Jump Start # 3642

Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”

I have come to really like this passage. I have known some gentle brethren. They are kind and thoughtful. The way they correct is a showcase of patience and love. Others word this expression, ‘let your gentle spirit be known to all men’ as:

• Let your reasonableness be known to everyone (ESV)
• Have a reputation for gentleness (Phillips)
• Let your graciousness be known to everyone (CSB)

Now, just how does one accomplish this? How do you let your gentle spirit be known to all? How do others know this about us? One could tell everyone, but in doing so, he has just lost humility and many wouldn’t believe him. The best way, is simple to treat everyone gently. I guess the reason why I like this is that I want to be more like that. There are times when I’m ready to enter a conversation with guns blazing. I can get my point across that way, but I have also made a mess of things. Gentle spirit is the way to go.

Here are some things to consider:

First, be gentle in your words. This covers both the choice of your words and the tone of your words. Be thoughtful. James tells us to be slow to speak. In that slowness, we are thinking, listening, praying. I was watching the table tennis matches in the recent Olympics. I grew up calling that ping pong. It is amazing how fast that ball flies across the table. As soon as one serves, the other is ready to hit it back. That works great in that sport, but no so great in conversations. Firing words back rapidly, doesn’t allow much time for things to sink in, reflect and consider. Much too often we are more interested in defending our position, our selves than helping someone out. A gentle person listens. A gentle person is kind in his words and kind with his words.

There is a huge difference between sandpaper and a soft blanket. Make sure you don’t apply sandpaper to others. A gentle spirit comforts, encourages and helps. A gentle spirit allows for conversations and differences to be expressed. A gentle spirit is concerned about the outcome and consequences.

Second, one who is gentle will attract people. You want to talk to a gentle person. He’s kind. He’s helpful. Jesus was this way. This is why people couldn’t stay away from Him. Had He spoken harshly, people would have fled in fear. Shepherds and parents especially need to be gentle. Feelings are tender. Some have great ideas that just need to be channeled in a better direction. A quick “no,” shuts down communication and stifles ideas and suggestions. Gentle in how you treat others. Be the person that people want to go to. Let your gentle spirit be known. In time, others will tell others about you. You can talk to him, he’ll listen. You can take your question to him, he’ll be honest and fair. That’s how the gentle spirit becomes known.

Some folks are like hugging a porcupine. It’s going to hurt and sometimes it’s going to hurt a lot.

Being gentle doesn’t mean you are a push-over. It doesn’t mean being soft on doctrine. It doesn’t mean you can’t draw a line in the sand. One can be gentle and yet bold. It’s not a choice between the two. Correcting with gentleness is what Paul wanted the preacher Timothy to do. The Galatians were to restore with gentleness. Peter wrote that we are to be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks about our hope. But we are to do this in the spirit of gentleness.

Name-calling, insulting and getting ugly ought not to be in the arsenal of a Christian.

Third, we must remember that God has been gentle with us. His word. His grace. His patience. His love. It’s hard to be rough with someone else when we remember how gentle the Lord has been with us. It took some of us a long time to get with the Lord. Others have bounced in and out of the world, been back and forth, so many times, yet, there is the Lord, looking for us, waiting for us, being kind with us.

Some names bring the image of an athlete or a politician or an actor. Your name ought to bring the picture of a gentle person. That’s what the Lord wants you to be.

Roger