April 15 – Gentleness
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – Gentleness
Today we look at the fruit of gentleness. One of the synonyms for this word in the Bible is ‘meekness’, which doesn’t sound particularly attractive does it? Perhaps that’s because it sounds like ‘weakness’. But meekness is not weakness, it is power under perfect control.
Picture a world champion boxer, who gets picked on by somebody, someone who obviously doesn’t know who he is! The boxer could totally annihilate the one picking on him, but instead chooses to deal calmly and reasonably, instead of resorting to exercising his authority in an aggressive manner.
That’s the idea behind meekness: it’s not weakness, but power under control. Or perhaps to put it more accurately: meekness is authority exercised gently.
Think about how counter-cultural this is in our modern society. We are living in an age known as ‘the age of outrage’, a time where it seems everybody is fighting everything, and certainly not in gentle ways. It seems to be all-out aggression without any restraint! Gentleness therefore comes as something so counter-cultural, and therefore so attractive at the same time.
If you think about it, why are people so aggressive, fighting everything so vehemently?
Inevitably the source of our aggression is fear. We’re afraid that if we don’t fight for ourselves then we won’t get anywhere, won’t achieve anything, and won’t be able to claim our slice of the proverbial pie! So we aggressively bulldoze or take by force what we think we need, desperately fighting for our survival.
We also resort to aggressive defense mechanisms whenever we are criticised or challenged in any way. We immediately feel like we have to rise up and angrily defend ourselves.
Now, think about this from the perspective of someone who believes in a Sovereign God. Someone who, through Jesus, is now living under the very rule and reign of that sovereign God.
The picture given us of this God is of a King who is sovereign in His providence for His citizens, sovereign in His protection over His citizens, and astoundingly, physically present with each one of them! This should, if anything at all, give us an immense sense of peace.
This means we don’t have to desperately defend ourselves or fight for what we need, because we trust God our King who fights for us and provides for us.
It is this inner sense of trust that enables gentleness, which is why it’s a fruit of the Spirit! It is something that arises deep within us as the Holy Spirit reminds us of God our loving King who is sovereign over every aspect of our lives.
That’s why Jesus says in Matthew 5:5:
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5
Notice: those that are ‘blessed’, ie who have all they could need, are the meek. They ‘inherit’ the whole earth! They don’t need to take it by force, they inherit it! This settled knowledge fuels our gentleness.
I truly believe that what the world needs to see these days is gentleness in action. It is something so attractive that it will gather attention from the watching world in the most remarkably positive way! That’s what Philippians 2 indicates:
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…”
Philippians 2:14-15
That’s how attractive true gentleness can be! We will shine like bright stars amidst a pretty dark and desperate world.
Questions & Activities for kids
1. Play the banana game:
In a circle, pass a banana (or any other soft fruit) around using only your chins – no hands! If someone drops the banana, start all over again. See how many times you can go around the circle.
Talk about how the banana had to be passed around calmly, carefully and gently. What would happen if we squeezed too hard? Link this to today’s devotion on gentleness, discussing God’s gentleness towards us and how we can show that to others.
2. Resting in Jesus’ gentleness:
At some point today, take some time to rest on a soft couch or fluffy pillow with your child. Read Matthew 11:28-30 to your child:
‘Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Discuss what Jesus meant when he said that he is gentle. How does Jesus give us rest? Discuss how Jesus is a compassionate, gentle and good Shepherd who lovingly gave himself up for us.
3. Make a ‘Gentle Words Jar’:
The Bible tells us that one of the ways we can be gentle (or harsh) is with the words we choose to use. Proverbs 15:1 says ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ Collect soft things (to represent gentle words) and hard things (harsh words) from around the house (this could include cotton wool balls and stones, for example). Drop each of the objects on a sheet of baking paper, and ask your children which of these words they would like spoken to them – gentle or harsh? Next, decorate a ‘Gentle Words Jar’. During the week, let your children fill up the jar with small soft objects (like cotton wool balls) every time they use gentle words. See if you can fill the jar by the end of the week!
