 | “Let your 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...
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...
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