Today we are continuing our series on the Fruits of the Spirit and discussing Gentleness, Kindness, and Meekness. In this episode, we will explore the meaning of these terms, how they relate to one another, and what they tell us about how to live our lives.
What are the Fruits of the Spirit?
Before we dive into these specific Fruits, let’s take a moment to review what the Fruits of the Spirit are. According to Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Each of these Fruits represents a character trait that Christians should strive to embody in their daily lives.
Gentleness, Kindness, and Meekness
Gentleness, Kindness, and Meekness are three Fruits of the Spirit that are closely related. Gentleness is defined as having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character. Meekness is defined as “quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on.” Kindness is defined as moral goodness, integrity, and benignity.
These Fruits instruct us to love even when we want to hate, seek revenge, or lash out. Gentleness and Kindness are about showing grace and love in spite of what is happening. Meekness reminds us to be quiet and humble, to not impose our own will on others, but rather to submit to the will of God.
Doing Good to Those Who Hurt Us
Jesus taught us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hurt us. In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus tells us that we must not just endure, but that we must outwardly love and do good for those who hurt us, abuse us, mistreat us, or hate us. Patience is good, but Gentleness and Kindness are where it is at. We need to not just endure the things that happen to us, but do good to those who are hurting us when we are enduring.
The Opposites of the Fruits
The opposites of Gentleness, Kindness, and Meekness are harshness and pride. Pride ultimately causes us to be harsh with others. A person sees someone who is a criminal, and they aren’t a criminal, so they feel it’s right to be harsh. Or they don’t care about the harshness of a system because they don’t intend on being part of it. Harshness and pride are rooted in selfishness, hypocrisy, and envy, which ultimately cause us to withhold kindness and gentleness from others.
Conclusion
In this episode, we explored Gentleness, Kindness, and Meekness, three Fruits of the Spirit that teach us to love and do good to others, even when it is difficult. We also learned that the opposites of these Fruits are rooted in selfishness, hypocrisy, and envy, which ultimately cause us to withhold kindness and gentleness from others. We hope that you have enjoyed this episode of the Jesus Name News Podcast and that you will join us next time for another discussion on the Fruits of the Spirit.
Listen to this episode of the Jesus Name News Podcast!
092 – Fruit of the Spirit: Gentle & Meek
This week on the Jesus Name News Podcast, we are continuing our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, specifically looking at gentleness, kindness, and meekness. Join us as we discuss how these virtues are intertwined, how they relate to loving our neighbors, and how they can be replaced by selfishness, envy, and hypocrisy. We also explore the importance of serving others and the dangers of pride in our relationships with those around us. It’s a thought-provoking and inspiring episode that you won’t want to miss!