Be Gentle
Paul writes to the Christians in Ephesus: "Be completely humble and gentle." (Ephesians 4:2)
The Power of Gentleness
Dealing with people takes a certain gentleness, which I think comes easier to some people than to others. Some people are naturally gentle personalities, others are naturally more outspoken. You'll probably find that the naturally gentle ones need to learn to be a little more assertive, and the naturally outspoken ones need to learn to be a little more gentle.
Jesus, of course, balanced the two beautifully. He could be tough when necessary. But most of the time we see in Him a gentleness when dealing with people.
Jim Christy, a Nazarene minister, says this about gentleness, and I think it's very profound: "Gentleness means to avoid using your strength or powers to harm someone weaker than you. You cannot be gentle unless you are strong."
I like that!
How God Models Gentleness for Us
How gentle God is in His dealings with me! I have found again and again and again, that God draws near to me - gently. God corrects me - gently. God teaches me - gently. I keep thinking that He is going to explode in anger with me, but instead He is gentle. As the old hymn says, "softly and tenderly Jesus is calling." He could yell and perform, but He is gentle.
His standards are high. He expects much from me and you. It's not that He just overlooks all things and doesn't demand obedience and holiness. But He calls us to these things as a gentle father, not as a brutish slave-driver. He uses His strength not to harm or weaken us, but to gently guide and care for us. Praise God for His gentleness in dealing with His people.
So, in your dealings with people, are you gentle? Or harsh, attacking, rude, biting? The Spirit-filled person is gentle, tender, kind, considerate. The Spirit-less person is vindictive, and aggressive.
Ask God today to make you more like Him - gentle in strength, and kind in all your dealings with difficult people.
Jesus demonstrated that sometimes silent dignity speaks louder than words, especially when facing opposition or accusation. Learn when to respond with majestic silence rather than defending yourself with endless words.