28 February 2021 (am) – Galatians 5:16-26 – GENTLENESS
 | Andy Bruins preaching from Galatians on Sunday 28th February 2021. |
The seventh part of the fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness.
Older translations use the word ‘meekness’ to refer to this aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. Unfortunately, both of these words carry the connotation of weakness or blandness, like a warm breeze on a summer evening. But the concept behind the word in the Bible is anything but weak!
God Himself is described as gentle (e.g. Isaiah 40:11). Moses, the great leader of the Exodus is described at the meekest man on the earth (Numbers 12:3) and Jesus tells us that He is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
The idea captured in this word then, is that of having great power, might and strength, but rather than letting it loose, like a bull in a china shop, that strength is kept completely under control.
Here’s a brief definition:
Gentleness is strength under control
Q If you were to describe someone as gentle and meek, what do you think people would understand by that?
Q Contrast Isaiah 40, verses 11 and 12. How is God described in each of these verses? How would you describe the gentleness of God seen in v11?
Q Some of the counterfeits of gentleness that we talked about on Sunday are: Passive aggression, false humility and being a doormat; What do these look like? How are they a false version of gentleness?
Q The gentle Christian knows that in Christ they have great strength (see 2 Timothy 1:7-8). How do we know when it’s the right time to make a stand?
Q How might gentleness be seen in the local church? (2 Timothy 2:24-26, Galatians 6:1)
