Word Nerd Wednesday - Gentleness

Jamie Lathe joins us for this week’s Word Nerd Wednesday post as we continue our study of fruit of the Spirit with gentleness.

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Gentleness Defined

Gentleness (Gr. praytes) acquiescence to authority and consideration of others

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NET

Can I confess something to you? I’ve never really wanted to be a gentle person. I don’t want to be an obnoxious, overbearing person, but gentleness is often mixed up in my mind with weakness. I think things like a gentle person is a pushover that people can take advantage of. Who wants to be a pushover?

Or, maybe your a loud person who likes to talk. Can’t be gentle when people can hear you clear across the room, right?

What Does Gentleness Imply?

Strong’s concordance that gentleness is “by implication humility.” Gentleness in some versions is also translated as meekness because Greek word, praytes, comes from the root word of meekness. This word emphasizes that an attitude of gentleness is of divine origin (HELPS Word Studies).

In the Old Testament, this root word first simply described someone poor or needy, someone who was a lower level, like a servant. The word grew later to describe someone who viewed themselves rightly as a servant of God and subjected himself or herself to God’s will.

Moses was described by this word, meek. Moses. The guy who went to Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go.” The one who also crushed the ten commandments when he came down off of Sinai and the Israelites were worshipping a calf. Gentle Moses, right? When gentless no longer means “weak,” but “humbly serving God,” then, yes, gentle Moses.

When we began to see it this way, then gentleness suddenly comes with a lot of strength, especially when we look at our Lord Jesus Christ. He humbly put aside his equality with God to come to earth and put on mortal flesh. He lived a perfect life even though he was tempted as we are. Then he followed the Father’s will and subjected himself to death on the cross. He triumphed over death and rose again. Jesus, with all the power and authority of God, stayed on that cross out of a gentleness and humility to what God had willed. If there was anyone who acquiesced to authority and considered others, it’s Jesus.

Practice Gentleness Like Jesus

And, if there’s anyone I want to be like, it’s Jesus.

So, there’s no weakness in gentless. I’m not a pushover if I’m gentle but someone who has chosen to consider others and find my strength in God. Gentleness emanates from a heart that isn’t grasping to pull itself up but knows its place in this world and only wants to glorify and lift up God instead.

Have you also not wanted to be gentle? Or thought it was impossible because you’re kind of a loud person? Well, guess what? You’re off the hook. Not because you can now ignore gentleness, but because it has nothing to do with giving people whatever they want or a decibel level. You’re off the hook from striving to package yourself into what the culture says is gentle.

Instead look at what God says is gentle: acquiescing to Him and considering others. Sounds like the two great commandments (Matt 22:36-40), right?

So, you go do you, just make sure God is in front and you are thinking of others before yourself. True gentleness will follow.

True gentleness follows you when you follow Jesus. #wordnerdwednesday #gentleness #fruitoftheSpirit Click To Tweet

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Meet Jamie

Jamie Lath writes at JamieLath.com (http://jamielath.com/) about waking up to to being a lukewarm, apathetic Christian who thought she was doing okay but was dead inside. She focuses on practicing, not just professing, her faith through her every day life. You can stay connected with Jamie on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jamie.lath/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jamie.lath).

 

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Linking Up With

For more encouragement please join the discussions on these fabulous blog link ups – Suzanne Eller, Faith On Fire, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Grace and Truth, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Soul Survival, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Sitting Among Friends, Testimony Tuesday, Planting Roots, and Fresh Market Friday, Salt and Light, and Becoming Press’s Writer Wednesday, Moments of Hope

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