JULY 14, Galatians 5:22-23

Have you heard people quarrelling? I am sure you have. But have you heard Have you heard people quarrelling? I am sure you have. But have you heard people quarrelling softly? That is unlikely to happen. When people quarrel, they usually raise their voices and are anything but gentle! rough their raised voices, they may irritate each other, and raise their voices further! If people remember to speak softly even if they disagree, the frequency of quarrels will decrease!

Today we examine an aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit that is not often pursued as a virtue or strength to have – gentleness. Gentleness is submission to God’s will. It is when our selfish nature is tamed by the Lord Himself, when we learn how to show appreciation to the Lord by demonstrating his goodness to others. When we are aware that we have to represent God on earth, we will want to put on the best behaviour for our Saviour. We do not want to be the opposite of gentle – that is to be rude, or rough, or mean, or unkind, or cruel. You may have come across classmates who are like that – rude or mean. Imagine one of them trying to witness for Jesus to a non-Christian child. What a bad testimony that would be!

Another aspect of gentleness is to be considerate of others. When you love someone, you will be considerate of this person. See how gentle mothers are to infants, carrying them and whispering to them in soft, kind voices. We are taught to love each other and thus, we are also to be gentle to each other. Many people mistake gentleness for weakness. Nothing is further from the truth. Jesus was gentle to children and the poor and seeking, but He was and still is the almighty God who created heaven and earth!

Do you speak gently to your friends, especially to those who are slower than you, or not as smart as you, or do not understand as many things as you do?

Dear child, learn and love gentleness. Through gentleness, you will avoid unhappiness. rough gentleness, you will know what real strength is.

Thought: May I learn and love gentleness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, perhaps I have not been a gentle child in the past. Please teach me gentleness that I may be a better witness for Thee. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.