Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is ... gentleness ..."

The second part of the manward aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is GENTLENESS. This is the love of Jesus revealed as gentleness in society. Gentleness is love holding fellowship with those around it. Gentleness is consideration - it is tenderness of feeling - it is warmth of affection - it is the result of compassion and sympathy. Gentleness is love in action. It is everything included in the matchless gentleness of Christ. The Greek word used in Galatians 5 for "gentleness" is 'chrestotes'. a disposition to be gentle - soft spoken - kind - even tempered - cultured - refined in character and conduct. This gentleness of Christ is reproduced in the believer by the Spirit. We have but to let Jesus shine forth from our lives. Concerning the fruit of the Spirit "gentleness", note:-

Psalm 18:35 "... Your gentleness has made me great."

In this declaration David identified gentleness with our great and wonderful God. The word itself 'anavah' is from a Hebrew root and means to abase or to chasten self, or to forbear. The gentleness of God is combined with His ALL-POWER - He can and does restrain that power in gentleness. The strength of God is inexhaustible, therefore His gentleness is great.

A boy was happily helping his Dad to clear some land - carrying a heavy log together, reaching near where it was to be placed, exhausted, the boy could hold his end no longer. His Dad, a strong man, took the full weight of the log himself, took it to where it needed to be placed and put it down gently. One of strength could have done that. One of lesser strength would have let it crash to the ground. "Why did you not throw it down, Dad?" asked the boy. His Dad put his arm around his son and said something the boy would never forget. "It is the prerogative of great strength to be gentle."

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

All things are possible to the indwelt Christian. The reserves of strength in Christ are inexhaustible, therefore the gentleness of God our Father can be manifested in our behaviour. Greatness in God is developed by His gentleness in us.

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In The Drawing Power Of God

Hosea 11:4 "I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, ..."

God's care for Israel is illustrated from the animal world. A man may lead his beast with cords suitable for an animal - God used cords suitable for a man, gentle - humane, in seeking to lead Israel. We are the recipients of the consideration of God in His gentle dealings with us.

Jeremiah 31:3 "... therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

The Hebrew word for "kindness" 'HESED' contains the idea of love and faithfulness. "Lovingkindness" a word that describes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, and gentle dealing with His own. God is 'gentle' in His "steadfast love" (RV).

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In The Symbols Used Of God Likened to a gentle mother:

Isaiah 66:13 "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; ..."

The closest and tenderest of relations will obtain between latter-day Israel and her God. The believer enjoys now the tenderness and satisfaction that is to be found in God. Likened to a nurse:

Hosea 11:3 "I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; ..."

God had taught Israel to walk, He had shown the loving care of a parent in nursing them - "taking them by their arms" to protect them from stumbling. Israel took her blessings for granted. and did not recognise the Lord in His dealings with them. God is a gentle nurse with His people - how we should appreciate His loving gentleness.

In His people's experiences as David:

Psalm 18:35 "... Your gentleness has made me great."

In David we see the gentle forbearance of God. David showed gentle forbearance in his dealings with Saul. In spite of the attempts made on his life by Saul, when Saul was in his power, David dealt gently with him (1 Samuel 24:10-11; 1 Samuel 26:11 ). The gentleness of God in David made David great. The fruit of the Spirit is the gentleness of God in His people. Gentleness is Godlikeness.

Matthew 12:19,20 "He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;"

The gracious, non-provocative ministry of Jesus is shown in these verses in fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 42:1-4.

"He did not engage in public haranguing, nor political demagoguery, neither did He trample on the weak in order to gain His ends". Wycliffe Bible Commentary

Jesus reveals His unwillingness to snuff out the smoking flax, or disdainfully destroy the bruised reed, though there be multiplied thousands growing alongside in perhaps better condition, to raise a melodious tune. His forbearing gentleness produces the best out of the most unpromising.

It is declared of Christ:

Isaiah 40:11 "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

His might and power are in view:

Isaiah 40:10 "Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: ..."

The warrior-like shepherd is also the gentle shepherd. He shall feed - gather - carry - lead. Beautifully expounded and lived out by the Lord Jesus. At His coming again His power and gentleness will be evident.

He tenderly taught His own in the Upper Room.

	Comforts (John 14:1 ).
	Confirms (John 14:2-4 ).
	Communicates (John 14:5-11 ) - By answering problems - By revealing the coming of the Comforter (John 14:12-14 ).
	Commands (John 14:15-16 ).
	Compensates (John 14:17 ). They were not to be left orphans.

There is so much tender teaching for His own in this chapter - indicating that the Master taught with gentleness.

The bridegroom in the Song of Solomon 8:5 is depicted as gently supporting the beloved bride.

Song of Solomon 8:5 "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? ..."

Assured of His gentleness all the way home.

Even to rejectors He reveals how He longs to gently gather them to Himself.

Matthew 23:37 "... How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"

Oh the beauty of the tender gentleness of Jesus. His gentleness can shine through you.

How attractive and effective is the fruit of the Spirit - effective in personal church relationships, and attractive in public relationships.

As an apostle Paul had power and authority but his strength was used in the gentleness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:1 "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, ..."

The gentleness of Jesus is our pattern for leadership in the church, and it is tragic when we get away from that pattern. The more we value anything, the more gentle we are in the handling of it. Great value is placed on the church - it is of great price - has cost the Lord the sacrifice of Himself.

Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us ..."

The great value of the Thessalonian church in the eyes of the apostle resulted in the gentle nursing of that fellowship.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 "But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children."

Obedience of 2 Timothy 2:24 and Titus 3:2 in being "gentle to all men", will make ours a winsome witness to the unsaved. The worth of a soul should call forth the gentleness of Christ in us. We cannot drive men to Christ, but we can draw them. An even-tempered character has great effect on the ungodly. In dealing with souls we need the wisdom that James speaks of:

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

"Gentleness" has in its meaning, 'soft-spokenness.' This fruit can have a wonderfully calming effect on the chronically angry, and those venting wrath.

Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: ..."

The winsomeness and power of gentleness in speech has been beautifully expressed in a poem:

Speak gently - it is better far To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently - let not harsh words mar The good we might do here.
Speak gently - love doth whisper low The vows that true hearts bind;
And gently, friendship's accents flow - Affections voice is kind.
Speak gently to the little child Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild; It may not long remain.
Speak gently to the young - for they Will have enough to bear;
Pass through this world as best they may, 'Tis full of anxious care.
Speak gently to the aged one, Grieve not the careworn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run. - Let such in peace depart.
Speak gently, kindly to the poor, Let no harsh tone be heard;
They have enough they must endure, Without an unkind word.
Speak gently to the erring - know They may have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so - Oh, win them back again.
Speak gently - 'tis a little thing Dropped in the heart's deep well -
The good, the joy that it may bring, Eternity shall tell.
- D. Bales

Every believer needs to be "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49 KJV; Acts 1:8 ). Along with that initial immersion in power, we need to be continually filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 ). This daily walking in the Spirit will guarantee for us a clearer and more evident manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit.

	The beauty of the gentleness of Jesus will be seen in our FACES.
	The tone of His gentleness in our SPEECH.
	The gentleness of His tread in our STEPS.
	The gentleness of His touch in our HANDS.

How Jesus longs by the fulness of the Spirit, to shatter the hardness of the world, through His gentleness in you.