Gentleness As a Fruit of the Spirit

There is something about being loud and commanding that tends to make us pay attention, sometimes even when we may not want to. That’s why advertisers are willing to spend millions of dollars on a campaign that features explosions and people yelling. It’s also why many workplaces have bosses with domineering personalities who have learned how to get upset to get others to do what they want. It is important to remember, though, that the fruit of the Spirit is not aggression or dominance. Coming in at number eight on the list in Galatians, we find the opposite of those things—gentleness.

In a culture that rewards those who make the most noise and refuse to let anyone stand in the way of them climbing to the top of the ladder, it can be hard to embrace the idea that being gentle is the right way to go. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to soften our edges, we begin to see how crazy it is to live like the rest of the world. Proverbs 15:1 tells us that “a gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” So gentleness in our speech helps us to live at peace with one another. Experiencing wrath is something all of us hope to avoid, and yet we often forget how needlessly antagonizing our words can be at times. James 3:17 also tells us that godly wisdom is “gentle.” Isn’t being wise far more valuable than being the most popular or having the nicest things? And yet we’re often willing to live in nonsense if it means that more people will like what we post online.

We truly reflect Christ when we are known for our gentleness, because it’s true of all of our stories that the gentleness of Jesus helped to redeem us.

We should desire to be different—to live for more than ourselves, and impact the world not by how many people are watching us but by how we build others up. Galatians 6:1 says, “if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit.” What an honor it is to think that our gentleness could be a key factor in somebody’s story of redemption. We truly reflect Christ when we are known for our gentleness, because it’s true of all of our stories that the gentleness of Jesus helped to redeem us. Jesus said in Matthew, “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.” Gentleness was what led the Son of God to come as a baby and submit himself to the limitations of being human. Gentleness was what enabled Him to look at the woman caught in adultery and say to her, “Neither do I condemn you…Go, and from now on do not sin anymore” (John 8:11). Gentleness was what led Him to the cross and moved Him to say, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). And because of that sacrifice, your soul can have rest.

The next time you find yourself not being gentle, pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to do a transforming work inside of you.