CCF: Be Gentle

Bro. Jay Singson

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. --Matthew 5:5(NASB)

Different translations of the Bible use the word gentle as meek, humble, kind-hearted, sweet-spirited, self-controlled. Generally speaking, these are the same words that best describes our mothers.

Legit gentleness is not found on people with low self-worth, allowing others to walk over or blame them, lacks conviction and complacent. Gentle comes from the Greek word “Praus” which means mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit and meekness. In the Bible, “praus” describes a man or a woman whose temper is always under complete control. He/she knows when to be angry and when not to be angry. Someone who patiently bears wrongs to him/herself but is ever chivalrously ready to spring to the help of others who are wronged.

But being gentle is easier said than done. One thing we can do is to stop figuring out what to do or what not to do but strive to learn how you can become. Learning about The Beatitudes, we cannot be selective of the character we want to be. The Beatitudes is progressive, something transformative from inside out as the person encounter Jesus Christ.

Image courtesy of www.ourbeulah.com

Matthew 5

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

-- I cannot find happiness on my own. I am spiritually bankrupt.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

-- I grieve over this spiritually bankruptcy.

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

-- As you ready to receive the comfort from God, you become an empty cup ready to be filled with God’s righteousness.

“The blessings of the Beatitudes are for those who are realistic about their sinfulness, who are repentant of their sins, and who are responsive to God in His righteousness.” – John MacArthur

The Beatitudes are like keys to true happiness that will unlock the door in reaching the goal to Christlikeness. As we focus on the third blessing in The Beatitudes, there are several verses in the Bible that encourages believers who has the Holy Spirit to be gentle just like Jesus Christ himself.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:3-8

True meekness resides in Jesus Christ. He manifests humility but also shows righteous anger when necessary. And as we follow him, we are to deny ourselves as well.

And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. – Mark 8:34

According to Warren Wiersbe, “Denying self is not the same as self-denial. We practice self-denial when, for a good purpose, we occasionally give up things or activities. But we deny self when we surrender ourselves to Christ and determine to obey His will.” Denying self means being concerned with the welfare of other people than yourself.

Ultimately a person who manifests praus is the one who imitates Jesus enabled of course by the power of His indwelling Spirit.

How to be truly gentle?

-       We need the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

-       Display power under control.

-       Other-centeredness instead of self-centeredness.

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