Fruit of the Holy Spirit #8: Gentleness

Fruit of the Holy Spirit #8: Gentleness

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Gentleness can transform lives, environments, and the world around us. While people often associate gentleness with weakness, in reality, gentleness is strength under the Spirit’s control.
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Gentleness is the nature of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is gentle—very different from the violent and aggressive nature of evil spirits.
In today’s competitive world, gentleness is often misunderstood. Many pursue bold and pushy leadership tactics to get things done. But gentleness is not weakness, cowardice, or passivity. It is the Spirit-empowered ability to respond with grace, restraint, and love—even when provoked. Gentleness is strength that submits, power that is harnessed, and wisdom that knows when to stay silent.
Gentleness is:

• Humble strength
  
  
• A mild disposition
  
  
• Controlled power
  
  
• A teachable spirit
  
  

Very few people today are teachable—many assume they know it all.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Only a gentle person can be taught and corrected by the Word. Gentleness is a mark of a soul that has been deeply tamed by the Spirit of God.
This quality was clearly seen in Jesus during His time on earth.
Matthew 11:28–29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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”.
We are called to learn from the One who is gentle in heart.
Jesus was gentle in His responses, even when provoked. In Matthew 11:25, He said: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
In Gethsemane, when soldiers came to arrest Him, Jesus surrendered like a lamb being led to the slaughter. Though He had the power to do anything—even summon angels—He chose gentleness to fulfill the Father’s plan.
However, gentleness does not mean silence or passivity at all times. There were moments when Jesus acted with boldness—like when He cleansed the temple and drove out those who defiled it. Jesus knew when to speak and what to say. He was gentle, yet firm. He corrected with love. True balance only comes when there is gentleness on one side and boldness on the other—like a loving parent who disciplines a child with care.
Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest U.S. Presidents, was known for his gentleness. When asked why he befriended his enemies instead of destroying them, he replied: “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make them my friends?”
Gentleness is not the absence of strength—it is strength under control. Gentleness can disarm what aggression cannot. It has the power to soften hearts and transform lives.
Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
God wants our gentleness to be visible, habitual, and intentional—not hidden or private.
2 Timothy 2:24 “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
Gentleness is not weakness—it is grace in action.
As Charles Spurgeon once said: “A gentle Christian is a powerful weapon in the hands of a mighty God.”
Let us develop this character of Jesus—gentleness, a fruit of the Holy Spirit—in our lives.