Biblical Gentleness In Display
TOPIC: BIBLICAL GENTLENESS IN DISPLAY
Read: Galatians 6:1-5
MEMORISE: _Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted_ (Galatians 6:1).
EXPOSITION
The word, gentleness, has taken on negative connotations in our society today. For many people, it suggests one who is spineless and spiritless, one who lacks strength and virility. Gentleness, according to the Bible, is a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil balanced in Spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control. It is a character quality that is equitable, reasonable, forbearing, moderate, fair and considerate. Gentleness is power and strength under control. Is your own strength under control? It involves courtesy and consideration in one’s dealing with others. Gentleness also means carefulness in our approaches to others. By nature, we are children of wrath, but when God lays His hands upon us, He tames us, takes away our harshness and gives us gentle nature.
The quality of gentleness is one of the Kingdom characters we need to influence our society to draw people of the world into the fold (2 Tim. 2:24). This includes true humility that does not consider itself too good or too exalted for humble tasks. Jesus is the perfect role model for us to study and learn from, especially with how He coped with people while He was here on the planet earth. His actions and behaviours towards others should be a major study for us. When He was in serious agony of the cross, He was still praying for His enemies (Luke 23:34). A gentle word or a gentle touch from a particular Christian can really open up door for other persons to receive Jesus and His healing and deliverance power into their lives (Titus 3:1-2).
We cannot but come into situations that bring conflicts with people in our daily lives. Naturally, it is easy for us to react with violence or anger especially if we feel insecure in our positions. But when we trust the Holy Spirit to help us, we can be gentle, whatever conflicts may arise. We cannot counterfeit true gentleness. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit _(Gal. 5:22)._ Once you really start walking in the Holy Spirit with His divine qualities operating and flowing through you, you will really be able to feel and sense when you should handle a certain person or situation with more of a touch of gentleness than with any kind of stern rebuke or condemnation.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Open my heart to the move of the Holy Spirit to possess the quality of gentleness in Jesus’ name.
2. As from today, help me Lord to put my power and strength under control.
3. Lord, help all true Christians to know how to display gentleness among unbelievers where we serve as the light and the salt.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
• The cricket is never blinded by the sand of its burrowing.
• But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" - Luke 10:29
• Every day, do something that will add up to your spiritual build up, no matter how small.
• Unconfessed sin is the platform that satan uses to build his power base.
• Joy swallowers, of my father's house, die, in the name of Jesus.
• The word "World" comes from the Greek word - kosmos {κόσμος}.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What should I do if I cannot decide whom I should be dating?
The Bible does not specifically address this topic, but it does give us insight into what we should seek in a potential spouse. The first, and best, advice is to pray about it. God will give wisdom and guidance if you ask for it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Second Corinthians 6:14 instructs, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” The first question to ask is whether the potential spouse is devoted to God. If he/she is not, that person should not be considered for a potential spouse. On the other hand, just because one follows Christ, that does not make him/her the right choice. Being “equally yoked” can also go deeper than just “Is he/she a Christian?” There are many different beliefs in Christianity, and this should be taken into account when choosing a potential spouse. Consider what marriage would be like with this person. Are your beliefs close enough that you can agree to teach your children the same doctrines? This is of great importance.
For men, it’s important to look at what a Christian wife is supposed to be. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:22-24). Paul tells us that a wife is to be submissive to her husband, out of love. This does not necessarily mean that the girl you are considering a relationship with should submit wholly to you. In dating she is not obligated to. However, she should not have a rebellious spirit, but should submit to the authorities she is under, out of love. She should be willing to be led. Proverbs 31:10-31 tells us what the “wife of noble character” is like. She is hard working, generous and charitable, strong, and wise. You may not be able to find all of these traits in one person, but these are desirable traits and pleasing to God.
Another scripture describing a wife who is pleasing to God is 1 Peter 3:1-4: “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” This tells us that a woman should be pure and living for Christ so that she can win a lost husband over without words. It also indicates that she should not be as concerned about outward appearances as she is about her spiritual life.
For women, there are a few illustrations of what a Christian husband is to be. Although the person you are considering a relationship with is not your husband, you should look for qualities that display this kind of love. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25-27). Is he loving? Is he willing to lead people toward Christ and help them to be holy and blameless? Is he a leader? A man should love God above all else and be willing to help his brothers and sisters in Christ to strive to be holy and pleasing to God. He should be humble, wise, and merciful, just as Christ was. Watch for these qualities in a man, because this is what is pleasing to God.
You will not find a “perfect” person with all of these qualities, but God will let you see if someone you are considering a relationship with is striving to be pleasing to Him. Just as with any other big decision in life, relationships should be treated with caution, wisdom, and handled with discernment and much prayer.
Second Corinthians 6:14 instructs, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” The first question to ask is whether the potential spouse is devoted to God. If he/she is not, that person should not be considered for a potential spouse. On the other hand, just because one follows Christ, that does not make him/her the right choice. Being “equally yoked” can also go deeper than just “Is he/she a Christian?” There are many different beliefs in Christianity, and this should be taken into account when choosing a potential spouse. Consider what marriage would be like with this person. Are your beliefs close enough that you can agree to teach your children the same doctrines? This is of great importance.
For men, it’s important to look at what a Christian wife is supposed to be. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:22-24). Paul tells us that a wife is to be submissive to her husband, out of love. This does not necessarily mean that the girl you are considering a relationship with should submit wholly to you. In dating she is not obligated to. However, she should not have a rebellious spirit, but should submit to the authorities she is under, out of love. She should be willing to be led. Proverbs 31:10-31 tells us what the “wife of noble character” is like. She is hard working, generous and charitable, strong, and wise. You may not be able to find all of these traits in one person, but these are desirable traits and pleasing to God.
Another scripture describing a wife who is pleasing to God is 1 Peter 3:1-4: “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” This tells us that a woman should be pure and living for Christ so that she can win a lost husband over without words. It also indicates that she should not be as concerned about outward appearances as she is about her spiritual life.
For women, there are a few illustrations of what a Christian husband is to be. Although the person you are considering a relationship with is not your husband, you should look for qualities that display this kind of love. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25-27). Is he loving? Is he willing to lead people toward Christ and help them to be holy and blameless? Is he a leader? A man should love God above all else and be willing to help his brothers and sisters in Christ to strive to be holy and pleasing to God. He should be humble, wise, and merciful, just as Christ was. Watch for these qualities in a man, because this is what is pleasing to God.
You will not find a “perfect” person with all of these qualities, but God will let you see if someone you are considering a relationship with is striving to be pleasing to Him. Just as with any other big decision in life, relationships should be treated with caution, wisdom, and handled with discernment and much prayer.
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