“…Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

If someone were asked to describe you, would they describe you as a person who is gentle?

If you’re honest, like me, most of us have never considered ourselves as gentle.

That word for “gentle” in the Greek means “meekness” or “gentle strength.” Meekness ("gentle strength") expresses power with reserve and gentleness.

For the believer, meekness begins with the Lord's inspiration and finishes with His direction and empowerment. It is a divinely balanced virtue that can only operate through faith.

Throughout the Apostle Paul’s letters in the New Testament, he uses the words meekness, gentleness and humility to describe an action that fellow Christians should take towards one another.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

The model for meekness and humility is displayed in none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was the essence of these virtues. The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness, and Jesus was always in the Spirit. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Jesus showed gentleness towards people, especially women, as in the woman at the well, or the woman “caught in adultery.” Where people were ready to condemn one another, Jesus took a different approach.  He showed compassion. He showed kindness. He showed gentleness.

Gentleness and humility go hand in hand. As we grow as Christians, our lives should be evident of the fruit we have received through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the key will be that not only will we see ourselves as gentle and humble, but others will see and describe us as so. The mark of any virtue or trait in us will be shown clearly through our actions towards one another.

Daily, Jesus would be surrounded by people, and He demonstrated all kindness, patience, love and gentleness towards others, not to prove to others that He was all those things but because He truly cared for every one of them. His gentleness and humility were evident because people could witness it with their own eyes that He was those things.

As Christ followers, along with humility we must have patience when we see others who are weak, younger or burdened with questions which they seek to be answered about God, life and purpose. We must come alongside our brother or sister in Christ and share in their experience, while committing to sharing the gospel so that “we might save some.”

“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 (meekness) and respect…” 1 Peter 3:15

Today, ask yourself, am I a gentle person? Would others see me as a person who is humble or meek? If the answer is anything other than yes, then go to the Lord in prayer and ask for Him to reveal to you ways to be gentle towards others.

“Until Christ is formed in you…”