I’m going to continue with the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. Today’s topic is gentleness sometimes also translated meekness. It’s not a very well known fruit — as I don’t hear much about it these days. But throughout human history it was a wonderful trait to meet in other people. When I think of this fruit I actually think of a Knight and his code, and his demeanor. Not the glorified Hollywood type — but when you read real history. To understand it’s definition you need to go to the Greek (Strongs #4236) and look at the references in scripture where it is used. Look these up: 1 Corinthians 4:21, 2 Corinthians 10:1, Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:12, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:25, Titus 3:2.
Here is the definition: The disposition to be gentle, kind, indulgent, even balanced in tempers and passions, and patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge. Meekness begins with the Lord’s inspiration and finishes by His direction and empowerment. It is a divinely – balanced virtue that can only operate by faith.
This fruit is not weak in any way. Actually it’s tremendous power in restraint. Obviously you have to have self control for this fruit to even exist. It is the precursor to a really well developed fruit of long suffering. It takes restraint to be gentle. To be meek as a Godly attribute it takes understanding Him in an intimate way. The fruit will never bully or force it’s own way, but will wait on the Lord’s instructions, and then move decisively.
This is definitely a missing component in this days culture. And it’s a fruit the Holy Spirit wants to produce in all of us. There is a strong divine impartation component in this fruit, meaning that the Holy Spirit actually moves within and inspires an individual to display this fruit. This fruit nurtures when it has to, and is gentle in sharing the Truth with understanding.
As you can probably tell this fruit is very hard to display and produce when you are are stressed and in the midst of chaos. But for that matter all the fruit can suffer under those types of circumstances and situations.
So when I encounter something like this that I don’t know much about – I do a ‘deep dive’ with my Biblehub app looking at the word or subject while asking the Holy Spirit what He wants to teach me.
I try to ask Him questions that will help me understand better, like …. What does it take for the fruit to be produced? What would hinder development of this fruit? Would you please tell me who has a well developed handle on this fruit in my circle of life? Then I would go talk with the individual and ask them questions.
Do you think you have some of this fruit? What could you do to receive / produce more of this fruit?