07.13.22 | The Fruit of Gentleness
In Galatians 5, Paul encourages the church of Galatia to walk in the Spirit –something we all desire to do as followers of Jesus, as we commit to practicing his way. In verses 22-23, Paul then specifies that the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
This week, we will be focusing on the fruit of gentleness as we continue through the four steps of FAST:
- Focus: Find a quiet place to settle your mind and open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
- Adoration: Spend time honoring and exalting God, tell him what you appreciate about him. Contemplate on who he is and what he has done. You might even be able to get a sense of his presence with you.
- Speak: Commune with God, taking moments to both speak to him about what’s on your heart and to pause and listen for his voice. Use journals to write down what you hear him say. Ask simple follow up questions like, “is there anything else you’d like me to know about [fill in the topic]” to really get to the heart of what Jesus wants to communicate to you and what you want to say to him or plead for while you fast.
- Transform: Commit to taking active steps to change or address what the Lord revealed during your time of fasting.
During the third step, Speak, ask God what he wants you to know about his gentleness. Ask him to remind you of times when he has been gentle with you, and what that has looked and felt like.
Prayerfully consider this: God, who created everything and knows everything, loves his people, loves you, and wants a relationship with each of us. God is not forceful in his desire to be in communion with us, but instead displays his gentleness to us.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17
God also demonstrates his gentleness through his forgiveness of our sins. He does not condemn, but is gentle in his invitation.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
- In what areas of your life do you long to experience God’s gentleness?
- How is God inviting you to experience his gentleness?
- Who is God inviting you to extend his gentleness towards? What would that look like?
During the last step, Transform, spend time with the Spirit, focusing on ways you can be gentle with others. Perhaps there are specific people in your life that God desires you to be gentle with. Once you have determined what action steps the Lord is calling you to, commit to following through.
Additionally, we encourage you to confess your sins to a brother or sister in your community who can then extend God’s forgiveness to you. This an excellent way to receive his gentleness today.