We continue are reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we look at chapter 11 – Growing Strong Through Gentleness.
The fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness. Galatians 5:22
“Gentleness means to be gentle or meek, to be lowly or jumble. It is a form of self-control which Christ alone can give, and it manifests itself in a submissive spirit toward both God and man. Gentleness is also the opposite of self-reliant arrogance. Gentleness is truly grown in a hothouse-and there’s a high price to pay to cultivate its bloom!”The author gives us six reasons why gentleness is so costly:
1. "Gentleness Means Trusting the Lord. Gentleness is not resentful, it bears no grudge and it is not involved in mulling over injuries. Instead, gentleness finds refuge in the Lord and His ways. It endures plundering, provocation, and suffering in humble submission to an all-wise, caring Father, trusting totally in the love of God.I like what the author says next. “Yes, it’s true that in the eyes of the world, gentleness may look like weakness, but producing this fruit calls for the greatest of strength! Indeed, gentleness has been called ‘the fruit of power.”
How can anyone bear plundering, provocation, suffering, and ill-treatment? Faith. The invisible root system of gentleness goes deep into the rich soil of faith. Faith believes that everything that happens in our life is allowed by God and that He is able to help us handle our situation.
2. Gentleness Means Submitting to the Master. William Barclay offers another picture of gentleness…’What throws most light on [the meaning of gentleness] is that the adjective…is used of an animal that has been tamed and brought under control.’
a. The word tame is opposite of wild, describes one accustomed to control by another.
b. The word tame suggests one whose will has been broken or who has allowed himself or herself to be dominated by the will of another.
c. The tame person, therefore…
i. Has been toned down and exhibits complete dependence on another.
ii. Has yielded all will to another’s control.
iii. Unquestioningly and humbly obeys what is ordered and accepts what is given.
iv. Is docile and obedient and pliable, as opposed to fierce.
v. Is easy to work with and to be with.
It helps us to think about gentleness in terms of submitting to our Master, the Lord Jesus. Don’t you desire to be controlled by Him? Don’t you want to be easy to work with and be with?
3. Gentleness Means Following Christ’s Example. Jesus came not as a storming conqueror or a battling king, but as the King who is meek, gentle, peaceful, gracious. ’Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart (Matthew 11:29). Dear sister, we follow Jesus’ example of gentleness when we, like Him, find refuge in God and commit our way to Him. Jesus’ gentleness was grounded in a complete trust in His loving Father, and ours can be, too, as we cultivate gentleness by following His example.
4. Gentleness Means Bowing the Soul. The Old Testament term for gentleness, anah, describes a mature, ripened shock of grain with its head bent low and bowed down. I want to be a Christian with a lowered head, seasoned and mature, well past the stages of arrogance, pride, and vain emptiness.
5. Gentleness Means Putting on a Gentle Spirit. Wearing this gracious garment calls for a decision from us. As I mentioned earlier, God loves the quality of gentleness in His women. We see this in 1 Peter 3:1-6. It includes elements of submission, behavior, heart, trust and faith.
6. Gentleness Means ‘Take It’. A woman is practicing gentleness or meekness means she will take it. She bears with tranquility the disturbances others create. She endures ill treatment. She withstands misunderstandings. Carrying the image of Jesus and His suffering in her mind and heart, she takes it, thus cultivating the fruit of God’s gentleness."
This is a lot to take in, to contemplate, about gentleness and there is still more to cover. Maybe you are like me not having thought about the cost of gentleness and what that means to me or you. Take time today to think about the reasons the author gave on why gentleness is so costly.
I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow as we continue looking at the fruit of gentleness.
Blessings,
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