Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV)
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (Eph 4:1-2 NKJV)
To become more gentle let’s begin to look closely at our attitudes. The meaning of attitude in Merriam Webster’s dictionary is a mental position with regard to a fact or state; or, as many of us would be familiar with, a negative attitude! I call it “the skunk’s aroma” because a bad attitude leaves an awful smell that others don’t want to get close too.
So how is your aroma?
Gentleness is essential for those of us who want to walk worthy of our calling. How can we identify if we are gentle? Here are some questions we must ask ourselves in order for us to answer that question.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22 NKJV)
First of all, ask yourself, do I have self-control? Do I rule my spirit? Proverbs 16:32 reads “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,”
Does your temper often rule over your spirit?
When someone accuses you of something, do you immediately defend yourself? Or, are you inclined to consider if there’s any truth in what was said? Second, do you get upset only when you are dishonored, rejected, or left out? Do you become angry when you have sinned?
Next, do you always seek to make peace? Gentle people are peacemakers, (Eph 4:3 NKJV) endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
If someone close to you falls into sin, do you condemn or gossip about that person?
Gossip and condemnation divide the closest of friends and families. Forgiveness and restoration unite them. Gentle people do not start arguments, they end them!
Be Gentle by Nature
Jesus was gentle by nature; this was shown in his dealings with many sinners and those who opposed his teachings. We are to follow his examples.
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. (Mathew 11:29 NKJV)
If we are persecuted, it’s easy for us to think “they can’t treat us that way. I’m a child of God!” But, God desires for us to approach the unsaved with all gentleness, realizing that is how God reached out to us before we were saved.
Titus 3:1-2 reads Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Consider carefully your answers to the questions above as we reflect inward. Let us commit ourselves to be characterized by gentleness. Remember that a gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in the sight of God.
Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV)
Prayer
Father in heaven, you are a wonderful God who gently and lovingly corrects us. We need you Lord; we cannot walk according to Your will without Your help and guidance. Anoint us with Your gentle and quiet spirit that we are able to walk as You walked. Correct us in those areas of our lives that are not pleasing in Your sight, helping us to check our hearts that they may not be hard toward others. May Your will be done through us and in us as we choose to be humble and gentle.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
