If we go around today and ask people what gentleness means to them, most of them would say weak, docile, passive and easily intimidated or an excuse for being afraid. People don’t value gentleness anymore. In this era that we live in now, society hold value to the strong. If you are gentle, it means you are weak and be easily defeated. People are emotional, having the need to show who is the boss, that “I AM’ right all the time. They teach that value nowadays to their children and it is no surprise that this younger generation do not have respect to authority or to the elders.
The scripture value gentleness. It is one of the fruit of the Spirit. True Christians that is led by the Holy Spirit should walk in gentleness in their daily life. It doesn’t mean we have to compromise. We hold the value and the standard that God teaches us without compromising but we can deliver our demeanor where we make other people comfortable without being forced, pushed or threatened.
In the book of Philippians chapter 4, Paul wrote to be united is first to rejoice in the Lord always. This happened because division has arisen amongst Philippians. Paul then wrote to let our gentleness be known to all men.
Workers or employees would gladly work hard for a person who is gentle in leading them, but again without compromising. People will support a leader who never raised a voice, being fair in his/her treatment to everyone else and follow through with the consequences. It’s different matter with someone who rules with intimidating factor, yelling, screaming and cursing. People will work hard for a person like that for as long as they can withstand it. They will look for other opportunity elsewhere as soon as they can get it.
A person who speaks word of encouragement and has attitude of calmness will draw people. It will calm people in a crisis situation than someone who yells around. When our gentleness can be felt by others around us, they will feel the presence of God for our God is gentle. He speaks in a gentle small voice. He doesn’t force us even though all of His ways are the right ways. He felt compassion and heal those who were sick. His gentleness draws even sinners that they feel comfortable dining with Him without being judged and it causes them to repent.
People will listen to us when we speak in gentle voice compared to raising our voice. People will put their trust in those who can remain calm in heated debate. People will realize that it is all because of Holy Spirit inside of us.
Philippians 4:5
Daily prayer
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit so that I may produce the fruit of gentleness. That I may show to all that Jesus change my life and my characters and let them see You. In the Name of Jesus I pray.
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