TODAY’S VERSE:

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

The dictionary defines gentle as free from harshness, sternness, or violence; having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character, and gentleness as the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered; softness of action or effect; lightness.

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is gentle, as well as God’s wisdom.

Matthew 11:29 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.

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

We are commanded to be gentle and told that those who are gentle are blessed.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 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.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.

Today’s verse tells us that our gentleness should be obvious to those around us. It is not always easy to be gentle with others, especially if we are angry or have been hurt by them. But, the Bible tells us that if we are gentle instead of harsh or mean, we are able to prevent arguments, turning situations of anger into ones of peace.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Gentleness does not come naturally to most people. That is not a problem for us believers in Jesus Christ, though, because gentleness is another Fruit of the Spirit.

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

This is the seventh Kids’ Corners written on the Fruit of the Spirit, so we should all understand what this means for us. As we get to know and develop a relationship with God by reading our Bibles, praying, and obeying His commands, He makes us more and more like Jesus Christ. The more we grow in His Word, the more we will rely on the Holy Spirit to help us live righteously every day, just like Jesus did. The Holy Spirit will give us the power to be gentle, even when others are not being gentle towards us. Being gentle towards others will give us the opportunity to be at peace with them. This peace becoming a wonderful way we can reveal the love of God to the world!

Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.