The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

I am not sure Christians know what gentleness is.  I have written comments on Facebook, where Christians who I know and respect, have become vile and angry in their replies.  The subjects of the matter are not the issue, but the response.   Our response in all cases should reflect the Fruit of the Spirit.

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

All people, non-Christian as well as Christian, should behave in this manner simply out of politeness, but Christians should because The Holy Spirit dwells within us and His fruit should be shining forth from us.

I have a sister in the Lord who wrote a post about Obama and got many nasty replies.  The vileness of them was threatening.  What are we becoming when we shun the fruit of the Spirit for angry words which display hate and evil?  We are to be Children of the light, Children of God, but we sink to become Children of the darkness and Children who speak the words of Satan himself.

Matthew 10:16 says that Jesus is sending us out like sheep among wolves.  The Christian is to be like a harmless sheep among vicious wolves.  The world wants to tear us apart.  Let us not help the world by tearing each other apart as well.

We also are not to stop speaking the truth of God or against people, laws, or anything else which is a Godless abomination against the will of God.  Matthew says Jesus is sending us out.  He is not keeping us in a safe barn but sending us out among the wolves to proclaim what is true and good.

Speak forth the truth Christians.  Speak the truth with love and gentleness and shine forth the light of God.  You are not called to be silent, but to tell the world about righteousness and salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Photo Credit: Fruit of the Spirit Graphics by Sapphire Dream Photography