Gentleness

Gentleness

Gentleness is one of the choicest fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23), and only spiritual people produce this fruit for their own blessing and for the blessing of others. It is united with the wisdom that is from above which is peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits. Jas. 3:17. It is a very choice virtue and is full of wisdom. True gentleness, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, is not united with the human, weak gentleness that is variable. Everything that God does is firm and immovable, while doing its abundant work.

Joseph, our great example, used strong and harsh words against his brothers, but at the same time he also turned away and wept. When he revealed himself to his brothers he wept so loudly that the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard him. Gen. 45:1-2. He melted everything that might have been hard in his brothers’ hearts with gentle, good, and forgiving words.

“A gentle tongue breaks a bone.” Prov. 25:15. It is a crushing power when nothing else suffices. Joseph could have entertained harsh thoughts of revenge and condemned his brothers to death or life-long slavery, but instead he moved his brothers and all his many relatives to Goshen, which was the best place in all of Egypt.

“And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come near to me.’ And they came near. And he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved nor angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.’” Gen. 45:4-5. “‘You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.’” Gen. 50:20. Joseph was also given the task by God of closing his father’s eyes and taking his body to the land of Canaan to be buried there. Gen. 46:4; 50:5.

The entire story of Joseph is a testimony of gentleness, goodness, and reconciliation. When Joseph sent his brothers to fetch Jacob, his father, he said, “‘Quarrel not with one another on the way.’” Gen. 45:24. There is much hardness, and many evil, selfish thoughts in quarreling with each other. This was not to happen on such an important errand on the way to their father. When we think of the important task we have on the way to our heavenly Father, we ought to be deeply ashamed at the very thought of disunity and strife. Gentle words come from a pure and good heart.

“The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody; but a pleasant tongue is above them both.” Ecclesiasticus 40:21. A pleasant or gentle tongue surpasses the finest music.

Moses was fiery and strong in his youth, but he became the most humble man on earth in fellowship with God. Ex. 2:11-12; Num. 12:3.

“Saul and Jonathan were beloved and gentle in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.” 2 Sam. 1:23. “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very dear to me; your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.” V. 26. Saul and Jonathan were mighty warriors, but they were beloved and gentle in life. It is evident from David’s psalms that he was also like this, but even more so. In 2 Samuel 22:35-36 we read, “He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your gentleness has made me great.” It is easiest to be harsh, to fight back, and to avenge yourself, but gentleness makes you truly great.

“Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ . . . .” 2 Cor. 10:1. In Romans 12 he exhorts by the mercies of God to be tenderhearted toward one another in brotherly love.

Paul came with a radical message that brought the cross and death over all kinds of sin. But when it came to carrying out what he preached, he came with gentle and good words, full of hope, comfort, and help.

“But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.” 1 Thess. 2:7-8.

Paul was full of love, care, gentleness, and goodness, so that the message he preached could melt all hardness and have an abundant entrance into hearts.

“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.” 2 Cor. 12:15.

Jesus received the tongue of a disciple from His heavenly Father so that He could refresh the weary with His words. Isa. 50:4. There is no doubt that those who are tired and discouraged are in dire need of such words in these days.

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient . . . .” 2 Tim. 2:24.

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Prov. 16:24.

May God give abundant grace to use the sword of the Spirit and the gentle tongue in the right spirit and at the right time.