Gentleness

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Gentleness  
A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. 
The Lord is near.

Gentleness is one of the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galations five. It is something that must grow in our life. It is not automatically in our life just because we are a believer. All of the fruit listed there have to be exercised and cultivated by faith and practice in order to grow and be evident in our life.
In Colossians 3:12 it is one of the things as God’s chosen people we are to clothe ourselves. Which tells me we have a choice to put it on or not. In 1 Peter 3:4 Women are instructed to be more concerned with their inner beauty. It says “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in Gods sight.” And not to let you guys off the hook. Paul appeals to the people he is writing in 2 Corinthians 10:1 by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Here in the selected verse above we are to let our gentleness be evident to all. In the list of fruit of the Spirit I think gentleness gets over shadowed by patience and some of the others. I admit its not one that I consciously think about very often. Gentleness comes from knowing the power in which you walk as a believer. It is not the position of door mat to be walked on. It is power under control. It is demonstrated in not being to good or to high and mighty to do a humble task.

I read somewhere that In the mind of Aristotle gentleness was half way between excessive anger and indifference. I know for some the struggle is to take off anger and choose to put on gentleness. I think for me it is more a battle with indifference which I have too often wrapped myself to avoid being hurt. Wherever you happen to be on that scale of extremes it is pretty clear from this and others that when we have a choice we should pick gentleness. According to 1 Peter 3:4 It is of great worth to God.

Gentleness reminds me of the Lion Aslan in the stories by C.S. Lewis. He was powerful and wild yet he was gentle and in control of his mighty power. Back again to 2 Corinthians 10: 4 we are told, “The weapons we fight with are not of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. Perhaps gentleness in the hand of a warrior is what stays his sword and allows for mercy. In our own case we deserve death and punishment for our sins. It is Christ who stands up for us and takes that which we deserve.  He gives those who choose to accept his great gift, in the place of wrath and judgement, he gives us gentleness, and kindness that lead us to repentance and so much more.

Things to Ponder:
What will you clothe yourself in today? Anger, Gentleness or Indifference?

What are some ways you can express gentleness in your daily life?
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Everyday I am faced with choices of what I will allow to grow in my life. Today I choose gentleness over anger or indifference. Please help me and give me opportunities that allow this fruit to grow and become more evident in my life.  You, who are all powerful treat me with gentleness daily. I want to be more like you as I walk in your power, strenght and authoirty. Help me to exercise gentleness.
By faith I now put on the garment of gentleness.