Fruits of the Spirit: Gentleness
Is anger a problem in your marriage or career? Do you realize the harm it can cause and the negative impact it can have in your personal and professional life?
If you get angry easily, you are likely seen as a liability at work. Unchecked anger causes people to lose jobs and prevents them from getting along with others. And, it can escalate physically. It’s been reported that approximately 2 million people a year are affected by some form of workplace violence.
Gentleness is a fruit of the spirit. Christ cultivates this quality in His people through the Holy Spirit. It’s a willingness to yield to another and to work in humility. It’s the attitude of wanting to help others instead of ruling over them. It flows from a spirit of love and genuine concern demonstrated in word and deed.
Bearing the fruit of gentleness will bless your family, enable you to become a Godly leader and positively affect your financial well-being.
If anger has a stronghold on you, ask the Lord for the wisdom and courage to demolish it. Then, make things right with those you’ve hurt or offended.
God is slow to anger and abounding in love. Jesus, the lamb of God who was led to slaughter, is also our Good Shepherd, who will gather and carry the lambs in his arms and gently lead those with young. He desires that we also walk in gentleness.
He created humanity to respond to kindness. A gentle tongue and touch is how we demonstrate the love of God to those we love in a lost and hurting world.
Paul urges us to walk, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
A spirit of gentleness applies to your money as well, and it starts with giving. As this year comes to a close, I want to invite you to be part of what Crown is doing in the year ahead. By making a generous donation of any amount this month, I’ll send you our brand new video study, Total Life Stewardship. The lessons walk you through 5 stages of success. Give today at crown.org