THE SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS

By Owen Visagie.

The basic problem we all have is sin, which the Bible describes as the flesh or the lower nature.

Jesus said the things that come out of a man’s heart and mind – which often come out of his mouth as well - are what really make him unclean. The “deeds of the flesh” are normal and continuous behaviour for the unbeliever, and there are three general areas in which these deeds manifest themselves, namely sex, religion and human relations.

While Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus was truly dramatic, God deals with all Christians in a similar way. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit takes up residence in us and we belong to God. Our thoughts, words and actions change dramatically, and different fruits are manifested. We become different on the inside.

If we want to bear more fruit, we need to be receptive to God’s Spirit. We might imagine someone up in a tree picking fruit, and ourselves standing underneath with a basket. If we stand in the wrong place we will miss the fruit as it is thrown down.  It is important to stay close to God!

Jesus was gentle

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29,30). Gentleness, which is a sign of true humility, cannot co-exist with pride. Gentleness is power under God’s control. Jesus knew he had access to infinite, divine power, but that the Kingdom would not be advanced by the sword, but by faith and obedience.

A gentle person is normally quiet, mild-mannered, amiable and free from irritation, never avenging, vindictive or self-defensive.

The story told in Samuel 24, where David resolved not to kill King Saul in the cave where he and his men were hiding, is a biblical example of gentleness. Though David had human (fleshly) justification to kill Saul, he “heaped coals of fire upon his head,” by choosing the path of moderation. He left vengeance to God.

Moses realised he had no power of himself, yet he fearlessly confronted Pharoah, the Isrealites, and even God, when he asked forgiveness for the people.

Can a Christian display anger?

Why was Jesus angry when he entered the temple area and threw out the merchants and overturned the tables of the moneylenders? Because God’s house, which should have been called a house of prayer, had been made into a den of thieves. We may display righteous anger when God is maligned or when others are hurt. But if our ego is bruised, or we fail to win an argument, then we display selfish anger. Proverbs 16:32 tells us “Better a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”

We need to exercise anger management so that we build, not destroy relationships. The two opposite responses of either exploding ( e.g.road  rage), or nurturing the anger and resentment, have negative effects. The expending of physical energy (running, spending time in the gym, or even going for a long walk), often diffuses the anger, and allows us to cool down and think the situation through. Rational reaction becomes much easier, and the gentle approach lies within our reach.

Gentle people

• respond willingly to God’s word, no matter what the requirements or consequences (1 Timothy 6:11).
• humbly accept the salvation message. It takes a heart of gentleness to be able to accept challenging reflections without defending oneself or punishing the messenger (Matthew 11:29).
• are peacemakers, readily forgiving and helping to restore a sinning brother (Galatians 6:1)
• have a right attitude to the unsaved, and long for their salvation. (Philippians 4:5).

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