Gentleness

• Gentleness is misunderstood. It is often considered either feminine or weak. This is in large part due to the modern definition we attach to the word gentleness.

Modern definition of gentleness: “The noun, gentleness, is perfect for describing the way someone acts when they are soft and calm and sweet to other people. A good kindergarten teacher speaks to his students with gentleness, and your favorite dentist might be one who treats you with gentleness.”1
o If this is the definition, very few masculine guys want to be that.

Biblical gentleness as used in Galatians 5 is meekness: gentle strength. Displaying the right blend of force and reserve. Avoids unnecessary harshness, yet without compromising or being too slow to use necessary force.2

• Gentleness is not an accident of disposition or relational style. Whether loud or quiet, male or female, powerful or powerless, every disciple should be gentle.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NLT) 11But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

• This verse has the words, “fight, hold tightly, pursue” as well as gentle. Biblical gentleness is strength under control.

Biblical gentleness is contrasted incredibly well by looking at Israel’s first two kings: Saul and David.
• God picked Saul to show the people that human kings were not better than God’s rule.
• Saul started out humble but soon began to abuse the power and authority of his kingship.
• God has Samuel, the judge, anoint David as king because David was “a man after God’s own heart.”
• David patiently waited 15 years before Saul died and David was proclaimed king.
• Although David becomes a mighty warrior, he doesn’t abuse his power.
• When David had a chance to kill Saul, he didn’t. He believed only God should do that.
• Both kings were warriors and had power and authority. Saul misused his while David modeled gentleness.

THREE THINGS THAT PROMOTE GODLY GENTLENESS:

1) Gentleness comes from understanding…

o David’s view of who God is impacted nearly every major decision in David’s life. Because David believed God is sovereign and good, he trusted that God would work things out.  
o Even when David sinned, his view of who God is brought him to repentance and right standing with God. 
o Some don’t want to be known as being gentle because they care too much about what others think, but our Father looks down and says, “Well done!”

2) Gentleness comes from… 
o Jesus is the best example of humility.

Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) 5You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

3) Gentleness comes from a… 
o Jesus exhibited the perfect balance of force and reserve when it comes to gentleness.

Matthew 21:4-5 (NIV) 4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

When Jesus gets to Jerusalem, He immediately goes to the Temple and creates a scene.
Matthew 21:12-13 (NLT) 12Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

• The gentle can be assertive, but they do not assert themselves. We can be strong and assertive like Jesus, yet gentle if we leverage power not to assert self, but to promote the cause of God or the needy.

THERE ARE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS TO BEING GENTLE:

1) Gentleness…

relationships.

Ephesians 4:2-3 (NLT) 2Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

2) Gentleness helps bring…

Galatians 6:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

3) Gentleness even brings people…

2 Timothy 2:23-25 (NLT) 23Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

NEXT STEPS:
• Assess whether you are a gentle person.
o Are you overly sarcastic? Are you critical? Does your body or face say something other than your words?
• You will have to get someone else’s viewpoint.
o Ask this question if you really want to know: “What’s it like being on the other side of me?”
 To know might be painful, but if we truly want to become more like Jesus, we need to know.
• To someone who will keep you accountable, commit to become more gentle.
o Different people receive gentleness differently.
o We are oftentimes gentler with those who don’t know us than with those who do.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 25:15; Philippians 2:5-11 & 4:4,5
Icebreaker: What are some of your top things to do when the weather is beautiful?

1. What from the sermon was significant to you?
2. Choose a passage used in the sermon. Read it twice. What is it showing us about gentleness?
3. After hearing the sermon, how would you define gentleness? In what ways is that different from how you have thought of gentleness before?
4. Where are you most likely to be gentle? A) When are you least likely to be gentle?
5. Read Philippians 2:5-8 and Colossians 3:1,12. What place does gentleness have in your day-to-day life? A) What actions and attitudes does this challenge you to cultivate?
6. What fruit are you working with the Holy Spirit to cultivate in your life?

Try it! Read Galatians 5
Passages to prepare for next week, Cultivate! Week 10, Self Control
This week, read Titus 2:11-14, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 25:28