Embracing Gentleness: Power Under Control in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Gentleness as Power Under Control

Gentleness is often misunderstood as weakness, but it is actually power under control. This concept is beautifully illustrated through the Greek word "prautes," which carries the idea of humility. Gentleness involves using our strength and authority in a humble and controlled manner. It is about responding to situations and people with a calm and composed demeanor, even when we have the power to do otherwise. Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a gentle answer turns away wrath, emphasizing the importance of gentleness in our speech and interactions. By practicing gentleness, we can defuse conflicts and create a more peaceful environment around us.

In our daily lives, we encounter numerous situations where we can choose to respond with gentleness or with harshness. Whether it's a disagreement with a colleague, a misunderstanding with a friend, or a challenging moment with a family member, choosing gentleness can make a significant difference. It requires us to be mindful of our words and actions, ensuring that they reflect humility and self-control. As we strive to embody gentleness, we become more like Jesus, who demonstrated this fruit of the Spirit in every aspect of His life. [28:15]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you reacted with harshness or anger. How could you have responded with gentleness instead? What steps can you take to practice gentleness in similar situations in the future?

Day 2: Gentleness in Communication

Our speech is a primary indicator of gentleness. Proverbs 15:1 teaches that a gentle answer turns away wrath, highlighting the power of gentle communication. In our relationships, especially with those closest to us, we should strive to communicate gently, avoiding harsh words and tones that provoke anger. Gentleness in communication involves being mindful of our words, choosing to speak in a way that builds others up rather than tearing them down. It requires us to listen actively, respond thoughtfully, and maintain a calm demeanor even in heated discussions.

Gentle communication is not about avoiding difficult conversations or sugar-coating the truth. Instead, it is about speaking the truth in love, with a heart that seeks to understand and reconcile rather than to dominate or win an argument. By practicing gentleness in our speech, we can foster healthier and more meaningful relationships. This approach not only helps in resolving conflicts but also in creating an atmosphere of trust and respect. As we follow Jesus' example of gentle communication, we can become instruments of peace and reconciliation in our communities. [29:54]

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV): "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Reflection: Reflect on your recent conversations. Were there moments when your words could have been more gentle? How can you intentionally incorporate gentleness into your daily communication?

Day 3: Receiving Feedback with Humility

A gentle person is humble enough to receive feedback and criticism thoughtfully. Instead of reacting defensively, they sift through the feedback to find any truth and use it for personal growth. This humility is rooted in finding our identity in Christ rather than in our performance or others' opinions. When we are secure in our identity in Christ, we are less likely to take feedback personally and more likely to respond with humility and gentleness. This approach allows us to grow and improve, becoming more like Jesus in our character and actions.

Receiving feedback with humility requires us to be open-minded and willing to learn. It involves listening carefully, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting on the feedback to identify areas for growth. By approaching feedback with a gentle and humble spirit, we can turn potentially negative experiences into opportunities for personal and spiritual development. This mindset not only helps us grow but also sets a positive example for others, encouraging them to approach feedback with the same humility and openness. [38:04]

Proverbs 12:1 (ESV): "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."

Reflection: Think about a recent piece of feedback or criticism you received. How did you respond? What can you do to receive feedback with more humility and gentleness in the future?

Day 4: Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Gentleness

Jesus demonstrated gentleness in His interactions with the woman caught in adultery, His journey to the cross, and His restoration of Peter. In each instance, He showed power under control, humility, and a gentle spirit. Jesus' gentleness was not a sign of weakness but of His incredible strength and self-control. He chose to respond with compassion and grace, even when He had the power to condemn or retaliate. His example teaches us that true gentleness comes from a place of inner strength and a deep understanding of God's love and grace.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to emulate His gentleness in our daily lives. This means responding to others with the same compassion, grace, and humility that Jesus demonstrated. It involves putting aside our pride and ego, and choosing to act in a way that reflects the love and gentleness of Christ. By following Jesus' example, we can become more like Him and bring His light and love into the world. [45:22]

Matthew 11:29 (ESV): "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you can follow Jesus' example of gentleness. How can you demonstrate power under control, humility, and a gentle spirit in that situation?

Day 5: Finding Identity in Christ

Our ability to be gentle is deeply connected to where we find our identity. When our identity is rooted in Christ, we are less likely to take feedback personally and more likely to respond with humility and gentleness. This shift in identity helps us grow in the fruit of the Spirit, including gentleness. Finding our identity in Christ means understanding that our worth and value come from Him, not from our performance or others' opinions. It involves trusting in His love and grace, and allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out.

When we find our identity in Christ, we are freed from the need to prove ourselves or seek validation from others. This freedom allows us to respond to situations and people with a gentle and humble spirit, reflecting the character of Christ. It also helps us to remain grounded and secure, even in the face of criticism or challenges. By rooting our identity in Christ, we can grow in gentleness and become more like Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions. [41:08]

Colossians 3:3 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: Where do you currently find your identity? How can you shift your focus to find your identity in Christ, and how might this change the way you respond to others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the fruit of the Spirit known as gentleness. We began by acknowledging that we cannot cultivate these fruits on our own; it is the Holy Spirit who empowers us. Gentleness, as described in the Bible, is often misunderstood as weakness, but it is actually power under control. Aristotle described gentleness as a balance between excessive anger and a lack of emotion, but the Greek word "prautes," used by Paul and Jesus, carries the idea of humility.

We examined three word pictures from ancient Greek writings to understand gentleness better: a soothing wind, healing medicine, and a tamed wild horse. These images help us see that gentleness is not about being weak but about using strength in a controlled and humble manner. Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a gentle answer turns away wrath, highlighting the importance of gentleness in our speech and communication.

We also discussed how gentleness is evident in how we receive feedback and criticism. A gentle person listens humbly and thoughtfully, even when the feedback is harsh. This humility is rooted in finding our identity in Christ rather than in our performance or others' opinions.

Jesus is the ultimate example of gentleness. We looked at three specific instances: His interaction with the woman caught in adultery, His gentle journey to the cross, and His restoration of Peter after Peter's denial. In each case, Jesus demonstrated power under control, humility, and a gentle spirit.

Finally, we are called to follow Jesus' example of gentleness in our daily lives. This means speaking gently, receiving feedback humbly, and finding our identity in Christ. As we do this, the Holy Spirit will cultivate the fruit of gentleness in us, making us more like Jesus.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Gentleness as Power Under Control: Gentleness is not weakness but power under control. It involves using our strength and authority in a humble and controlled manner. This is evident in how we speak and interact with others, turning away wrath with gentle answers. [28:15]
2. Gentleness in Communication: Our speech is a primary indicator of gentleness. Proverbs 15:1 teaches that a gentle answer turns away wrath. In our relationships, especially with those closest to us, we should strive to communicate gently, avoiding harsh words and tones that provoke anger. [29:54]
3. Receiving Feedback with Humility: A gentle person is humble enough to receive feedback and criticism thoughtfully. Instead of reacting defensively, they sift through the feedback to find any truth and use it for personal growth. This humility is rooted in finding our identity in Christ. [38:04]
4. Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Gentleness: Jesus demonstrated gentleness in His interactions with the woman caught in adultery, His journey to the cross, and His restoration of Peter. In each instance, He showed power under control, humility, and a gentle spirit, setting an example for us to follow. [45:22]
5. Finding Identity in Christ: Our ability to be gentle is deeply connected to where we find our identity. When our identity is rooted in Christ, we are less likely to take feedback personally and more likely to respond with humility and gentleness. This shift in identity helps us grow in the fruit of the Spirit. [41:08]
### [41:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:03] - Introduction to Gentleness
[20:37] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[20:58] - Personal Story: Moving to Florida
[21:18] - Finding Recommendations
[21:36] - The Dentist Experience
[22:51] - The Concept of Gentleness
[23:50] - Aristotle's View on Gentleness
[25:44] - Greek Word Pictures of Gentleness
[26:58] - Soothing Wind and Healing Medicine
[28:15] - Power Under Control
[29:54] - Gentleness in Communication
[31:37] - Gentleness in Relationships
[33:38] - Speaking the Truth in Love
[35:08] - Receiving Feedback
[37:18] - The Fool and Feedback
[38:04] - Humility in Receiving Feedback
[39:40] - Identity in Christ
[41:08] - The Impact of Identity
[42:11] - Jesus' Example of Gentleness
[43:13] - The Woman Caught in Adultery
[45:22] - Jesus' Journey to the Cross
[48:06] - Peter's Denial and Restoration
[50:44] - Application to Our Lives
[53:29] - The Gentleness of God
[54:00] - Responding to God's Love
[55:01] - Invitation to Prayer
[59:29] - Communion
[60:30] - Closing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Proverbs 15:1 say about the impact of a gentle answer versus a harsh word?
How does Jesus describe Himself in Matthew 11:28-29, and what does He promise to those who come to Him?
According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit, and how is gentleness described among them?

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of "power under control" redefine our understanding of gentleness? ([28:15])
Why is humility an essential component of gentleness, as seen in the examples of Jesus' interactions with others? ([45:22])
How does finding our identity in Christ help us to receive feedback and criticism with gentleness? ([41:08])

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent conversation where you responded with harsh words. How could you have used a gentle answer to turn away wrath instead? ([29:54])
Think of a situation where you need to give feedback to someone. How can you ensure that your words are gentle and respectful? ([33:38])
Identify a person in your life who often gives you feedback. How can you practice receiving their comments with humility and gentleness this week? ([38:04])
Jesus demonstrated gentleness in His interactions with the woman caught in adultery, His journey to the cross, and His restoration of Peter. Which of these examples resonates most with you, and why? ([45:22])
How can you cultivate the fruit of gentleness in your daily interactions, especially with those closest to you? ([31:37])
Consider an area of your life where you struggle with finding your identity in Christ. How can you shift your focus to see yourself through God's eyes this week? ([41:08])
What specific steps can you take to follow Jesus' example of gentleness in your workplace or community? ([50:44])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "That's why God gives every believer the Holy Spirit to empower us and to guide us towards traits like love, joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and this week's fruit, gentleness." [20:37] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Gentleness is about reserving the strength and the power and the authority that you actually have for just the right moment. Gentleness is being humble enough to show the strength and power and authority you have in just the right way. Gentleness is really power under control." [28:15] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus looked at you, you and loved you so much and was so excited about bringing you back into a right relationship with God that he joyfully and willingly and gently went to the cross for you. He did this to pay the price for your sin and mine. For our rebellion." [52:23] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Bible tells us that we love because he first loved us. He gently made the first move and calls us to respond. And when we as his children like Peter stumble along the way Jesus gently invites us back to follow him once again." [52:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Church God wants to cultivate the fruit of gentleness in every single one of our lives. Gentleness is going to be evident in how we talk. It's going to be evident in how we listen to feedback or criticism. But true gentleness comes when we respond to God's love." [54:00] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When gentleness is being cultivated in us, the way we speak will turn away wrath. We'll be disarming with our words. We will calm down the conversation instead of pouring gasoline on the fire with our harsh words. A gentle person, therefore, knows how to speak. How to instruct and how to confront." [31:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "A gentle person will humbly listen to feedback regardless of how it's given. They're going to be humble enough to sift through someone's anger or someone's delivery to see if there's any truth at all in what is being said. A gentle person will thoughtfully weigh if and how to respond but this is such a struggle for us." [38:04] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Like the woman caught in adultery we have all done and said things we shouldn't have. And if you are right now intentionally living outside of God's plan for your life. If you are intentionally going against God's word. If you are intentionally looking to the world for your happiness for your fulfillment then Jesus's words to that woman are the same words to you. He is gently calling you don't keep living that way." [51:16] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And the reason why Jesus was able to release this woman gently from her condemnation is because it was God's plan all along for Jesus to pay the price for her sin and my sin and your sin and the sins of the world. And the Bible tells us that Jesus even went gently to the cross." [45:58] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And while there are lots of places in the Bible that are wonderful examples of Jesus being gentle, I want to look very quickly at three specific examples. The first one is from John chapter 8. In John chapter 8 some religious leaders bring to Jesus and I quote a woman caught in the act of adultery." [43:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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