THE POWER OF GENTLENESS
“A gentle answer turns away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1)
The Gospel of John, records seven “I AM” statements of Jesus: “I Am the Bread of Life”, “I Am the Light of the World”, “I Am the Gate for the Sheep”, “I Am the Good Shepherd”, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”, “I Am the Way, Truth, and Life”, and “I Am the True Vine”. The Gospel of Matthew adds another “I AM” statement of Jesus, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt.11:30). More than ever, we need to heed Jesus’ call and example of love through humble gentleness.
Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:23). It’s not just the way we respond to provocation, it’s the lens
through which we, as Christ-followers, view and engage an angry and hateful world! We bring His
gentleness to bear on the world’s wickedness – we overcome evil not by countering back with anger and
hatred, but with His grace and Christ-like gentleness! That’s not easy!… we need the Holy Spirit to mold
our hearts and train us to respond in gentleness.
Jesus can’t use a proud heart because it won’t submit to His will. Pride does not allow
for gentleness, because it will never admit its faults. A humble heart is the secret to embodying
the gentleness of Christ!
So, in a defensive and divided era, the Christian can reveal a better way of engaging and
changing the world around him. It is possible to “turn away wrath” and “overcome evil with
good” by simply giving them “a gentle answer”!
If this article resonates with you, try getting the book by Pastor Scott Sauls (we’ve encountered him with
many a “RightNow Media” lesson many times before!). His book is “A Gentle Answer: Our Secret Weapon
in an Age of Us Against Them”. It’s available on Amazon (e-book/paperback) and Apple podcast.
Have a Happy, Holy Week ahead!
Pastor Vino Atienza
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