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Strength in gentleness?

3/27/2017

2 Comments

 
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Photo Credit: ElleFlorio Flickr via Compfight cc
“Let your
gentleness
​be evident to all.” 

               ~Philippians 4:5
I don't know about you, but when I read this I have 2 thoughts:  1)  I am so far 
from gentle it's not even funny and 2) Who wants to be gentle?  That's not manly; it's wimpy!  I'll get walked all over!

But I don't think that "wimpy-ness" is what the Lord has in mind. The Greek word translated as gentleness here is 
epieikes (pronounced ep-ee-i-kace') and means equitable, fair, mild, gentle. The dictionary defines gentle as kind, moderate, not severe, rough or violent.  

It is a demeanor that reflects the following:

Grace-filled. A gentle-man recognizes the grace that has been given to him and allows it to overflow into the lives of those around him. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ~Luke 6:36 (ESV)

Equitable. A gentle-man is a fair man. Do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. ~Micah 6:8 (NASB)

Noble. A gentle-man is an honorable man, filled with integrity. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely. ~Proverbs 10:9 (ESV)

Thoughtful. A gentle-man is a thoughtful man; thinking of others higher than himself. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. ~Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Loving.  A gentle-man loves those that God has put around him - whether that be at work, home or play. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ~John 13:34 (NIV)

Encouraging. A gentle-man understands the importance of encouraging others. Encourage one another and build one another up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)


Truth be told, there is a great deal of strength in "gentleness." It is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and as such comes from God.

Let us seek Him wholeheartedly and become the "gentle-men" He designed us to be!


Growing together into who He made us to be...
2 Comments
neill lynch
3/29/2017 08:17:12 pm

Matt 11: 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and GENTLE at heart, and you will find rest for your soul.

Jesus said it. That's good enough for me.
from the Life Application Bible, NLT

Reply
Russ
3/30/2017 10:12:51 am

Amen!

Reply



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