We have swallowed the worlds view of power and control. You can find various definitions of gentleness online: A mildness of manners or disposition Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. Violence, aggression, abuse, or brutality. Lists. Gentleness is opposed to all forms of prideful anger: "quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility" ( 2 Corinthians 12:20 ). Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. Download This Fruit Of The Spirit Bible Verse For Your Phone. The bible verses are quoted below in the NIV version, but if you click the links, you can see the verse in other translations. A gentle touch or kind word can go a long way in building trust and rapport, fostering cooperation and obedience. Our natural response is anger and retaliation. After all, he was a man who was without sin and yet he showed great compassion and mercy towards others, even those who were sinners. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25) Then, Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the jail were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyones chains were unfastened. (Acts 16:26) The jailer woke up, and saw that the prison doors were open. Click here to read more verses about gentleness. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. It is not weakness, nor does it mean that we should never stand up for ourselves. Jesus was gentle in his interactions with people when he preached about love or healed someone who was sick (see Matthew 9). 5:22). We may picture someone who is easily intimidated or who shrinks back from conflict. This would mean that if we have an opportunity to help someone else but it would cost us something, then we should do whatever we can to help them instead of just focusing on ourselves. The Holy Spirit wants us to cultivate this fruit of gentleness in our lives. Even in our sin, He continues to love us. Listen to this story in the Bible about a not-very-gentle king: Tell story from 1 Kings 12:1-15. When we think of the life of Jesus, we often think of his miracles and his teachings. Ill be blunt and say that one of the best things you can do to grow in a spirit of gentleness would be to turn off the 24-hour news stations and talk radio. Being gentle has a long history in many, but not all cultures. This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra charge to you, if you choose to purchase through one of the links on this page. In accord with the prophecy, he enters Jerusalem in gentleness and lowliness ( Matt 21:5 ). The opposite is "unbridled anger, harshness, brutality, and self-expression." ("Self-expression" is the picture of someone who struts and shows off.) Posted by ; royal canin yorkie dog food reviews; parkland psychiatric hospital dallas, tx . Gentleness can also be a sign of strength, not weakness. It is the opposite of being harsh with others. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). It is necessary, then, that we wield this authority with gentleness. Gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world. In sum, the Scriptures show God as a kind and gentle leader. If children cannot obey their parents who they can see physically, how will they obey God who they cannot see. The Bible is filled with examples of gentleness, both from God and from Jesus. If you are looking for a more in-depth gentleness bible study, there are many bible study tools and bible dictionaries to help you. Resentfulness and divisiveness. A few years ago, Robert Ringer wrote two best-selling books that even encouraged people to be aggressive in the dog-eat-dog business world. considerateness.5 The Interpreter's Bible says it is the opposite of hubris, the Greek word for haughty, boastful inso-lence.6 To try to understand gentleness further, let us go through the passages in the Bible where the Greek word prautes is used. He was said to have been cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer. The Greek word describes someone who has power but chooses not to use it harshly or selfishly. We will be kind, patient, and humble. It requires great strength and self-control. Always be humble andgentle. Photo credit: Getty Images/Oleksandr Yakoniuk. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. - God Bless Greg & Darlene, Jesus Leadership Training 13854 Nantucket Ave Pickerington, Ohio, 43147 740-400-1230 ggaines1@insight.rr.com, https://www.facebook.com/Jesusleadershiptraining, What the Bible says on Forgiveness | PDF| Forgive |, 11 Bible Stories about Patience | Bible | Patience, What Does the Bible say About Agape Love | Bible | Agape, What Does the Bible say About the Beatitudes | Jesus | Bible, What Does the Bible say About Archangels | Verses |, What Does the Bible say Love is Not | Love | Verses | PDF |, 29 Purpose Filled Most Encouraging Verses in the Bible |, What Does the Bible Say God Looks Like | Bible Verses | PDF, What Does the Bible Say is the Unforgivable Sin | Blasphemy, 7 King David Characteristics in the Bible | Old Testament |. (Psalm 37:37) People of the world resolve conflict mostly by political power, forced conformity, or even brute force. The LORD recently spoke to me about how harsh I can be. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. It was a failure, and he tore up a good deal of potential evidence. A witness to Christian truth is the more effective for being made "with gentleness and respect, " especially toward a hostile or an unbelieving listener ( 2 Tim 2:25 ; 1 Peter 3:15 ). Proverbs indicates that gentle words turn away wrath and are a tree of life (Proverbs 15:1,4). The opposite of peace is not war, it's fear. So, what does gentleness mean? We will see that gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3','ezslot_1',624,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3-0'); Gentleness is often seen as a virtue, and it is praised throughout history. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics. They are often areas where we carry deep wounds and trauma from our past. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Gentleness remembers that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and we are all trying to find our way through this ungentle world. Your email address will not be published. God wants children to learn obedience to Him through their parents. "Entry for 'GENTLENESS'". The Bible says that gentleness is "not soon angry." (1 Cor. Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). A. It takes a strong person to be truly gentle. He was a rough man by trade, but when it came to leading men to Christ, he employed great gentleness. This means that when we see someone in need, we can no longer ignore them or pass them off as someone elses problem. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? Unfortunately, sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we can become more focused on getting things done than on being kind to the ones we love. They also tend to have better relationships with others. Is it not fitting then for believers to exude this same characteristic? Gentleness is feeling this way about other human beings. unkindness. What is the definition of gentleness? This means that when gentleness exists in your life, its because God has planted it there. The Bible says that gentleness is not soon angry. (1 Cor. Its a way of dealing with people, yourself, and God. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. Church leaders are admonished to be "not violent but gentle" toward persons under their care ( 1 Tim 3:3 ); it is a quality they are avidly to pursue ( 1 Tim 6:11 ). 11 Points: How Did Aaron Die in the Bible? Just like how Jesus was gentle with the woman in this story, God is gentle with us. Through Christ we have been given everything we need for life and godliness. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is gentleness? Being gentle makes others more willing to listen to you. But for me, it was quite revelatory. We are to exercise our spiritual strength in love. Jesus teaches us, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Job's counsels were well received, because he spoke them gently ( Job 29:22 ). Your email address will not be published. I use sarcasm and snap back at my childrens remarks. In the Old Testament, gentleness is illustrated in the bible as a stream or river (Isaiah 8:6) and also to a shepherd caring for his flock of lambs (Isaiah 40:11). The Spirit-Filled Life: Discovering the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit by Charles Stanley. It can also mean mildness and softness. We should be kind and merciful to others even when they mistreat us or do wrong things to us (Luke 6:35; Romans 12:18-19; 1 Peter 3:8). Christ himself was a model of gentleness, and he calls us to follow his example. It can only tell us what we should not do and why its wrong. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Online Christian Articles and Information Hub. The one who is truly wise and who has received the implanted word will be marked by gentleness. I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. When Jesus said Blessed are the meek, He was not talking about people who are doormats or pushovers. These verses can be applied to any relationship or interaction with have with others. Gentleness is when the stronger restrain their strength for the sake of the weaker. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. opposite of gentleness in the bible. Sharpness, coldness, or evil. Jesus has been relentlessly showing me that my character IN HIM is gentleness & self-control. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. The Old Testament. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. Teach Them Obedience. So let us always be gentle! Some of these people include Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. Im too self-centered to stop and kiss my childs scraped knee. Check Out Amazon Educational Resources on The Spirit of Gentleness. brutality. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others. It is related to another Greek word often used in the New Testament, (tapeinophrosyne), which speaks of humility or lowliness of mind. You and those around you reap many benefits by prioritizing gentleness. In a world that can often be harsh and violent, the ability to show gentleness is a true strength. It Yields good fruits in the gentleness of christ by a gentle spirit and a gentle answer. Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. It is important to Christians because it is important to God. 5:16, 22-23) . "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, " exhorts Paul ( Eph 4:2 ). Proud member We can ask Him to reveal ways we can show gentleness to others so that we may reflect His character. This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. This is what made him different from all other religious leaders of his time and it is one of the things that continues to make him loved and admired by so many people today. In the OT its often translated humbleas in Psalm 24:9, 33:3, 75:10, 146:6, and 149:4. opposite of gentleness in the biblehavelock wool australia. The Pharisees told Jesus that the Law of Moses commanded them to stone such a woman, to which Jesus responds, Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:7). Sometimes gentleness is used interchangeably with "meekness" in the Bible. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1). However, God calls us to a higher standard. To understand what gentleness looks like in practice, lets look at some examples from scripture: Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Another pair of opposites in the Bible is innocence and guilt. This means that when gentleness exists in your life, its because God has planted it there. But the more I study, the more I find that gentleness is one of the chief Christian virtues. And it is to those who are gentle and meek who will inherit the earththe gentle are the ones who receive Gods rescue. In Galatians it is a mark of being led by the Spirit and it is shown as an example of walking in step with the Spirit in Galatians 6:1. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is peace? These individuals were known for their kindness, care, and compassion for others. Your email address will not be published. Ask God to help you see others the way He sees them as precious children made in His image. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. I hope you enjoy and come back often. attentiveness patience responsiveness tolerance willingness generosity personableness tenderness softness flexibility tenderheartedness niceness geniality understanding warmth amiability affability amiableness graciousness pleasantness kindliness benignity humaneness agreeability mercifulness manners kindheartedness thoughtfulness benevolence Thank God for His forgiveness and grace extended to you, no matter how much you may deserve it.. Be encouraged that He will help you extend that same grace to others, even when its difficult. You can also check out these gentle parenting bible study discussion guides.This post was written by guest blogger Meaghan Jackson ofGentle Parenting Coaching. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. Paul showed kindness and gentleness toward those who persecuted him (see Acts 23). Gentleness is an important quality for Christians to develop if they want to be effective in spreading Gods Word and helping others come closer to Christ. To be gentle means showing love and care for others in how you act and speak. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. There are many benefits to being gentle. In the New Testament epieikeia ("fairness," "moderation," in Acts 24:4 translated "clemency") is in 2Corinthians 10:1 translated "gentleness," "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Macc 2:22 "favour," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"); chrestotes, "kindness," "usefulness," is translated "gentleness" in Galatians 5:22 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "kindness"; chrestos is the word translated "kind" (to the unthankful and evil, Luke 6:35), and chrestotes seems to carry in it a similar idea of active kindness. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. Finding healing in those wounds can often help us to respond with gentleness instead of harshness. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. As directed toward God, meekness and humility require the following: I. James contrasts gentleness with filthiness and rampant wickedness. It is the mark of being one of wisdom. Salem Media Group. And God in Christ is exemplified by the gentleness with which he labored among others. But gentleness is also opposed to lazy apathy and insensitivity. 3. Our research shows that gentleness is the most overlooked fruit of the Spirit, and not by a little. A gentle heart comes from having love for others. It is used similarly to prautesbut is more of an opposite of violence. About 5 years ago, Robert Ringer wrote the book Looking Out For Number One. In the Bible, gentleness is also called meekness, and it is a prominent virtue in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Study to show thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15). We may not realize it, but we are graced a tremendous amount of power. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the LXX, the word prautes appears 12 times, and 11 times in the New Testament. The Oxford Dictionary defines gentleness as, "the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered." Kindness is literally a part of gentleness; the two are intertwined, and therefore when one is portrayed, so is the other. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered, Opposite of civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry, Opposite of the sum of all attributes that are feminine or convey womanhood, Opposite of sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others, Many of the world's ills can be traced back to society's general, Opposite of the quality of abiding by strong moral principles, Opposite of the state, act, or fact of being calm and composed, Opposite of the class of people having an aristocratic status. The world is full of harshness and rudeness. In the New Testament Jesus comes as the perfect example of being gentle and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29). Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. That is having peace with others. Pray for God to help you forgive those who have hurt you. I am not affectionate, and I fail to give loving hugs. Notice especially controlled strength. Gentleness is power under control. Is it? Jesus had it: " I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls " ( Matthew 11:29, ESV). God provides many examples of gentleness in the bible, Jesus himself being the best model. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is faithfulness? The current search on Oak Island is slow and methodical. In the Greek written long before the NT came about, the noun meant "gentleness, mild friendliness" (DNTT). In doing so we will win over those who hear us. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Verse 2, "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.". Some view being gentle as weak. Gentleness doesn't come naturally. I'm too self-centered to stop and kiss my child's scraped knee. Required fields are marked *. The Bible has a lot to say about gentleness. It seems to be synonymous with being a good person. I'm Christina, a mom of three who is passionate about helping Christian parents and caregivers tend to their children with the full character of Jesus, including his gentleness. Copyrights 2021 Gentle Christian Parenting. Speak respectfully to everyone. Honestly, a change in our worldview/theology would do a great deal of work here as well. What is gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 2:20. Colossians 3:20 (esv). It is the ability to be kind and loving even in the face of adversity. What does it look like to be gentle? It is a trait that is godly, and as His children God expects us to become gentle, as He is. hardness. It is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit by good work and a gentle tongue. When we receive a . Remembering the end of the story can be helpful as well. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. What Does the Bible say about Vegetarianism vs Meat eating | Eat Meat in the Bible, 9 Examples of Gentleness in the Bible | Gentle, The Fruit of Gentleness in the New Testament, The Power of Gentleness in Leading men To Christ, The Power of Gentleness with our Children, Final Thoughts Examples of Gentleness in the Bible, 140622eng-gotfruitseriespart5-gentlenessbyjocelyntan-140622233213-phpapp01, Use Google Church Grant For Your Church $10,000 / Month - God Bless Steve, Stuck on Sermon / Need Class Ideas / Outlines / Ask Ja, Copyright 1920-2023 Jesus Leadership Training. Jesus was gentle in his interactions with people when he preached about love or healed someone who was sick (see Matthew 9). Note that the Catholic church includes a few additional fruits as part of tradition, listing 12: Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To have gentleness is to have a gentle spirit or nature about you. It is a positive trait that can help you improve your relationships with others and even yourself. Gentle words wield great power ( Prov 15:1 ; 25:15 ). Gentleness is not a natural human trait it requires humility and self-control, two things that only come from God. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. We may thinkthat those who are harsh will get things done, but we have to look at the fruit. Against such things there is no law. It can be described with one word from the Book of Books. This is because gentleness doesn't come very naturally to me. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. Gentleness is getting something done. Antonyms: drunkenness, excess, gluttony, greed, intemperance, intoxication, reveling, revelry, self-indulgence, sensuality, wantonness Synonyms: abstemiousness, abstinence, continence, fasting, frugality, moderation, self-denial, self-restraint, sobriety, temperance Preposition: The negative side of virtue is abstinence from vice. Gentleness is an important virtue because it makes the world a better place. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. Knowing themselves to be subject to weakness, they can more readily deal gently with the ignorant and the erring. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. In Matthew 11:29, Christ said, " Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (emphasis added throughout). To really understand this word, think of a powerful animal that is brought under control. 5. We do this whenever we feel afraid of the future. When a Christian leader falls, it is almost always due to a lack of self-control and personal discipline. Beauty and Ugliness Beauty and ugliness are . We learn to make their aims our aims. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matt. We need His help to be gentle! Developing Christian Gentleness is a sermon from Galatians 5:22-23 about the six ways that the Holy Spirit helps a Christian learn to be gentle. Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. Bible Verses About Protecting The Environment, Bible Verses About Protecting The Innocent, Bible Verses About Protecting The Vulnerable, Bible Verses About Pretending To Be Someone Else, Bible Verses About Proclaiming The Word Of God, Bible Verses About Praying For Lost Souls, Bible Verses About Premarital Relationships, Bible Verses About Practicing What You Preach, Bible Verses About Praising God In Hard Times, Bible Verses About Praising God With Music, Bible Verses About Poverty And Homelessness, Bible Verses About Power In The Name Of Jesus, Bible Verses About Practice Makes Perfect, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days KJV, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days, Bible Verses About Physical Pain And Healing. We need His help to be gentle! That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. Toughness and controlled anger in a just cause are not the opposite of gentleness. When we follow Gods example of gentleness, we are displaying the character of Christ to a lost and dying world. For some, this might be a no-brainer. When we think about gentleness, we often think about it as a weakness. Gentleness is one of the most important virtues in the Bible. Gentleness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com) For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement. God wants us to be gentle to others. 889 opposites of gentleness- words and phrases with opposite meaning. We like to think that if Jesus were on earth today, hed be carrying around a whip. He was always willing to forgive those who had sinned against him and he always treated others with respect, no matter who they were. Throughout history, there have been many gentle people who have made a difference in the world. The apostle Paul stated that "a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be . But the more we come to know the God who holds our future, as well as where God is taking us, the less prone we will be to carry around a harsh and bitter spirit within our hearts. 8. Both qualities come from God and both are fruits of His Spirit at work in our lives. We need to be intentional about showing our spouse gentleness. Gentleness [N] Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. But His grace is sufficient for us, right!? Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. . We're more likely to listen and understand others when we're gentle. It requires great strength and self-control. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. Do you ever find yourself thinking this way? Right here on Churchgist, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on examples of gentleness in the bible,meaning of gentleness, and so much more. Your email address will not be published. Not only does it mean being kind to people who are kind to you, but also it means being kind even when someone isnt nice back! When we are full of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be seen in our lives. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. We Must Recognize Our Sinfulness and Our Dependence On God. One definition comes from Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness. Another translation says, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering. The word for gentleness here means strength under control or power working itself out in love. Beginning and End God has neither beginning nor end. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take a moment to ask God for his gentleness, and then extend that same grace to those around you. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. Again, the goal is always the unity of the Spirit; that is the demonstrated testimony of transforming gospel power. In the New Testament it is the translation of epios, "mild," "gentle" (1Thessalonians 2:7; 2Timothy 2:24), and of epieikes, "fitting" "proper," etc. But thats not what the Bible talks about when it talks about gentleness. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Its not a weakness, but a strength. I know some people who have a lot of gentleness.