Power in Gentleness

The attitudes and words that are prevalent in today’s world as well as in New Testament biblical days reflect harshness, forcefulness, unforgiveness and strength with little to no flexibility.  Truthfulness is marginalized if a point needs to be made.  Civility, kindness, humility, and gentleness seemingly show weaknesses.  The Biblical narrative is very different than that of the world.  For example, there is great “power in gentleness”.  The world would laugh at this statement.

Below, the Bible speaks for itself building the case for “power in gentleness”:

Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Gentleness has the power to turn back wrath.

Galatians 6:1, Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.  Gentleness has the power to restore sinful, hurting people.

Proverbs 25:15, Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.Harshness, inflexibility, forcefulness, and unruliness are broken by gentleness.

Ephesians 4:2, Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Gentleness is foundational to bearing with others especially the ones closest to you.  Why?  Gentleness is not reactionary but is responsive.

Philippians 4:5, Let your gentleness be evident to all.  If we want to change our world, we should not be afraid to make our gentleness evident to all.  It is not a weakness but is accepting and forgiving, the very attitudes that can impact people around you.

Matthew 11:29, 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.  Only this once does Jesus talk about Himself.  He speaks to who He is at the core…for I am gentle and humble in heart.  Because of that, folks can come to Him and “find rest for their souls.”

1 Timothy 3:2,3, Now the overseer is…not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome.  The leaders of our churches must not be violent or quarrelsome but gentle.  Gentleness quells the harshest storms and quarrels and facilitates peace.

1 Timothy 6:11, But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue…gentleness.  Flee from the ways of the world and what a man is supposed to look like and pursue gentleness

1 Peter 3:15, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.  When someone ask you a question about your faith in Christ, how do you answer?  Often, our answers are proudful with undertones of judgment, condescension, and even condemnation especially in our own households.  The Bible states to always answer gently which is accepting and caring.

Gentleness is power and strength harnessed and controlled by God.  Once a man becomes obedient to God these forceful traits are channeled and expressed in gentleness.  Gentleness releases the restoring power of God.  It is not selfish but edifying, accepting, and healing.  The deepest of issues and relationships can be restored by gentleness.  There is great power in gentleness.