The Power of Gentleness: Cultivating Healing and Restoration in an Age of Outrage

The Power of Gentleness: A Spiritual Medicine for an Age of Outrage

In the fast-paced and opinionated world we live in, anger seems to be everywhere. It inflames our public discourse, disrupts our families, and distorts the church's witness to the world. We are living in an age of outrage. But amidst the chaos, there is a virtue that can bring healing and restoration. That virtue is gentleness.

Gentleness is often misunderstood. It is not weakness or mere "niceness." Instead, it is a form of self-mastery that flows from humility and the fear of the Lord. It is a virtue that Christians are called to cultivate in their lives, and it is a virtue that is desperately needed in our world today.

The Vice of Anger

Before we can understand the power of gentleness, we must first recognize the destructive force of anger. Anger is a vice that can consume our thoughts, our actions, and our relationships. It blinds us to the truth, distorts our perception, and leads to a host of other sins. The apostle Paul warns us in Ephesians 4:31 to "get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger." In Colossians 3:8, he urges us to "put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech."

Anger is not a virtue that we should proudly display, but rather a vice that we should strive to overcome. It is a manifestation of our fallen nature and a hindrance to our spiritual growth. As Christians, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), and that includes letting go of anger and embracing the virtue of gentleness.

The Virtue of Gentleness

So what exactly is gentleness? Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and a reflection of Christ's character. Jesus describes himself as "gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29). It is a virtue that flows from a heart that is surrendered to God and seeks to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Gentleness is not a passive or weak response to conflict. It is not the absence of strength, but rather the exercise of strength under control. It is the ability to respond to others with kindness, patience, and understanding, even in the face of provocation or injustice. It is an expression of love and compassion, rooted in humility and a deep reverence for God.

In Titus 3:2, Paul instructs Titus to remind the believers to "be gentle to all men." In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter urges his readers to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect." Gentleness is not an optional virtue for Christians; it is a necessary mark of our identity as followers of Christ.

Cultivating Gentleness

As with any virtue, gentleness is something that must be cultivated and nurtured in our lives. It is not something that comes naturally to us, but rather something that we must intentionally pursue. So how can we cultivate gentleness in our lives?

1. Seek Humility

Humility is the foundation of gentleness. It is recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses, and acknowledging our dependence on God. When we humble ourselves before God, we are able to extend grace and kindness to others, even when they may not deserve it. Humility allows us to see others through the eyes of Christ and respond to them with gentleness.

Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." When we value others above ourselves, we are able to respond to them with gentleness and love.

2. Practice Self-Control

Gentleness requires self-control. It is the ability to restrain our own desires and impulses in order to respond to others in a loving and gentle manner. It is easy to react in anger or frustration when we are provoked, but true gentleness requires us to exercise self-control and respond with kindness instead.

In Proverbs 16:32, we read, "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." Self-control is a mark of wisdom and strength, and it is essential for cultivating gentleness in our lives.

3. Seek the Spirit's Guidance

We cannot cultivate gentleness on our own strength. It is a fruit of the Spirit, and it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live a life of gentleness. We must constantly seek the Spirit's guidance and rely on his strength to cultivate this virtue in our lives.

Galatians 5:16 tells us, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." When we walk by the Spirit, we are able to overcome the sinful desires of the flesh, including anger, and instead bear the fruit of gentleness.

Drawing from the Fountain of Gentleness

As we seek to cultivate gentleness in our lives, it is important to remember that we do not do so in our own strength. We draw from the fountain of all gentleness, which is Jesus Christ himself.

Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

When we come to Jesus and surrender our lives to him, he fills us with his gentleness. It is through our union with Christ that we are able to draw freely upon his inexhaustible fullness and display his gentleness to the world.

Implications for Today

In an age of outrage, gentleness is a powerful spiritual medicine. It is a virtue that brings healing, restoration, and reconciliation. It is a virtue that allows us to respond to others with love and kindness, even in the midst of conflict and disagreement.

As we face the challenges of this year and the years to come, let us strive to cultivate gentleness in our own lives and encourage others to do the same. Let us be known as people who respond to others with gentleness and respect, who seek to build bridges rather than walls, and who reflect the character of Christ to a world in desperate need of his love and grace.

May we draw from the fountain of all gentleness, Jesus Christ, and allow his gentleness to flow through us into the world.

References:

Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Matthew 11:29:

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.

Ephesians 4:31:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Colossians 3:8:

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Titus 3:2:

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

1 Peter 3:15:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Philippians 2:3-4:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Proverbs 16:32:

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Galatians 5:16:

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.