In Galatians 5:22, Paul writes out the fruits of the Spirit for the Christians at Galatia. There are the big ones that everyone knows: love and hope, and then… gentleness? I have read this verse numerous times, and even memorized it when I was younger, but I never stopped to consider each one until recently.
If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering why Paul would include gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit. Isn’t it kind of obvious that one who follows Christ would be gentle with others? On the surface, you would think so, but let’s look at this a little deeper.
If you want an example of true gentleness, look no further than Jesus. When compared to the Pharisees, Jesus is the epitome of gentleness. He spent time with outsiders and broke bread with the downtrodden. He genuinely cared and had a heart for those others would call “the least of these”. In contrast, the Pharisees were controlling, manipulative, and mean.
It’s clear by Scripture that apart from God’s Spirit leading and guiding us we can do nothing good in our flesh. It takes a act of the Holy Spirit to be gentle, to not retaliate when someone says unkind things to us, or to properly bear another’s burden when we ourselves are hurting.
Contrary to popular belief, gentleness is not a sign of weakness, rather it is a mark of quiet strength that only comes from the Holy Spirit. If gentleness is something you struggle with, ask God to help you practice it.
Here are a few things to consider as you go about your week:
How can you practice gentleness in your relationships?
How can you show gentleness to someone who might be an outsider?
Musings of a Wanderer 
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