What Is the Fruit of Gentleness?
To many, the idea of gentleness conveys a wimpy form of Christianity. Yet gentleness, the penultimate quality of the listed fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in our lives, needs consideration. We learn from Scripture that it is essential to the life of the Christian, the leadership of the church, and the love of Christ.
A Fruit Essential to the Life of the Christian
The word translated gentleness in Galatians 5:22–23 means “meekness, mildness of disposition, tenderness in spirit.” The word James uses to describe the gentleness of heavenly wisdom means “reasonable, equitable, patiently hearing and deciding on a matter, not overly strict” (James 3:17). These qualities must be present in the life of the believer. Their absence indicates the presence of an evil substitute.
Have you considered what opposes gentleness? According to Scripture, unrighteous anger is its antithesis. The fruit of the Spirit is contrasted with the deeds of the flesh. These are “enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions” (Gal. 5:20). Additionally, Proverbs 15:1 says,
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger. (NASB)
Where gentleness is absent, anger is found in such places as a Christian home where a man yells at his family, in churches where members divide the body, and on social media where people feverishly share biting comments. Christians must learn to bridle their emotions by speaking the truth in love, demonstrating that gentleness is connected to the last fruit of the Spirit: self-control.
A Fruit Essential to the Leadership of the Church
In the list of qualities for elders recorded in 1 Timothy 3, Paul emphasizes the man’s character over the gifts he possesses or the doctrine he knows. He describes a Christian leader as “not violent but gentle” (1 Tim. 3:3). Gentleness is contrasted with a hot-tempered and hurtful demeanor. Elders are to shepherd the flock of God by caring for them gently. As elders are often challenged and criticized, they must be men who meet these attacks with this grace. Otherwise, they will respond with fleshly anger, further damaging the people of God rather than protecting and loving them.
As I write this article, I am mourning the loss of my last living seminary professor, Dr. Wayne Spear. He served as the professor of systematic theology for thirty-five years at the seminary where I teach. Dr. Spear was the epitome of a “gentleman theologian.” He taught the doctrines of the faith with dignity and warmth toward students. His character was like that of Ligonier’s founder, Dr. R.C. Sproul. Doctrine, for them, was not used for arguing or creating dissension, but for deepening the church’s love for God and for one another. How this fruit is needed more than ever in Reformed churches today.
A Fruit Essential to the Love of Christ
When we look at the life, heart, and teaching of Jesus, we see His gentle spirit and ways. In teaching, He called to people, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). In dealing with the lost, He did so meekly. He touched the leper, spoke graciously to the woman at the well, and allowed a woman to wash His feet with her hair. In heading to the cross, He entered Jerusalem with these prophetic words fulfilled in Him:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” (Matt. 21:5)
The word “humble” in Matthew 21:5 is the same word translated as “gentle” in Matthew 11:29. The focal point of Christ’s love—His substitutionary death on the cross—shows that gentleness is essential.
We should know this as we look at the cross. At any moment, God could justly have brought judgment upon us for our sins. God is just and His righteous anger is real. Every wrong must be made right. Yet the Lord held back His wrath, patiently waiting to satisfy justice, which He did by crucifying His Son. Think again of Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Christ is the gentle answer of heaven. As Proverbs 15:4 says,
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
The gospel is to be lived and proclaimed with a gentle spirit and lovingkindness toward all, as we pray that the Spirit will draw sinners to the Savior.
