A friend once wrote a letter to both bless me and draw me deeper into an honest, true life. My friend quoted lines from the novelist James Kavanaugh: “There are men,” Kavanaugh wrote, “who are too gentle to live among wolves.” My friend invited me, amid a violent and self-protective world, to live with a gentle posture, to refuse to grow hard or defensive. The letter contains words that are among the most powerful a friend has ever shared with me.
Paul wrote similar words, calling us to “let your gentleness be evident to all” (Philippians 4:5 NIV). Is there any teaching that flies more in the face of the spirit of our age? People are so swift to denounce, to mock, to rush in with judgment. But whenever we perceive someone to be in error, rather than reacting with anger and fury, we should heed Peter’s words and speak “in a gentle and respectful way” (1 Peter 3:16).
Because we possess joy and goodness in Jesus (Philippians 4:4), we don’t need to be forceful or rude. There’s no need to overwhelm another to prove we belong or to grab what we think is ours; no need to enact violence or present a false aura of toughness in order to feel secure.
That doesn’t mean we surrender our strength—that’s not gentleness. Whenever we remain gentle in the face of chaos, loss, or dismay, whenever we push against fear or rage—these are acts of tremendous strength.
God doesn’t ask us to surrender our strength, but He does call us to resist the compulsion to prove our strength by mocking, overwhelming or crushing others’ spirits. Instead, we trust God and rest in His peace (Philippians 4:7). We learn to live in His gentle ways.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 13:1-12
More:
Read Titus 3:2. What are the various instructions Paul gives? How do these instructions work together?
Next:
What does it look like for you to live out Jesus’ gentleness before others? When do you find it most difficult to offer gentleness to others? Why?
corgimom on October 28, 2016 at 5:51 am
Wow! What a powerful devotion and just what I needed (but not necessarily wanted) to be reminded of today. I particularly find it hard to be gentle when I am treated disrespectfully — I react defensively, angrily, all the ways that show me as a poor Christian instead of returning gentleness and soothing words. “A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Help me, Lord, to rely on Your words and attitude, not my own.
Winn Collier on October 28, 2016 at 11:18 am
yes, it’s so easy to be defensive, isn’t it? something pricked inside us. Mercy for gentleness for all of us…
Gary Shultz on October 28, 2016 at 6:29 am
Winn, Corgimom, stated the standard reaction, of which I often stand guilty. In today’s world it does seem increasingly difficult to retain gentleness, and yet for the cause of Christ we must, and if we must, we need His help to carry His Spirit into a hate filled world. Christ certainly left a picture of gentleness and yet contained power we can’t imagine. To me the big difference is in the picture of Christ. He was gentle because He wanted to be, not because He had to be. I still think that is the picture we need to hold. Some are gentle because they have no grit and the only choice is to accept the “door mat” posture and live with getting continually trampled, as you say we should not surrender. The lights should on and somebody should be home, but it should be a friendly place, a place of welcome on purpose. Thanks Winn
Winn Collier on October 28, 2016 at 11:20 am
yeah, you now, I don’t think the “door mat” posture is true gentleness but something quite different. I like your call for us to be a “place of welcome.” That’s good.
hsnpoor on October 28, 2016 at 8:37 pm
“Jesus was gentle because He wanted to be, not because He had to be”. That’s highly instructive, Gary! I think it’s also interesting that Galatians 5:22-23, when looking at various translations, seems to use the terms meekness and gentleness interchangeably. I haven’t done any long, exhaustive study on this, but I don’t think that is right. I think one is an attitude (meekness) that produces a character trait (gentleness). Would welcome any comment or input on what others think about this.
godlove on October 28, 2016 at 6:36 am
At a time when being brash seems to be appreciated as a character trait for “real leaders” (according to worldly standards), I think it’s very important for us believers to remember that Christ teaches us meekness and humility, with gentleness. I’m no psychologist but I’m sure gentleness is not a sign of weakness, instead many try to hide their insecurities behind a false facade of toughness on the outside. Looking at Jesus’ example we see how even with the great power He possesses (able to stop even storms), He always had a gentle reply to give to His detractors. Let us take our forceful ways to Christ, He can and will certainly help us to be like Him. Thank you for taking us to this passage of Scripture today, Winn. I have always taken every word of Philippians 4:4-7 very close at heart, this is one of the passages in the Bible which I personally feel the most attuned to. Blessed weekend to everyone, with love.
gagirllive on October 28, 2016 at 7:01 am
Winn, this is such a good word for us today. And your friend—what a gift! Hold on to that treasure. I love the definition of meekness—power under control. I think in some translations it is used interchangeably with gentleness. As Christ followers, living among people who are generally so abrasive and rude, we have the most wonderful opportunity to shine as lights in a dark world by just carrying ourselves with gentleness. I must admit that it is not my natural temperament, but under the control of the Holy Spirit it certainly is who I am as I walk in step with Him. When I don’t keep the awareness of Christ in me and that my purpose is to reflect His glory, I am every bit as rude and selfish as I was before I knew Him. Walking in humility and gentleness is such a stark contrast and witness to a watching world that believes and practices “an eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth”. Meekness, humility, and gentleness are the foundation of the launching pad by which we overcome evil with good. With the Lord’s help, I aim to walk the gentle way today. In His Steps. 🙂 Thank you for spurring me on, Winn. A blessed weekend to you and all my fellow travelers.
hsnpoor on October 28, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Hmmmm…. seems our minds traveled or, at least, passed through the same territory, GG. Your comment puts the rubber to that road and highlights what’s important about keying in on the similarities and differences we pour into these impactful words.
tim gustafson on October 28, 2016 at 9:57 am
Winn, I need to read this post every time I get set to head out into traffic! Thanks for bringing this practical and important message to us today.
Winn Collier on October 28, 2016 at 11:22 am
you can just “gently” lay on your horn. Just no hanging your head out the window or angry hand gestures.
hsnpoor on October 28, 2016 at 8:43 pm
LOL!
sim jing ying on October 28, 2016 at 10:19 am
The world would be a better place to live in if everyone were to show Jesus’s gentleness to otheres including me. It’s hard to show gentleness to a person who treats be badly like stealing my stuff or insulting me and prayers are needed for them because your anger might overcome your gentleness and it is hard to express gentleness but by God’s grace, I’m able to express gentleness every time miraculously because of God’s strength.
mb19339 on October 28, 2016 at 3:39 pm
Thanks, Sim Jing Ying, Yes – and see above for the wise distinction between gentleness and being a “doormat.” We can gently, in love for another person, confront them about clear wrongdoing but in such a way that it’s clear we want what’s best for them – for them to enjoy life in God’s just and joyful kingdom. Peace, Monica
sandy229 on October 28, 2016 at 10:36 am
Thank you Winn for this reminder today! While I was visiting my boys earlier this week, they were arguing and I was thinking the younger one should be setting an example for the older one because he wants to be Christ like, but it’s really me who needs this lesson. It seems no matter how old they get, they still find things to argue about. But I am the one who should be setting a good example for both of them, and everyone I encounter.
Have a shalom weekend all!
mb19339 on October 28, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Yes, great reminder, Sandy – children absorb so much about how to approach life from witnessing the behavior of the adults in their life.
sandy229 on October 30, 2016 at 12:52 pm
This is so true, no matter how old they are. My boys just turned 41 and 42 this last week. When I read this devotion, it was a reminder that I should still be setting a good example for them, and of course the Holy Spirit was convicting me to do so. Thanks for your comment mb19339.
Shalom
youssef1777 on October 28, 2016 at 11:07 am
OUR GOOD SHEPHERD CARE DEARLY ABOUT US . JUST FOLLOW HIS VOICE .
youssef1777 on October 28, 2016 at 11:14 am
I KNOW WHEN I AM WEAK . I AM STRONG IN THE LORD. BECAUSE HE SAID MY POWER SHOW IN MY WEAKNESS . BLESS YOU LORD MY SAVIOR .
youssef1777 on October 28, 2016 at 11:33 am
BY SHOW OUR GOOD WORK . THAT SHOW THE PEOPLE HOW GOD LOVE THEM . AND PRAISE HIS NAME .
mb19339 on October 28, 2016 at 3:36 pm
A very timely message, Winn – a virtue much needed. Thank you for the spirit of gentleness you show in your writing and work.
minkjh on October 28, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Winn, you’ve neatly dovetailed this into another of Paul’s reminders for us to walk in wisdom among outsiders, with speech that is gracious and seasoned with salt (Col 4:5-6). I can think of no better way to reach those outside of the faith than the method Paul encourages here. Getting confrontational is counter-productive and rarely persuades anyone of the fullness of joy that awaits them through knowing Christ.
hsnpoor on October 28, 2016 at 8:45 pm
Amen!