Gentleness

Galatians 5:16-20 (TNIV)

 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever  you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

 

Luke 10:30-37 (TNIV)

30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

    36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

    37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

       Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Can you think of significant Biblical figures that have modeled gentleness (or meekness as the word is also translated) in their lives?  And as you do, do you ever wonder if the pictures that those words create in our minds are the same pictures that the people who first penned and heard those words thought about?  Just what do we mean by gentleness or meekness?

Curiously, the way we picture the ideas of gentleness and meekness today doesn't quite capture the picture that may well have come to the minds of those who first heard Paul''s words.    For them it carried less the connotation of withdrawal or passivity, and more the idea of a controlled strength - perhaps, in this context, of great power that is shaped by incredible grace.    

But one thing we can say for sure is that what gentleness is, according to this passage in Galatians, is what we can anticipate experiencing when we are in the midst of those whose lives are being cultivated by the Spirit.  

This week, Pastor Issac explores this as it finds expression the story of the Good Samaritan, and invites us to consider what we learn from what we observe there.  If you have not yet heard the sermon, or would like to listen once again, you can click here to access our on-line sermon library.

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When you look at this text through the lenses of "gentleness" as we have been talking about it this week, what new insights can you glean from it?As you reflect on the picture directly below, how do you find gentleness being portrayed there?

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

For Further Reflection . . .

If you would like to explore the idea of gentleness or meekness more fully, click here for a helpful article with additional thoughts and texts to consider.