A Gentle Approach

Fruit of the Spirit Series

The Power To Change Your Life

Gentleness

Hearts are flowers; they remain open to the

softly falling dew, but shut up in the violent
downpour of rain. Jean Paul Richter
Gentleness Strength under control
Let your gentleness be evident to all. Phil 4:5
(NIV)

Jesus and Moses

Controlling your reaction to people
Choosing your response rather than
reacting

Gentleness at work

People who serves you Be

understanding, not demanding
Each of you should look not only to your own
interests, but also the interests of others. Your
attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus. Phil 2:4-5 (NIV)

Are you rude or demanding? Indifferent and

impersonal?
Good place to start at home
Wives
Your beautyshould be that of your inner self,
the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is of great worth in Gods sight. 1 Peter
3:3-4 (NIV)

Gentleness at work

Husbands
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as
you live with your wives, and treat them with
respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with
you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will
hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)

Gentleness at work

People who disappoints you Be

gracious, not judgmental
Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who
are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch
yourself, or you also may be tempted. Gal. 6:2
(NIV)

Temptation to be judgmental, holier than

thou attitude
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing
judgment on disputable matters. Rom. 14:1
(NIV)

People who mess up their lives

-

I told you so
I could see it coming
It serves you right
How could you be so dumb

Jesus dealing with the woman caught

committing adultery

Gentleness at work
-

Accepting one another just as Christ

accepted you
Accept one another, then , just as Christ
accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Rom. 15:7 (NIV)

Dont rub it IN but rub it OUT

Gentleness at work

People who disagrees with you Be

tender without surrender
Cannot please everyone
Test of spiritual maturity
3 ways alternatives:
Retreat in fear
Peace at any price hidden costs to
relationships
React in anger
Insecure and threatened
Can be sarcastic and attack persons selfworth
Respond in gentleness
Be tender without surrendering convictions
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh
word stirs up anger. Prov. 15:1 (NIV)

Gentleness at work
Jealousy and selfishness the cause of many
problems
For where you have envy and selfish ambition,
there you find disorder and every evil practice. But
the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive,
full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3:16-17 (NIV)

Dont sweat the small stuff

Agree to disagree agreeably
Gentleness - qualification for leadership
And the Lords servant must not quarrel; instead
he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not
resentful. Those that oppose him he must gently
instruct, in the hope that God will grant them
repentance leading them to a knowledge of the
truth. 2 Tim. 2:24-25 (NIV)

Gentleness at work

People who corrects you Be teachable,

not unreachable
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to
speak and slow to become angry James 1:19
(NIV)

If we do first 2, the 3rd will take care of itself

Need to heed correction
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and
shame, but whoever heeds correction is
honored. Prov. 13:18 (NIV)

How to end up lonely in life never admit

any mistakes
Gentleness mean you are willing to admit
when you are wrong

Gentleness at work

Are we humble, teachable? it can make a

difference to our salvation
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil
that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word
planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21
(NIV)

Are you willing to learn from your spouse,

family, close friends, church leaders, fellow
brethren?

Gentleness at work

When people hurts you Be an actor,

not reactor
Actor one initiates the action
Example of Jesus at the trial
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not
retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.
Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges
justly. 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV)

Power of action Dont repay evil for evil;

do not take revenge - Rom. 12:17-21
To retaliate is to react, to forgive is to act
When you react, you allow the other person
to control your feelings and actions
Is you happiness level controlled by others?
Syndey Harriss friend and newsstand man
I dont want him to decide how Im going to
react.

Gentleness at work

Unbelievers Respect them, dont reject

them
Evangelism is not to put down others
Acceptance does not mean to approve of
sinful lifestyles sinner vs. sin
Share your hope with gentleness and
respect
Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who asks you to give a reason for the
hope that you have. But do this with gentleness
and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

2 ways to get an egg out of an eggshell

Crack it
Let it incubate in warm, loving environment
and hatch itself
Same for how we share the gospel

Gentleness at work
Summary of Gentleness at work

People who serves you

Be understanding, not demanding
People who disappoints you
Be gracious, not judgmental
People who disagrees with you
Be tender without surrender
People who corrects you
Be teachable, not unreachable
When people hurts you
Be an actor, not reactor
Unbelievers
Respect them, dont reject them

The Fruit of the Spirit isGentleness

Blessings of being Gentle

More relaxed lifestyle

More adaptable
Christian example
Glorify God

Remember Gentleness is a fruit of the

Spirit
Not by our own willpower but by surrendering
to Gods Spirit can we develop this loving
fruit in our lives

Next: Developing SelfControl