Believers ensnared by sin must be restored gently ( Gal 6:1 ). But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). In sharing the good news of the gospel we are to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Gentle people are kind, caring, and considerate of others. Even in our sin, He continues to love us. Before we can begin to unpack what it means to have gentleness we must first look into the meaning of the word. Note that the Catholic church includes a few additional fruits as part of tradition, listing 12: 3. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Truth be told, it takes a strong person to be truly gentle. 889 opposites of gentleness- words and phrases with opposite meaning. Another pair of opposites in the Bible is innocence and guilt. Cruelty and unkindness. We're more likely to listen and understand others when we're gentle. They are often areas where we carry deep wounds and trauma from our past. A meek spirit, a gentle spirit, a quiet spirit. People who are gentle usually have a lot of inner peace and self-control. You can find various definitions of gentleness online: A mildness of manners or disposition Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. A mildness of disposition or manner, thus the opposite of roughness or harshness. We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. He was a rough man by trade, but when it came to leading men to Christ, he employed great gentleness. One of the most important lessons we can teach our children is gentleness. considerateness.5 The Interpreter's Bible says it is the opposite of hubris, the Greek word for haughty, boastful inso-lence.6 To try to understand gentleness further, let us go through the passages in the Bible where the Greek word prautes is used. Jesus had it: " I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls " ( Matthew 11:29, ESV). Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. As directed toward God, meekness and humility require the following: I. People should be able to see Christ in us because we are kind and gentle to others, even when they are not to us. And God in Christ is exemplified by the gentleness with which he labored among others. Required fields are marked *. It's the opposite of anger and harshness. According to that definition, one could say that gentleness isnt doing, it is being done to. Consider how you talk to yourself. Sharpness, coldness, or evil. Christlikeness begins with a willingness to forgive and move forward. 5:22). Gentleness comes from a state of humility. 5:22). Antonyms: drunkenness, excess, gluttony, greed, intemperance, intoxication, reveling, revelry, self-indulgence, sensuality, wantonness Synonyms: abstemiousness, abstinence, continence, fasting, frugality, moderation, self-denial, self-restraint, sobriety, temperance Preposition: The negative side of virtue is abstinence from vice. of It is important to have an accurate perception of what gentleness is. We need to be intentional about showing our spouse gentleness. We also model for them the importance of exhibiting self-control and respect. We grow in gentleness much in the way that we grow in every fruitwe abide in Jesus. Empathy is acknowledging another persons point of view to understand their feelings. . But thats not what the Bible talks about when it talks about gentleness. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Its not a weakness, but a strength. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. Gentleness is a value and quality in one's character. It is displayed by Good Behavior and one of the fruits of the spirit, in the hidden person of the heart. Crucify ego, self-will, and pride. This means that we are to be gentle with others, even when they have wronged us. The Old Testament. Job's counsels were well received, because he spoke them gently ( Job 29:22 ). But the reality is that war is more of a surface behaviour, something seen, rather than exposing the deeper things taking place inside. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It was a failure, and he tore up a good deal of potential evidence. About 5 years ago, Robert Ringer wrote the book Looking Out For Number One. We could all use some extra tips for living out gentleness these days. You could also have the children play the role . Your email address will not be published. In this blog post, we will explore a few examples of gentleness from the Bible. alain picard wife / ap calculus bc multiple choice / opposite of gentleness in the bible. To have gentleness is to have a gentle spirit or nature about you. I am too busy to listen to my child's story. It is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit by good work and a gentle tongue. Talk to a trusted friend or counselor about the hurt youve experienced. Developing Christian Gentleness is a sermon from Galatians 5:22-23 about the six ways that the Holy Spirit helps a Christian learn to be gentle. As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. . He comes to them not "with a whip [but] in love and with a gentle spirit" ( 1 Cor 4:21 ). The New Testament. Speak the truth but watch your tone so that the truth will be well received, however painful it may be. The Bible says that gentleness is not soon angry. (1 Cor. We learn to make their aims our aims. In the Old Testament, gentleness is illustrated in the bible as a stream or river (Isaiah 8:6) and also to a shepherd caring for his flock of lambs (Isaiah 40:11). When we are gentle with others, we are showing them the love and compassion of Christ. . James contrasts gentleness with filthiness and rampant wickedness. It is the mark of being one of wisdom. Prautes is also used to translate a different Hebrew word that is often translated the poor. This is the case in Job 24:4, Isaiah 26:6, Zechariah 9:9, and Zephaniah 3:12. When we celebrate leaders who get things done but do so in a way entirely contrary to Christ, we are tainting our hearts. Gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world. That means that if you want to be like Jesus, then gentleness should be one of your top priorities. Remembering the end of the story can be helpful as well. Gentleness, also translated "meekness," does not mean weakness. Ask God to help you see others the way He sees them as precious children made in His image. 94-96, 240-42; W. Bauder, NIDNTT, 2:256-64; H. Preisker, TDNT, 2:588-90; F. Hauck and S. Schulz, TDNT, 6:645-51. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone (Titus 3:1-2). Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered, Opposite of civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry, Opposite of the sum of all attributes that are feminine or convey womanhood, Opposite of sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others, Many of the world's ills can be traced back to society's general, Opposite of the quality of abiding by strong moral principles, Opposite of the state, act, or fact of being calm and composed, Opposite of the class of people having an aristocratic status. When Adam and Eve started out in the Garden of Eden, they had peace with God. We are harsh and brutish when we are attempting to grab ahold of authority or power that isnt our own. This is what we are called to do as Christs disciples! In Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians the word is used in lists combined with things like humility as virtues and graces. I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. Your email address will not be published. The word is most frequently used by Paul, James, and Peter. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is patience? My heart is too hard to go in the spirit of meekness to visit the sister who I have offended or who has offended me (, More Heart to Heart: Godly Wisdom Woman To Woman. In fact, it mentions it in several places. Speak respectfully to everyone. The Bridge Bible Fellowship. Both qualities come from God and both are fruits of His Spirit at work in our lives. Take out time to visit our Website for more information on similar topics. Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would like to be treated. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! What does this look like? Would you rather be around someone who is marked by a gentle spirit or one who is harsh, brutish, critical, and aggressive? If you want to see real, biblical gentleness, open your bible to one of the gospels, and reflect on Jesus's words and actions. The Bible is full of examples of Gods character, and one of the most prominent traits is His gentleness. That king, now come in the flesh, is "gentle and humble in heart" ( Matt 11:29 ). We need His help to be gentle! I have been helped in the area of gentleness, Youre welcome glad to hear its helpful! Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). Heres everything you need to know about this virtue and how you can use it in your life! Click here to read more verses about gentleness. I was defending my need to not have my thoughts intruded upon frequently. gentle parenting bible study discussion guides, The Responsibilities of a Parent in the Bible, Children Should Be Seen and Not Heard A Biblical Perspective, Remember God Is In Control And He Cares About You, Gratitude In The Bible Key Verses and How To Apply Them, What It Means to Be a Good Steward in the Bible with Examples, 27 Bible Verses On Identity in Christ for Powerful Living, The Mystery of Mothers Intuition Revealed In The Bible. But the more I study, the more I find that gentleness is one of the chief Christian virtues. Each aspect of this fruit is characteristic of Christ Jesus. One definition comes from Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness. Another translation says, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering. The word for gentleness here means strength under control or power working itself out in love. We will see that gentleness is not weakness, but rather a powerful force for good in the world.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3','ezslot_1',624,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-jesusleadershiptraining_com-box-3-0'); Gentleness is often seen as a virtue, and it is praised throughout history. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" ( Gal 5:22-23 ), a cluster of qualities each of which reinforces and finds expression in the others. And once again the Lord is working for their rescue. Gentleness is powerful because it is godly. The Greek word describes someone who has power but chooses not to use it harshly or selfishly. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. Gentleness has been a topic of discussion since the beginning of time. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and its not just a nice thing to be. He does not keep record of our wrongs, but offers forgiveness if we come to Him. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. 8. The Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek NT defines it this way: Prautes denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge controlled strength, the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment; the ability to provide a soothing influence on someone who is in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life the word indicates an obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gentle attitude and kind acts toward others, and this often in the face of opposition.. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. That is having peace with others. ( Matt. Teddy Roosevelt said he thought it wise to speak softly and carry a big stick. Gentleness for many is synonymous with being quiet spoken, a pushover, and weak. Be considerate of others feelings and needs. Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. It can be difficult to remain gentle when we have been hurt, but it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that nobody is perfect. Your email address will not be published. Gentleness in marriage As wives, we don't have the physical strength our husbands do, usually. The Holy Spirit wants us to cultivate this fruit of gentleness in our lives. It is the opposite of being harsh with others. Im too self-centered to stop and kiss my childs scraped knee. The gentleness of our God has the attributes of love, grace, mercy as well as judgment. Look at how he led the Philippian jailer to Christ. The power of gentleness should never be underestimated, especially when it comes to raising children. But thats ignorant of Roman history and the state of corruption within the religious leaders in his day. hardness docility, intentional mildness roughness docility, intentional mildness abruptness steepness harshness imperviousness docility, intentional mildness precipitousness brutality unkindness Filters Most terms are nouns Suggest Below are a few examples of how to practice this virtue in your life. Paul was a great example of this. When we think about gentleness, we often think about it as a weakness. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). After all, he was a man who was without sin and yet he showed great compassion and mercy towards others, even those who were sinners. The Old Testament. Gentleness is opposed to all forms of prideful anger: "quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility" ( 2 Corinthians 12:20 ). We can ask Him to reveal ways we can show gentleness to others so that we may reflect His character. So, what does gentleness mean? unkindness. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. I'm too self-centered to stop and kiss my child's scraped knee. I justified it as being 64 and still having children at home (Intellectually challenged). But the opposite is true. In the 1960s, one man decided to use heavy equipment and bulldozers to move earth and get 100 feet below ground to access the treasure. These great examples of gentleness help us to see practically what that looks like in everyday life. There are many benefits to being gentle. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. Welcome to our Family. A gentle heart comes from having love for others. If the previous search had been crushing a walnut with a sledgehammer, the current team is crushing a walnut with precision lasers and analyzing content all the way through the process. The good news is that Gentleness can be learned. Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. 4.) Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. (1Timothy 3:3 the Revised Version (British and American); Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1Peter 2:18); also, with article, Philippians 4:5 (the King James Version "moderation," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"). There is also peace with God. Yet, he is gentle with us. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Gentleness, Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Gentleness. Copyrights 2021 Gentle Christian Parenting. It requires great strength and self-control. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! A few years ago, Robert Ringer wrote two best-selling books that even encouraged people to be aggressive in the dog-eat-dog business world. In some ways these two words are opposite poles of a spectrum: Meekness or gentleness is the quality of having strength under control, while humility is the quality of self-forgetfulness and giving up personal rights for the sake of others. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love (Ephesians 4:2). It can be described with one word from the Book of Books. Galatians 5:22-25. The apostle Paul wrote, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). You can also check out these gentle parenting bible study discussion guides.This post was written by guest blogger Meaghan Jackson ofGentle Parenting Coaching. He will still be gentle and lowly in heart. Gentleness is a marker of power used and handled properly. Gentleness is more than just being nice and kind and caring towards others; its actually the quality of God Himself who has been poured out into our hearts by His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). 4. Gentleness is one of the most important virtues in the Bible. We may not realize it, but we are graced a tremendous amount of power. GENTLENESS. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Great damage has been done by Christians who have wielded God-given authority for their own ends instead of for the kingdom. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. 5:22). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He healed the sick, preached to the masses, and showed compassion to everyone he met. Here are the nine fruits of the spirit as listed in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. All Rights Reserved. unkindness. January 15, 2016 by Lauren Abraham in [ Spiritual Life ] "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is why someone like Coco Chanel could say that gentleness doesnt get things done. It is the opposite of harshness and violence. In Matthew 11:29, Christ said, " 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" (emphasis added throughout). 5 Jun. However, Scripture reminds us that we are called to be gentle with others, even in the midst of difficult times. Seek counseling or therapy if youre struggling to let go of the pain. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. In most of these instances it is used to indicate the one who will be taught by the LORD, is lifted up by the LORD, who will be adorned with salvation and saved. The word was also used to describe the meekness of Moses in Numbers 12:3, and in Psalm 36:11 it is the meek who will inherit the earth. Our research shows that gentleness is the most overlooked fruit of the Spirit, and not by a little. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. Luke 22:42, John 4:34, 7:16-17. The Bible is filled with examples of gentleness, both from God and from Jesus. 10. So now that we understand the call to gentleness and its many benefits, how do we put it into practice?Here are 10 ways you can show gentleness: Here are some bible verses on gentleness to encourage and build you up. Part I: Meekness and Humility Toward God In the Bible, meekness is primarily emphasized as submissiveness toward God (rather than toward men). And does it accomplish things? Galatians 5 . When we are gentle with our children, we send the message that they are safe and loved. When we humble ourselves and remember that we too are sinners in need of forgiveness, it becomes easier to extend grace. I'm Megan, and this is my creative space. In the New Testament epieikeia ("fairness," "moderation," in Acts 24:4 translated "clemency") is in 2Corinthians 10:1 translated "gentleness," "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Macc 2:22 "favour," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"); chrestotes, "kindness," "usefulness," is translated "gentleness" in Galatians 5:22 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "kindness"; chrestos is the word translated "kind" (to the unthankful and evil, Luke 6:35), and chrestotes seems to carry in it a similar idea of active kindness. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Posted by ; royal canin yorkie dog food reviews; parkland psychiatric hospital dallas, tx . Its the opposite of anger and harshness. 11:29 NIV). The opposite of gentleness is: Rudeness, manipulation, or disrespect. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. He could have called down twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didnt. In doing so we will win over those who hear us. The Bible says that gentleness is "not soon angry." (1 Cor. Yield, surrender, and submit your will to the will of God. 1. Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. 2 Corinthians 10:1 uses the meekness and gentleness (kindness) of Christ as an example for his own pattern. Scripture says for a woman to have that internal heart attitude of meekness or gentleness and a quiet spirit gives her a beauty that is imperishable. opposite of gentleness in the biblehavelock wool australia. For more help incorporating gentleness into your parenting, consider working with Meaghan.Learn More About Meaghan here.Enjoy this post?
opposite of gentleness in the bible