FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT—GENTLENESS

It was the day of my traditional wedding. The morning was tightly packed with make-up appointments, church rehearsal, and last minute errands. Finally arriving at the venue, one by one friends and family started piling in. Relaxed and chatting amongst themselves they bounced between getting their traditional clothes put on or simply resting along the bar. In each room I found myself in, my cousin Destinee, was somewhere close by asking me what I needed or taking something out of my hand. A gentle reminder to breathe, to relax, to unload on her because she was willing to help. The burden of food preparations and traveling was carried in my Aunt Kim’s tone and attitude. Before I could bully myself into another self-blaming thought about asking for too much or skipping the makeup appointment to bring the food myself, Destinee grabbed my hand along with my Aunt Shirley’s and led us in a prayer. It was gentle reminder to keep focus on the meaning of the day. From that moment until the end of the weekend Destinee carried a gentleness with her that prompted me to look to Jesus for strength when I was annoyed, for calmness when I was overwhelmed, and for joy when the stress of others managed to fall my way. Gentleness slows. Gentleness moves. Gentleness speaks in a tender way that leads me to Christ and causes me to reflect on how I handle others.

GENTLENESS embodies a strength that causes a lasting impact and prompts a lasting change.

One biblical definition for gentleness reads as a sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. In other words, gentleness originates from, develops from, and is based on strength. A slow, thoughtful response that edifies Christ and is interwoven with love takes a strength that a curt tone, harsh and quick words, could never embody. So, before you check, read, or clock anything or anybody ask yourself about the impact you want to have and the change you are trying to make in the situation.

In John 8:1-11, teachers of religious law and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who had been found committing adultery. In their eyes, her deserved punishment was stoning and they demanded and prompted Jesus to tell them what her fate should be. In verse 7 he states, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”.

One by one each of her accusers leaves until it is only her and Jesus. He knew, as she knew, that adultery was a sin and according to religious law she would be stoned. But, instead of telling her that, He told her that He doesn’t accuse or condemn her, but to go and sin no more. Even in His response to the Pharisees who had ill-intent and sour motives towards Him, He remained gentle. If it was me, I would have sent my legion of angels to turn them to dust, but Jesus remained in His strength and responded in love to everyone regardless of intent or offense against Him.

gentleness is not a sign of weakness or passivity but is evidence of your sanctification in christ

In what we choose to identify ourselves with and through, we have to ask ourselves is this Christ or is this me? Are my attitudes and responses to others and to situations based in Christ or the world? Because, remember, there is no middle. There is no gray. He spits out the lukewarm. He reminds us that we can’t serve two masters. There is lightness or darkness. Any part of you that you don’t allow to be refined by Christ is an unlocked door for attacks, for sin, for darkness to reign over you and your choices.

the quality of our fruit informs who and where we are planted

As a once decieved Christian who struggled with playing it in the middle for too long, I have since learned that the Word of God is true whether I submit, obey, or agree with it. To declare Jesus with my lips but pry His hands off of my heart and life is a disservice to me and to those who don’t know Him yet. Christians, believers, you and I can be vessels that God uses to show His face to people that need Him, to people that will die and are dying without Him. To rob Him and others of their moment with the God we claim to know based on pride or ego or “just being that way” makes a mockery of what He has done for us and continues to do for us daily.

So, bear the sweetest fruit by being submitted daily to the God who created each of us in love and for His glory.