II Corinthians 10:1 refers to Christ's meekness ( prautes) and gentleness ( epieikeia) as separate virtues. It's a beauty that cannot fade away. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). A common misconception is that gentleness is weakness or passivity. Lists. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. Meaghan is a homeschooling mom of 3 boys and a gentle Christian parenting coach. 5 Jun. By showing gentleness towards others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and set an example for others to follow. 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. 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. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus is explaining why we should embrace His way of life. James contrasts gentleness with filthiness and rampant wickedness. It is the mark of being one of wisdom. We do this whenever we feel afraid of the future. 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. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and . An example of gentleness can be seen in John 8, when the Pharisees bring a woman who was caught in adultery to Jesus. Beginning and End God has neither beginning nor end. He was talking about people who have mastered themselves their appetites, their passions, and their pride so that they can act with wisdom and self-control instead of being controlled by their emotions. The opposite of gentleness is: Rudeness, manipulation, or disrespect. So, what does gentleness mean? We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. Gentleness comes from a state of humility. Father / Grandfather / Minister / Missionary / Deacon / Elder / Author / Luke 22:42, John 4:34, 7:16-17. It is the opposite of pride, haughtiness, and self-exaltation. When a Christian leader falls, it is almost always due to a lack of self-control and personal discipline. He was said to have been cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer. Isa 53:7 ). The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is goodness? The opposite of gentleness might be rudeness, being mean, or not considering other people's feelings. . Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. I think that fashion doesnt have to cost a fortune. 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Gentle Christian Parenting is a participant in affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other sites at no extra cost to you. Gentleness Defined Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). Cruelty and unkindness. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. He emphasizes the gentle aspect of meekness toward others. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. 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. The disciple James also wrote that Christians should be gentle toward all men (James 1:27). The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is self-control. A meek spirit, a gentle spirit, a quiet spirit. Check Out Amazon Educational Resources on The Spirit of Gentleness. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Fashion designer Coco Chanel once remarked, gentleness doesnt get work done unless you happen to be a hen laying eggs., Sadly, this dismissal of gentleness is not reserved for the world. Some people would say that peace is the opposite of war, when there is no fighting or violence. Your email address will not be published. attentiveness patience responsiveness tolerance willingness generosity personableness tenderness softness flexibility tenderheartedness niceness geniality understanding warmth amiability affability amiableness graciousness pleasantness kindliness benignity humaneness agreeability mercifulness manners kindheartedness thoughtfulness benevolence The Lord is near. 5:16, 22-23) . The Oxford Dictionary defines gentleness as, "the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered." Kindness is literally a part of gentleness; the two are intertwined, and therefore when one is portrayed, so is the other. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Jesus was also known for his gentleness. That is having peace with others. 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. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselveswith compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). As a result, our children learn to trust us and to respond to us with respect. But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance andgentleness (I Timothy 6:11). W. Barclay, New Testament Words, pp. You may also enjoy:The Responsibilities of a Parent in the BibleChildren Should Be Seen and Not Heard A Biblical PerspectiveFree Bible Verse Coloring Pages (including the fruit of the Spirit bible verse), Your email address will not be published. You can be gentle in him thanks for sharing and encouraging . Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab522d57b5eb8560ccf33254c1125cdc" );document.getElementById("e218d56cc5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? The LORD recently spoke to me about how harsh I can be. In sharing the good news of the gospel we are to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). You and those around you reap many benefits by prioritizing gentleness. Click here to read more verses about gentleness. (1Timothy 3:3 the Revised Version (British and American); Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1Peter 2:18); also, with article, Philippians 4:5 (the King James Version "moderation," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"). Gentleness is typically used as an opposite of harshness. There have always been arguments on whether it is an attribute to desire or avoid. Gentleness is an important virtue because it makes the world a better place. Some argue that a gentleness is just as strong if not stronger as brute force. 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. 6. . We're also more likely to receive blessings from God. For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement. The Old Testament. It is displayed by Good Behavior and one of the fruits of the spirit, in the hidden person of the heart. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. Galatians 5 . When people are kind and caring, they are more likely to get along with others and resolve conflicts peacefully. For starters, Gentleness is the opposite of anger. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. Its a quality of character. We grow in gentleness by surrounding ourselves with gentle people. But it is also important to remember that he was a man who was deeply compassionate and full of mercy. I have been helped in the area of gentleness, Youre welcome glad to hear its helpful! This means that we are to be gentle with others, even when they have wronged us. In fact, it was his gentleness that allowed him to touch the hearts of so many people and change their lives forever. Practice patience and kindness in your everyday interactions with others. They are believed to have been as close as anyone possible. What does this look like? When we are full of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be seen in our lives. 11:29 NIV). In many languages, gentleness and meekness are equated with gentle speech. The apostle Paul wrote that gentleness was one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). If God were brutish, not a one of us could stand. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. They are finding things that have been overlooked for years. It is important to remember that as Christians we are called to more than this. Note that the Catholic church includes a few additional fruits as part of tradition, listing 12: Download This Fruit Of The Spirit Bible Verse For Your Phone. Other faithful followers found this to be true (Job 29:22, 2 Timothy 2:25). Gentleness is not a natural human trait it requires humility and self-control, two things that only come from God. How is God gentle? The biblical concept of gentleness is often misunderstood. 94-96, 240-42; W. Bauder, NIDNTT, 2:256-64; H. Preisker, TDNT, 2:588-90; F. Hauck and S. Schulz, TDNT, 6:645-51. When we humble ourselves and trust in Gods strength, we can show gentleness even to those who are difficult to love. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Such an invitation, from such a person, is precious beyond words. To be gentle means showing love and care for others in how you act and speak. Bibliography. I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. For some, this might be a no-brainer. Focus on the positive qualities of the person who hurt you instead of their negative actions. hardness. Gentleness, also translated "meekness," does not mean weakness. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. The good news is that Gentleness can be learned. Gentleness is opposed to all forms of prideful anger: "quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility" ( 2 Corinthians 12:20 ). The picture would be exponentially worse than a very small child trying to hold a kitten, not wielding his power correctly and doing irreparable harm to the small animal. There is a strong connection in the bible between gentleness and the power of words. In the Old Testament the Septuagint uses it once in Psalm 45:4. It is necessary, then, that we wield this authority with gentleness. We may not realize it, but we are graced a tremendous amount of power. Here are the nine fruits of the spirit as listed in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 5 Steps to Achieving the Fruit of Gentleness (or Meekness) that Leads to Blessedness. Extend grace when someone offends you, even if they dont deserve it. Jesus has been relentlessly showing me that my character IN HIM is gentleness & self-control. When we see it this way, we can begin to work toward becoming gentler. The gentleness of our God has the attributes of love, grace, mercy as well as judgment. Your email address will not be published. When we celebrate leaders who get things done but do so in a way entirely contrary to Christ, we are tainting our hearts. Antonyms: drunkenness, excess, gluttony, greed, intemperance, intoxication, reveling, revelry, self-indulgence, sensuality, wantonness Synonyms: abstemiousness, abstinence, continence, fasting, frugality, moderation, self-denial, self-restraint, sobriety, temperance Preposition: The negative side of virtue is abstinence from vice. Against such things there is no law. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. Always be humble andgentle. 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. Its the opposite of anger and harshness. Doing so creates a closer connection and will save you from needless hardships in your relationships. We grow in gentleness much in the way that we grow in every fruitwe abide in Jesus. The one who is truly wise and who has received the implanted word will be marked by gentleness. Gentleness is the quality of being kind, considerate, and mild. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Click here to show subject links in the text for more information. This means more that which is fitting, right, and equitable. Think of this more as being kind and nice. We are to be calm and respectful when speaking with others. The Holy Spirit wants us to cultivate this fruit of gentleness in our lives. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is patience? Before we can begin to unpack what it means to have gentleness we must first look into the meaning of the word. This is similar language to what Paul used in 1 Corinthians 4:21, when he contrasts gentleness with coming to them with a rod.. It's the opposite of anger and harshness. We see in Jesus a deeper definition of gentleness. If children cannot obey their parents who they can see physically, how will they obey God who they cannot see. Finding healing in those wounds can often help us to respond with gentleness instead of harshness. 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.. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. His manner is not harsh or abrasive. God always speaks and acts in a gentle way. Empathy is acknowledging another persons point of view to understand their feelings. The apostle Paul wrote, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). Why is it important for us to follow Gods example of gentleness? The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. So he drew his sword and was about to kill himself (Acts 16:27) But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here. (Acts 16:28) And he called for lights and rushed in and fell down before Paul and Silas (Acts 16:29-30a) Then he took them both out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30b). Gentleness means taking into account someone or something's well being. Colossians 3:20 (esv). The opposite of temperance is self-indulgence. Ephesians 4:1-2. I'm Christina, a mom of three who is passionate about helping Christian parents and caregivers tend to their children with the full character of Jesus, including his gentleness. 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." Advertisement What is the value of gentleness? Our research shows that gentleness is the most overlooked fruit of the Spirit, and not by a little. Prautes describes a condition of mind and heartan internal attitudewhereas gentleness (mildness combined with tenderness) refers to actionsan external behavior. It can be described with one word from the Book of Books. Gentleness can also be a sign of strength, not weakness. So now that we understand the call to gentleness and its many benefits, how do we put it into practice?Here are 10 ways you can show gentleness: Here are some bible verses on gentleness to encourage and build you up. It is the ability to be kind and loving even in the face of adversity. Would you rather be around someone who is marked by a gentle spirit or one who is harsh, brutish, critical, and aggressive? All rights reserved. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a298435548fac6131ddbee45a6669aa4" );document.getElementById("e218d56cc5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. Both qualities come from God and both are fruits of His Spirit at work in our lives. It is a positive trait that can help you improve your relationships with others and even yourself. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. Fighting destroys relationships and takes so much time to repair. A gentle heart comes from having love for others. People will see Jesus in us when we are gentle. Of all the character traits which could have been part of the fruit of the Spirit, why is gentleness in that list? Reach out to the person who hurt you and try to reconcile. Gentleness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com) Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is gentleness? of 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. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). . We are harsh and brutish when we are attempting to grab ahold of authority or power that isnt our own. It can only tell us what we should not do and why its wrong. So, you might be surprised to know the Bible has much to say about gentleness. It is the opposite of harshness and roughness. Its a way of dealing with people, yourself, and God. When we think of the life of Jesus, we often think of his miracles and his teachings. From these examples of gentleness in the bible, we can picture a soft touch, calm reassurance, and a loving hand. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The opposite of gentleness is anger, a desire for revenge, and self-importance. 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. I justified it as being 64 and still having children at home (Intellectually challenged). Gentleness comes from a state of humility. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. But the opposite is true.