unkindness. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Gentleness remembers that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and we are all trying to find our way through this ungentle world. God is gentle with us, and we are called to be gentle with others. Gentleness is a virtue that is described in the Bible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. Gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus is explaining why we should embrace His way of life. Notice especially controlled strength. Gentleness is power under control. Would you rather be around someone who is marked by a gentle spirit or one who is harsh, brutish, critical, and aggressive? Gentleness is an important virtue because it makes the world a better place. Its the opposite of harshness, and it means that we dont try to force our beliefs or ideas on others. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. It is used similarly to prautesbut is more of an opposite of violence. Crucify ego, self-will, and pride. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others. Christ himself was a model of gentleness, and he calls us to follow his example. This means that when we see someone in need, we can no longer ignore them or pass them off as someone elses problem. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. Always be humble andgentle. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. Part I: Meekness and Humility Toward God In the Bible, meekness is primarily emphasized as submissiveness toward God (rather than toward men). Jesus was also known for his gentleness. Your email address will not be published. 11 Points: How Did Aaron Die in the Bible? Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. I have been helped in the area of gentleness, Youre welcome glad to hear its helpful! Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would like to be treated. The opposite of gentleness is anger, a desire for revenge, and self-importance. The apostle Paul wrote, And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8) leading men to Christ is not always easy. But for me, it was quite revelatory. So much of the peace and harmony we seek is directly affected by how we treat others. 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In Matthew 11:29 Jesus takes upon himself this descriptor: I am gentle and lowly in heart., And when Jesus tells us what animates him most deeply, what is most true of himwhen he exposes the innermost recesses of his beingwhat we find there is: gentle and lowly. (Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 19). Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered brutality unkindness hardness harshness imperviousness roughness cruelty savagery inhumanity barbarity viciousness atrocity sadism heartlessness ruthlessness barbarousness savageness fiendishness bestiality atrociousness barbarism brutishness mercilessness wickedness bloodthirstiness of Listen to this story in the Bible about a not-very-gentle king: Tell story from 1 Kings 12:1-15. But His grace is sufficient for us, right!? When we think of the life of Jesus, we often think of his miracles and his teachings. There is a secondary word, epieikes, which refers to being gentle, gracious, and forbearing. Gentleness is not a natural human trait it requires humility and self-control, two things that only come from God. The apostle Paul wrote that gentleness was one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is self-control. As you seek to grow more gentle, focusing on or memorizing these verses will strengthen you and help you be more successful. The apostle Paul stated that "a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be . Watch your tone so that what you have to say will be well received. Its the opposite of anger and harshness. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be seen in our lives. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. The gentleness of Jesus is a subject that has been much talked about over the years. But the opposite is true. Of all the character traits which could have been part of the fruit of the Spirit, why is gentleness in that list? W. Barclay, New Testament Words, pp. Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on examples of gentleness in the bible, goodness definition bible, bible characters who showed gentleness, and so much more. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 4. 5:22). Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Bibliography. II Corinthians 10:1 refers to Christ's meekness ( prautes) and gentleness ( epieikeia) as separate virtues. It is related to another Greek word often used in the New Testament, (tapeinophrosyne), which speaks of humility or lowliness of mind. This means that we are to be gentle with others, even when they have wronged us. Beauty and Ugliness Beauty and ugliness are . It can be described with one word from the Book of Books. He was talking about people who have mastered themselves their appetites, their passions, and their pride so that they can act with wisdom and self-control instead of being controlled by their emotions. . Our natural response is anger and retaliation. That word is gentleness. But thats ignorant of Roman history and the state of corruption within the religious leaders in his day. It is the opposite of being harsh with others. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is gentleness? Consider what would happen if the omnipotent God was characterized by harshness with his creatures made of dust. He supposed that the prisoners had escaped. Gentleness evidences itself in a willingness to yield, reminiscent of a lamb being led to slaughter ( Jer 11:19 ; cf. GENTLENESS. In this blog post, we will explore a few examples of gentleness from the Bible. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is love? Gentle words wield great power ( Prov 15:1 ; 25:15 ). 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. Gentleness has been a topic of discussion since the beginning of time. When Adam and Eve started out in the Garden of Eden, they had peace with God. Meekness however may be distinguished from gentleness in that meekness is the way one regards oneself, and is therefore described in the Scriptures as 'lowliness of mind.' (e.g. 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. Copyrights 2021 Gentle Christian Parenting. Through prayer, we can ask God to give us a spirit of gentleness and take away any feelings of self-righteousness. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is peace? 5. James contrasts gentleness with filthiness and rampant wickedness. It is the mark of being one of wisdom. 8. This sandbox wisdom happens to be in agreement with the Bible. This means that when gentleness exists in your life, its because God has planted it there. It is not weakness, nor does it mean that we should never stand up for ourselves. 2. 11:28-30 ) It's no accident that these words have been greatly celebrated. This is why someone like Coco Chanel could say that gentleness doesnt get things done. Gentleness is more than just being nice and kind and caring towards others; its actually the quality of God Himself who has been poured out into our hearts by His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). Ephesians 4:1-2. Gentleness is more than just being nice and kind and caring towards others; its actually the quality of God Himself who has been poured out into our hearts by His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. It is a positive trait that can help you improve your relationships with others and even yourself. Its hard to extend grace when someone has offended us. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; Galatians 5:22-23. In doing so, we reflect the character of our Heavenly Father and demonstrate his love to the world. Christlikeness begins with a willingness to forgive and move forward. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Fashion designer Coco Chanel once remarked, gentleness doesnt get work done unless you happen to be a hen laying eggs., Sadly, this dismissal of gentleness is not reserved for the world. Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. Through Christ we have been given everything we need for life and godliness. The rules of life will be changed, bent in the direction of gentleness and peace, not just any . Our research shows that gentleness is the most overlooked fruit of the Spirit, and not by a little. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. He is gentle with you. Wives should seek "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" ( 1 Peter 3:4 ). Galatians 5 . This is because gentleness doesn't come very naturally to me. However, God calls us to a higher standard. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Often our harshness comes from a place of fear. Fruit of The Spirit - 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. Remembering the end of the story can be helpful as well. And it is to those who are gentle and meek who will inherit the earththe gentle are the ones who receive Gods rescue. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will have the fruit of gentleness in our lives. He can exercise each office concurrently while at the same time not neglecting any of the other attributes . The Bible is filled with examples of gentleness, both from God and from Jesus. Doesnt gentleness keep us from getting things done? There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. You could also have the children play the role . We grow in gentleness by surrounding ourselves with gentle people. Gentleness is a marker of power used and handled properly. You and those around you reap many benefits by prioritizing gentleness. we will do quite the opposite and will experience a SUPERNATURAL life filled with fruit that the Holy Spirit . 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. It does not mean weakness, per se. We take those $ and give them to developing our Children's Programs. So he drew his sword and was about to kill himself (Acts 16:27) But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here. (Acts 16:28) And he called for lights and rushed in and fell down before Paul and Silas (Acts 16:29-30a) Then he took them both out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30b). 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. Philippians 2:3). According to that definition, one could say that gentleness isnt doing, it is being done to. Such an invitation, from such a person, is precious beyond words. and pushy. In fact, the Bible tells us that we are to follow Gods example of gentleness (Ephesians 5:1). 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 ). But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The qualities to which gentleness is joined elucidate its setting and character. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We're also more likely to receive blessings from God. The picture would be exponentially worse than a very small child trying to hold a kitten, not wielding his power correctly and doing irreparable harm to the small animal. His consolations are spoken gently ( Job 15:11 ). It is important to Christians because it is important to God. 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. And that is exactly what this world needs to see in us instead of harsh words, gentle words showing us as gentle people. And once again the Lord is working for their rescue. That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. The apostle Paul stated that "a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be . We live in a broken world, and it can be easy to become jaded and hardened by the pain we see around us. He cares tenderly for the flock under his care, and "gently leads those that have young" ( Isa 40:11 ). I justified it as being 64 and still having children at home (Intellectually challenged). What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? As Yahweh's representative, the messianic king comes in humility and gentleness ( Zec 9:9 ). This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! A passage from the Bible is even more powerful if we read what comes before it: at the end of chapter ten, the prophet Isaiah says that God is going to cut down all the trees, and that's why there's "a stump" when this passage begins. alain picard wife / ap calculus bc multiple choice / opposite of gentleness in the bible. Scripture says for a woman to have that internal heart attitude of meekness or gentleness and a quiet spirit gives her a beauty that is imperishable. The opposite of gentleness might be rudeness, being mean, or not considering other people's feelings. And does it accomplish things? Gentleness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com) 2 Corinthians 10:1 uses the meekness and gentleness (kindness) of Christ as an example for his own pattern. Gentleness is a requisite for a servant of God, particularly one in a responsible position of oversight. It requires humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, kind behavior towards others. 5 Jun. Jesus was gentle in his interactions with people when he preached about love or healed someone who was sick (see Matthew 9). It can only tell us what we should not do and why its wrong. 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. It doesnt have to be an extravagant gesture, something as simple as offering to rub their tired feet or making them a cup of tea when you see them looking frazzled can make such a difference. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. Its a quality of character. The supreme exemplar of gentleness is Israel's God. But more specifically we grow in gentleness by practicing it. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Jesus' words mirror those spoken by David: Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. The person who is "cool with everything," who is never disagreeable, who always compliments and never criticizes, is not necessarily gentle. Matthew 18:21-35. God wants children to learn obedience to Him through their parents. We need His help to be gentle! Honestly, a change in our worldview/theology would do a great deal of work here as well. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. Its not a weakness, but a strength. It is important to have an accurate perception of what gentleness is. Fighting destroys relationships and takes so much time to repair. Click here to read more verses about gentleness. Be considerate of others feelings and needs. Its a way of life. Gentleness Defined Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. Gentleness antonyms What is the opposite word for Gentleness? See 4236 (praotes).. For the believer, meekness (4240 /prats, "gentle-force") begins with the Lord's inspiration and finishes by His direction and . 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.". One example is found in 1 Peter 3:4-5: But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious., Another example is found in Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.. Why Gentleness Is So Important As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. (Psalm 37:37) People of the world resolve conflict mostly by political power, forced conformity, or even brute force. jen'-t'-l-nes (`anah; epieikeia, chrestotes): In 2Samuel 22:36 `anah, "to bend low," "to condescend," is translated "gentleness," "Thy gentleness hath made me great," the Revised Version, margin "or condescension"; so also Psalms 18:35, where the word is `anwah "humility," "gentleness," or "condescension." The opposite of gentleness is: Rudeness, manipulation, or disrespect. While many view meekness as a weakness, it is actually strength under control. People should be able to see Christ in us because we are kind and gentle to others, even when they are not to us. This is why this grace is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. We do this whenever we feel afraid of the future. It's a peaceful, calm, and forgiving attitude. Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. Great damage has been done by Christians who have wielded God-given authority for their own ends instead of for the kingdom. These verses can be applied to any relationship or interaction with have with others. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. Click here to show subject links in the text for more information. Do you ever find yourself thinking this way? By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. When we follow Gods example of gentleness, we are displaying the character of Christ to a lost and dying world. Being gentle has a long history in many, but not all cultures. Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselveswith compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance andgentleness (I Timothy 6:11). 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. 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. You can be gentle in him thanks for sharing and encouraging . Is it not fitting then for believers to exude this same characteristic? In the Bible, gentleness is a virtue that many people are encouraged to develop. By his Spirit, Christ cultivates the same quality in his people ( Gal 5:23 ). As our Lord and Master, He is not harsh, overbearing, and oppressive, but gentle in His government. 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. And they bring the gospel of peace with gentleness and love, not harshness. It is necessary, then, that we wield this authority with gentleness. Thank you for this devotion that I will pin, and print and place in my Gentleness devotional. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Against such things there is no law. Gentleness. of brutality. Required fields are marked *. The Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek NT defines it this way: Prautes denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge controlled strength, the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment; the ability to provide a soothing influence on someone who is in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life the word indicates an obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gentle attitude and kind acts toward others, and this often in the face of opposition.. Paul appeals to believers "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" ( 2 Cor 10:1 ). Ask God to help you see others the way He sees them as precious children made in His image. Far from dismissing gentleness, the Scriptures speak of gentleness as the way the kingdom of God "gets things done.". We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. He will still be gentle and lowly in heart. We are to exercise our spiritual strength in love. He was a rough man by trade, but when it came to leading men to Christ, he employed great gentleness. Its a quality that we should all strive to embody, especially in our relationships with others. 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. 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. You canread my full affiliate disclosure here. Some of these people include Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. And how can you use gentleness to improve your relationships with others? The word gentleness in this context comes from the Greek word (prautes), which conveys the concepts of mildness, meekness or softness. Gentleness is when the stronger restrain their strength for the sake of the weaker. 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! But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The power of gentleness should never be underestimated, especially when it comes to raising children. People have been searching for this treasure for hundred of years. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). In Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians the word is used in lists combined with things like humility as virtues and graces. When we think about gentleness, we often think about it as a weakness. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In this verse, Paul makes it clear that gentleness is not something from the Law or from human effort or will power; rather, it comes from Gods grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Here are some steps you can take to learn how to be more gentle with others: 1. Why is it important for Christians to be gentle? Violence, aggression, abuse, or brutality. You will be blessed and rewarded by God when you get to heaven and receive His peace and favor here on earth too. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. It is the opposite of being harsh with others. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" ( Gal 5:22-23 ), a cluster of qualities each of which reinforces and finds expression in the others. Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. In order to be gentle, we must not view ourselves as better than someone else. Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered, or feels the need for revenge. The opposite is "unbridled anger, harshness, brutality, and self-expression." ("Self-expression" is the picture of someone who struts and shows off.) A soft Answer shows us Gods Gentleness and points us toward the tree of life. In the Bible, gentleness is also called meekness, and it is a prominent virtue in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. We see in Jesus a deeper definition of gentleness. In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the LXX, the word prautes appears 12 times, and 11 times in the New Testament. The Bible is full of examples of Gods character, and one of the most prominent traits is His gentleness. Cognate: 4240 prats (compare 4236 /prats, another feminine noun which is also derived from the root pra-, emphasizing the divine origin of the meekness) - meekness ("gentle strength") which expresses power with reserve and gentleness. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Actually, gentleness requires quite a bit of strength and self-control. His manner is not harsh or abrasive. Gentle Christian Parenting is a participant in affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other sites at no extra cost to you. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The Bible is full of examples of gentleness. One of the most important lessons we can teach our children is gentleness. Cruelty and unkindness. How is God gentle? The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is faithfulness? I know some people who have a lot of gentleness. Gentleness comes from a state of humility. We need His help to be gentle! Galatians 2:20. The power of our words can be life-giving and diffuse a tense situation. When we see it this way, we can begin to work toward becoming gentler. The current search on Oak Island is slow and methodical. Its helpful to think about the areas where we are tempted to respond with harshness instead of gentleness. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. It can be difficult to remain gentle when we have been hurt, but it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that nobody is perfect. Welcome to our Family. This means that when we see someone in need, we can no longer ignore them or pass them off as someone elses problem. The one who is truly wise and who has received the implanted word will be marked by gentleness. Typically, those are areas where we are acting in the flesh instead of in the Spirit. That king, now come in the flesh, is "gentle and humble in heart" ( Matt 11:29 ). So when the Messiah came at last, many assumed he was going to be a cultural and political Savior,. 5 Steps to Achieving the Fruit of Gentleness (or Meekness) that Leads to Blessedness. In the OT its often translated humbleas in Psalm 24:9, 33:3, 75:10, 146:6, and 149:4. We are to stand out from the crowd by being different. We may thinkthat those who are harsh will get things done, but we have to look at the fruit. . The biblical concept of gentleness is often misunderstood. It is described as a quiet spirit, will not harm a bruised reed the shield of your salvation. 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. By showing gentleness towards others, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and set an example for others to follow. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? A. When we develop lazy attitudes in some areas, that laziness tends to spread to other areas as well. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? Toughness and controlled anger in a just cause are not the opposite of gentleness. There are many benefits to being gentle. I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. 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.