Many times, the word gentle can become confused with weak. To look at what gentleness is, you can look at the word meekness. Which often is labeled as being weak. When studying the word meekness it is described as gentle strength.
So actually, being gentle is a strength. It’s quite easy to be the complete opposite, harsh, or evening condemning. When trying not to be harsh you can find out quickly, it is a little harder to do so.
Gentleness or meekness is a fruit of the Spirit. This means it is never something humanly accomplished. We have to yield to the Spirit. It is not by our strength.
You can describe gentleness as avoiding unnecessary harshness yet without compromising or being too slow to use necessary force.
Why is it important to learn about gentleness?
Because without the balance of gentleness when handling a situation or trying to help someone, we can be harsh, which hurts them instead of helping them.
We see Paul using gentleness when teaching God’s Word.
“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you.”
-2 Corinthians 10:1
It is something that should be balanced.
When looking at the Strong’s concordance, it describes it like this:
“Meekness, gentle force, begins with the Lord’s inspiration and finishes with His direction and empowerment. It is a divinely-balanced virtue that can only operate through faith.”
Like Salsa, not everyone can handle the spicy. Its flavor is too harsh, but that does not mean take all of the flavors out of it, leaving it with no taste. You find the balance. You learn to make it mild where that person can handle the Salsa.
You have to find the mildness in being gentle.
So, now before handling a situation or maybe a conversation you are not sure how to handle, ask the Holy Spirit to help you handle it with a gentle spirit. Remember it is a fruit of the Spirit. We need his help.
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