness harshness imperviousness docility, intentional mildness precipitousness brutality unkindness Filters Most terms are nouns Suggest I am not affectionate, and I fail to give loving hugs. I'm too self-centered to stop and kiss my child's scraped knee. The Lord is near. A soft Answer shows us Gods Gentleness and points us toward the tree of life. The power of gentleness should never be underestimated, especially when it comes to raising children. If the previous search had been crushing a walnut with a sledgehammer, the current team is crushing a walnut with precision lasers and analyzing content all the way through the process. Why Gentleness Is So Important As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. God himself spoke to Elijah as a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). We need to be intentional about showing our spouse gentleness. We need His help to be gentle! "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, " exhorts Paul ( Eph 4:2 ). So much of the peace and harmony we seek is directly affected by how we treat others. I hope you enjoy and come back often. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 16 Best Bible Verses About Teaching Children in God's Way When we are gentle with our children, we send the message that they are safe and loved. A. Just like how Jesus was gentle with the woman in this story, God is gentle with us. It is a positive trait that can help you improve your relationships with others and even yourself. Gentleness is getting something done. Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. 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. Gentle Like a Shepherd. 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). In short, gentleness is an essential ingredient in good parenting. The gentleness of Jesus is a subject that has been much talked about over the years. The opposite of temperance is self-indulgence. But the Bible speaks differently. As parents and caregivers, let us always remember the power of gentleness in shaping the hearts and minds of our children. We may not realize it, but we are graced a tremendous amount of power. Gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1). . Talk to a trusted friend or counselor about the hurt youve experienced. The opposite of gentleness might be rudeness, being mean, or not considering other people's feelings. 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." Toughness and controlled anger in a just cause are not the opposite of gentleness. Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered, or feels the need for revenge. Gentleness is the quality of being kind and considerate. This means that we are to be gentle with others, even when they have wronged us. 13 Best Ways to Live Out Gentleness in the Bible He is slow to anger and forgiving of sinners. Consider what would happen if the omnipotent God was characterized by harshness with his creatures made of dust. 47 Bible verses about Gentleness - Knowing Jesus He went peacefully to His death because He knew it was the only way to save us from our sins. God provides many examples of gentleness in the bible, Jesus himself being the best model. Doing so creates a closer connection and will save you from needless hardships in your relationships. Fruit of The Spirit - Gentleness - The Sisterhood Hub Meaghan is a homeschooling mom of 3 boys and a gentle Christian parenting coach. This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! In the New Testament, the word does not appear in the Gospels or Acts though it does appear in root form in Matthew 5:5 to describe Jesus. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem entitled "The Village Blacksmith" gives us a wonderful demonstration of genuine gentleness. Some argue that a gentleness is just as strong if not stronger as brute force. Fighting destroys relationships and takes so much time to repair. The Old Testament. There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. Yield, surrender, and submit your will to the will of God. Not only does it mean being kind to people who are kind to you, but also it means being kind even when someone isnt nice back! What the Bible is . 5 Jun. It should not be seen as a weakness, but rather as a strength. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. You can prevent inciting anger by choosing to respond with gentleness. God wants children to learn obedience to Him through their parents. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Great damage has been done by Christians who have wielded God-given authority for their own ends instead of for the kingdom. This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! We will not be easily offended and will control our tempers. Would you rather be around someone who is marked by a gentle spirit or one who is harsh, brutish, critical, and aggressive? What does this look like? Posted on Monday, May 17, 2021 by K-LOVE Pastors. It doesnt have to be an extravagant gesture, something as simple as offering to rub their tired feet or making them a cup of tea when you see them looking frazzled can make such a difference. There is peace in our homes when nobody is arguing or fighting. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. When we're gentle with ourselves and with others, we represent and experience Him. We who have the mind of Christ ought to also have at our core a gentleness of spirit. The word is most frequently used by Paul, James, and Peter. When Adam and Eve started out in the Garden of Eden, they had peace with God. The world is full of harshness and rudeness. harshness. And how can you use gentleness to improve your relationships with others? document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); My Goal Is to Inspire You and Help You Have Fun Serving Our Lord - Have Fun Greg, 11/22 I added a New Feature - There will be a JLT Video Video that you can play - It will Show Lesson in Caption Form - If you turn on your sound it will Read it to You -I will have all added by 3/23 - God Bless Greg, 12/22 I have added a New Feature - Where applicable I will add a Quiz - to sharpen your knowledge going forward as we do lessons - Feel Free to Use it as you Like - Have Fun Greg, 1/12/23 I Have Added a New Category - Bible Verses on - The Topic We are Covering Will Now have a List of Associated Bible Verses - Enjoy, 2/17/2023 I Have Added a New Feature Each Lesson will Have a Unique Facts Page about the Topic - Enjoy Greg, 2/10/2023 I have Begun a New Series of Lessons - "What does the Bible Say About" I am Working Through Major Topics in Bakers Illustrated Bible Dictionary - for my Topics (Adding 30 Topics / Month} - Feel free to use - Greg, Leading Missionary Teams for 40 Years"Where Their is No Vision - The People Perish" KJVProverbs 29:18" As Iron Sharpens Iron - So One Person Sharpens Another"Proverbs 27:17"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Posted by ; royal canin yorkie dog food reviews; parkland psychiatric hospital dallas, tx . Harshness, meanness, or malice. We're more likely to listen and understand others when we're gentle. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Note here that the opposite of gentleness is a desire for revenge, anger, and self -aggrandizement. 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). Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and it's not just a nice thing to be. Gentleness is a marker of power used and handled properly. 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. God is often described as being gentle. It is important to have an accurate perception of what gentleness is. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be seen in our lives. General Editor. A common misconception is that gentleness is weakness or passivity. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.. 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. Through prayer, we can ask God to give us a spirit of gentleness and take away any feelings of self-righteousness. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Online Christian Articles and Information Hub. However, God calls us to a higher standard. The Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek NT defines it this way: Prautes denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge controlled strength, the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment; the ability to provide a soothing influence on someone who is in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life the word indicates an obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gentle attitude and kind acts toward others, and this often in the face of opposition.. Word of the Month: Gentleness - Heritage Church "Paul to TimothyII Timothy 2: 2KJV, We have Ads Running on this site. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. In the Bible, gentleness is also called meekness, and it is a prominent virtue in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In some ways these two words are opposite poles of a spectrum: Meekness or gentleness is the quality of having strength under control, while humility is the quality of self-forgetfulness and giving up personal rights for the sake of others. In the New Testament epieikeia ("fairness," "moderation," in Acts 24:4 translated "clemency") is in 2Corinthians 10:1 translated "gentleness," "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Macc 2:22 "favour," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"); chrestotes, "kindness," "usefulness," is translated "gentleness" in Galatians 5:22 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "kindness"; chrestos is the word translated "kind" (to the unthankful and evil, Luke 6:35), and chrestotes seems to carry in it a similar idea of active kindness. How is God gentle? Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. We see in Jesus a deeper definition of gentleness. Why is it important for Christians to be gentle? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. He discloses himself not just in wind and earthquake and fire, but in "a gentle whisper" ( 1 Kings 19:11-13 ). Paul then continues to model gentleness in the way he preaches (1 Thes 2:7 and 1 Cor 4:21). Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. (Psalm 37:37) People of the world resolve conflict mostly by political power, forced conformity, or even brute force. Crucify ego, self-will, and pride. 5:22). Gentleness is not a natural human trait it requires humility and self-control, two things that only come from God. What is gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit? Copyrights 2021 Gentle Christian Parenting. Jesus teaches us, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Gentleness in the Bible - Definition, Meaning and References Before we can begin to unpack what it means to have gentleness we must first look into the meaning of the word. What Does the Bible Say About Gentleness? - OpenBible.info The good news is that Gentleness can be learned.