Fruitful Living

Gentleness

Session 8

Introduction

“Gentleness” (epieikeia) appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Cor 10:1.  The word in Gal 5:23 is “meekness” (prauths) – which also appears in 2 Cor 10:1 (“By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you….”). 

The fruit of the Spirit is really Christ-likeness of character.

Phil 2: 1-11

Gentleness means:

1        Living in submission to God’s will  (James 1: 19 -22)

Examples from the life of Jesus:

His baptism:        Luke 3:21-22

Gethsemane :       Luke 22:39-46 (NB v 42)

2    Living in consideration of others  (Luke 18:15 -17)

Whether they are:

-     strangers :                  John 4; John 8: 1-11

-     authorities:                 Luke 19: 1-10; Luke 7: 1-10

-     fellow believers:                     Gal 6:1; I Cor 4:21

-     not yet Christians:     I Pet 3: 13-16

Gentleness can be devastating:  Prov 25:15

For further thought:

Do I care what God’s will is for my life?

Do I take time to find out?

How do I react when God:

-         allows bad things to happen?

-         when His ideas and mine do not seem in agreement?

Do I care what other people think about me?

How do I react when:

-                     people want to use time I had planned for myself?

-                     someone in authority appears unreasonable?

-                     I come across something I think someone at home, or at work or in the church has done something which seems to be wrong or unjust?

Am I famous for my gentleness?

BACK