And how can you use gentleness to improve your relationships with others? Yet, he is gentle with us. Gentleness, also translated "meekness," does not mean weakness. Speak respectfully to everyone. In other words, its not weakness; its strength under control. Focus on the positive qualities of the person who hurt you instead of their negative actions. 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.. synonyms It is the opposite of harshness and violence. This is shown in our thoughts and in the way we interact with those around us. Practice patience and kindness in your everyday interactions with others. What is gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit? Gentleness antonyms What is the opposite word for Gentleness? Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. Other faithful followers found this to be true (Job 29:22, 2 Timothy 2:25). The picture would be exponentially worse than a very small child trying to hold a kitten, not wielding his power correctly and doing irreparable harm to the small animal. The Pharisees told Jesus that the Law of Moses commanded them to stone such a woman, to which Jesus responds, Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:7). When we are gentle with others, we are showing them the love and compassion of Christ. Gentleness is powerful because it is godly. Gentleness is one of the most important virtues in the Bible. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "I'll believe it when I see it.". Gentleness extends grace (undeserved favor), love, and kindness to even the most difficult-to-like people. Some of these people include Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. However, Scripture reminds us that we are called to be gentle with others, even in the midst of difficult times. Who showed gentleness in the bible? Explained by Sharing Culture It is necessary, then, that we wield this authority with gentleness. The Bible is full of examples of gentleness. The opposite of gentleness is: Rudeness, manipulation, or disrespect. And these are the people whom I admire the most. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. The Bible says that Moses was a meek man; in fact, God's word in Numbers 12:3 says . Gentleness is the quality of being kind and considerate. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is faithfulness? The Oxford Dictionary defines gentleness as, "the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered." Kindness is literally a part of gentleness; the two are intertwined, and therefore when one is portrayed, so is the other. Gentleness. Consider what would happen if the omnipotent God was characterized by harshness with his creatures made of dust. We like to think that if Jesus were on earth today, hed be carrying around a whip. This verse tells us that we should not only be kind toward others but also put their needs before our own. The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness and Gentleness As Paul said, be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ) We never know when our kindness will lead someone into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Now, it's not to say that, if things are not peaceful, then war won't exist. The gentleness of our God has the attributes of love, grace, mercy as well as judgment. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. Remembering the end of the story can be helpful as well. It can also mean mildness and softness. You can also check out these gentle parenting bible study discussion guides.This post was written by guest blogger Meaghan Jackson ofGentle Parenting Coaching. About 5 years ago, Robert Ringer wrote the book Looking Out For Number One. The apostle Paul wrote that gentleness was one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will have the fruit of gentleness in our lives. In this blog post, we will explore a few examples of gentleness from the Bible. What is the biblical definition of gentleness? - TimesMojo This is similar language to what Paul used in 1 Corinthians 4:21, when he contrasts gentleness with coming to them with a rod.. The gentleness of Jesus is a subject that has been much talked about over the years. . It is shown in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit - What is gentleness? The supreme exemplar of gentleness is Israel's God. Philippians 2:3). Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and it's not just a nice thing to be. The New Testament is full of examples of Jesus gentleness. The opposite of gentleness is anger, a desire for revenge, and self-importance. This means more "that which is fitting, right, and equitable." Honestly, a change in our worldview/theology would do a great deal of work here as well. Gentleness also means that we are patient with those who disagree with us, because they may have valid reasons for their position or opinion. Reach out to the person who hurt you and try to reconcile. Empathy is acknowledging another persons point of view to understand their feelings. There are many who feel that this is one of the most important aspects of his life and teachings. What does gentleness mean? Explained by Sharing Culture Instead, we gently express what we believe without being critical or judgmental. This is why someone like Coco Chanel could say that gentleness doesnt get things done. Its a quality of character. So, what does gentleness mean? So, what does gentleness mean? A common misconception is that gentleness is weakness or passivity. Masters of Self | Desiring God In a world that can often be harsh and violent, the ability to show gentleness is a true strength. The Bible has a lot to say about gentleness. In the New Testament Jesus comes as the perfect example of being gentle and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29). However, God calls us to a higher standard. The New Testament. 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). Your email address will not be published. Its not easy to achieve but worth striving for because then you can live at peace with yourself and others all around you. Cognate: 4240 prats (compare 4236 /prats, another feminine noun which is also derived from the root pra-, emphasizing the divine origin of the meekness) - meekness ("gentle strength") which expresses power with reserve and gentleness. The power of our words can be life-giving and diffuse a tense situation. And it is to those who are gentle and meek who will inherit the earththe gentle are the ones who receive Gods rescue. Of all the character traits which could have been part of the fruit of the Spirit, why is gentleness in that list? of Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. It should not be seen as a weakness, but rather as a strength. The Fruit of Gentleness Leads to Blessing - MichaelChristian.us Jesus has been relentlessly showing me that my character IN HIM is gentleness & self-control. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. The good news is that Gentleness can be learned. Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. He was always willing to forgive those who had sinned against him and he always treated others with respect, no matter who they were. 5. Its not a weakness, but a strength. In short, gentleness is an essential ingredient in good parenting. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 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. When we celebrate leaders who get things done but do so in a way entirely contrary to Christ, we are tainting our hearts. It is amazing how ONE small act of kindness shown to our spouses can change the atmosphere of an entire day. And God in Christ is exemplified by the gentleness with which he labored among others. You could also have the children play the role . Why is it important for us to follow Gods example of gentleness? Not only does it mean being kind to people who are kind to you, but also it means being kind even when someone isnt nice back! God himself spoke to Elijah as a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). But what does it mean to be gentle? 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. The fruit of the Spirit is essentially the character of Jesus. 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. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Your email address will not be published. In the Greek written long before the NT came about, the noun meant "gentleness, mild friendliness" (DNTT). Luke 22:42, John 4:34, 7:16-17. He supposed that the prisoners had escaped. In Galatians it is a mark of being led by the Spirit and it is shown as an example of walking in step with the Spirit in Galatians 6:1. He can exercise each office concurrently while at the same time not neglecting any of the other attributes . 3. Peace (Galatians 5:22) | Bible.org In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the LXX, the word prautes appears 12 times, and 11 times in the New Testament. I have been helped in the area of gentleness, Youre welcome glad to hear its helpful! and pushy. So glad to hear it was encouraging to you it is extra challenging to be gentle when we feel like our needs are being intruded on. But it is also important to remember that he was a man who was deeply compassionate and full of mercy. It is a positive trait that can help you improve your relationships with others and even yourself. 9. Knowing themselves to be subject to weakness, they can more readily deal gently with the ignorant and the erring. This is why this grace is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. We grow in gentleness much in the way that we grow in every fruitwe abide in Jesus. Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselveswith compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). The Sinful Nature vs. the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 The opposite of peace is not war, it's fear. Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on examples of gentleness in the bible, goodness definition bible, bible characters who showed gentleness, and so much more. What the Bible is . 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. Galatians 5:22-25. 4.) Its about how we treat others, even when they dont treat us well. I'm Christina, a mom of three who is passionate about helping Christian parents and caregivers tend to their children with the full character of Jesus, including his gentleness. In our increasingly polarized society, Christians are also succumbing to the idea that what we really need is brute strength to get things done. Take out time to visit our Website for more information on similar topics. Required fields are marked *. Talk to a trusted friend or counselor about the hurt youve experienced. We need His help to be gentle! Gentleness remembers that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and we are all trying to find our way through this ungentle world. Gentleness is something Christians must learn. 11:29 NIV). Gentleness comes from a state of humility. There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. 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). 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. List of Opposites In the Bible - Bible Things that are Poles Apart 5 Jun. This means that when gentleness exists in your life, its because God has planted it there. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. There are many benefits to being gentle. 13 Best Ways to Live Out Gentleness in the Bible Christ himself was a model of gentleness, and he calls us to follow his example. The opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandizement. Click here to show subject links in the text for more information. But the more we come to know the God who holds our future, as well as where God is taking us, the less prone we will be to carry around a harsh and bitter spirit within our hearts. When Jesus needed to not be interupted, he went off to a place to pray- my sons understand when I am in my room with the door closed. Resentfulness and divisiveness. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. He is slow to anger and forgiving of sinners. But thats ignorant of Roman history and the state of corruption within the religious leaders in his day. Doing so creates a closer connection and will save you from needless hardships in your relationships.