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The Eight
Part of the Fruit of the Spirit
GENTLENESS
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Galatians
5:22-23 But the fruit [or production] of the Spirit is love [a
reference to virtue-love], joy [inner happiness], peace [inner
peace and overt prosperity], patience [which refers to patience as
well as longsuffering], kindness, [or graciousness], goodness,
[the production of divine good], faithfulness,
gentleness,
and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [We can’t
get these by works.]
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Gentleness.
Another word for gentleness is humility. When we have gentleness,
or humility, we have the right attitude and we can be taught. As
believers, we learn the thinking of Jesus Christ through Bible
doctrine. With this thinking we learn to correctly judge
ourselves. We admit our mistakes and make changes where needed. We
depend on God and Bible doctrine to guide us in the plan of God.
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When we have gentleness, we are free from
arrogance. This means that we don’t pretend to be more than we
really are. We are happy to be just the way God made us! We know
that everything we have comes from God. We are dependent on God!
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1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and
His grace to me was not without effect [meaning results].
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When we recognize, respect, and
obey legitimate authority, we are humble. Legitimate authority is
God’s authority and the authority He gives to the people in charge
of us. We follow their directions. We take responsibility for our
actions! This is humility!
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Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey you parents in the Lord, for this
is right. “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first
commandment with a promise – “that it may go well with you and
that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
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When we have gentleness, we
are able to forgive others. To really forgive someone, we have to
excuse him or her from the wrong he or she did to us. We can’t
even bring it up again. We have to forget it, just like God has
forgotten our wrongs. We have to leave it in the hands of the
Lord. We can only do this through
the power of the Holy Spirit and doctrine in our souls. We have to
know God and depend on Him! We have to abide in the Vine!
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Luke
17:4 If someone sins against you seven times a day, and returns to
you seven times, saying, “I repent,” forgive him.
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To be willing to forgive
takes concentrating on Bible doctrine. What really counts in our
life is how much doctrine we have in our souls. If we learn,
believe, and use Bible doctrine, the thinking of Jesus Christ, we
will not be arrogant. When we are arrogant, we aren’t able to
forgive others. So, we have to concentrate on the Lord Jesus
Christ’s thoughts.
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Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be
forgiven.
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We can look to Jesus as the
One Who is responsible for our forgiveness. He paid the price for
our sins. He was treated unjustly, but through the grace of God,
He was able to forgive those who treated Him badly. Jesus had the
greatest humility and was the most gentle person. He was able to
be this way through the power of the Holy Spirit and Bible
doctrine in His soul. We have that same power and can use the same
thinking! Let’s focus on Jesus and Bible doctrine and depend on
the Holy Spirit to make us gentle, humble, and forgiving.
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Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and
dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as
the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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The
Eighth Part of the Fruit of the Spirit
Gentleness
References used:
Robert R.McLaughlin Bible Ministries
www.gbible.org
Lessons: 8-17-05,
8-18-05, 8-19-05
Tree of Life: 8-21-05
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