The Book Of Galatians Chapter 5 Part 10 The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness

 

The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness toward others even when we are wronged.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

The next fruit of the Spirit is "gentleness" which means having moral excellence and a heart of kindness toward others.

"Gentleness" is seen in those who have a mildness of temperament and sweetness of disposition toward others.

The word translated "gentleness" is only used ten times in the New Testament. 

It is translated "goodness (5), kindness (4) and gentleness (1)" so this gives us a good understanding of this fruit. 

When faced with harsh treatment or challenging circumstances, an afflicted Christian is not easily rattled. 

A heart shaped by the Holy Spirit of God will be gentle and kind toward others, even those who do them wrong.

A Christian in whom this fruit is formed will not chaff under adverse circumstances or maltreatment by others.

A gentle and kind spirit is possible because we know that our Lord suffered tremendously on our behalf. 

We know that our sufferings do not approach the level of what Christ endured for us.

Therefore, a Christian can respond with a gentle and kind spirit in the midst of trials, because of God's promise that enduring hardship makes us more like Christ. 

The gentleness of God toward us is to lead us to repentant faith in Christ. 

Romans 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

In writing to the church at Rome, Paul dismantled the arguments against the gospel.

In this case, he warned them about the fact that there is no respect of persons (Wealth, status, education, race, nationality) with God.

God's Spirit guided Paul to use the word translated "gentleness" twice in this text, both times translated as "goodness."

God is always good to all mankind. He sends rain to both good and bad people (See Matthew 5:45). 

He causes the sun to shine that we may grow crops. He gives us times of harvest (See Acts 14:17).

Those who deny the gospel of Christ and reject salvation by repentant faith in Jesus Christ, are guilty of despising the "goodness" of God. 

They reject the good news of justification with God by faith in Christ, not knowing that His "goodness" is meant to lead sinners to repentance.

Have we acknowledged the kindness and grace of God in offering His salvation to all who believe on His Son?

Have we acknowledged the goodness of God in providing all that we need to live?

Gentleness in us will shape our response to trials and persecutors. 

2 Corinthians 6:4-10  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5)  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6)  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7)  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8)  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9)  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10)  As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.  

Our word "gentleness" is translated "kindness" in this text. 

Paul describes the sufferings of Christ's apostles. 

Ministers of the gospel of Christ prove themselves by how they responded during periods of great physical and emotional distress.

Verse six highlights the fruit of God's Spirit as sustaining the apostle through great trials. Kindness is the fruit God's Spirit worked into His apostle through suffering. 

God will fully demonstrate His gentleness toward us forever.

Ephesians 2:5-10  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7)  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 )

 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Our fruit of "gentleness" is translated "kindness" in this passage. 

This primary passage on salvation by grace through repentant faith in Christ, reminds us that our Father is going to show us the exceeding abundance of His kindness toward us.

We were dead in trespasses and sin, and were His enemies. Yet, God commended His love toward us to save us by the sacrifice of His Son. 

God's gentleness helps us put off sinful things and put on His kindness.

Colossians 3:12-13  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13)  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

In writing to the church at Colosse, the Spirit guided Paul to use the word "gentleness" here translated "kindness."

Paul was a master at teaching us about our "old man" and the sin nature we inherit from Adam.

He does this by showing that all old man sinful ways must be "put off." 

God's Spirit always guided Christ's apostles to follow a command to "put off" sinful ways, with a command to "put on" that which glorifies God.

Putting off is like taking off a heavily soiled garment which is our sinful actions. 

Putting on is like robing ourselves in a new, spotless garment, which is the glorious things of God. 

Thus, our new man in Christ must actively seek those good spiritual blessings God has for us.

We have kindness toward others because we have learned about God's kindness or gentleness toward us.

Paul gave us a practical example of this. A Christian who has a dispute with another person must forgive that person just as Christ forgave us. 

How did Jesus forgive us? He forgave us fully and completely with no reservation or restrictions.

This is what "gentleness" looks like in our lives. It is manifesting the heart of God toward mankind. 

When the culture says "Get back at that person who hurt you" gentleness says "I will not react or retaliate but I will forgive that person."

Though we were sinners, God's gentleness brought salvation to all who hear and heed the gospel.

Titus 3:4-6  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6)  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 

Notice what follows the "gentleness" of God, here translated "kindness."

In the face of mankind's fall into sin and our enmity with God, His kindness (gentleness) and love was manifested.

God sent His Son to save all humanity from all generations and all places and all nations. 

The Holy Spirit's washing of regeneration and renewing of mind flows from the kindness or gentleness of God.

May we crave to have all the Spirit's fruit in us. 

May we seek to have a gentle, kind heart as we face hardship or affliction.

Bob