Journal
Ping Homilies: Gentleness
7 February 2006 › 11 comments
I have been encouraged / prodded by fellow seminarian Shawn Anthony to respond to this week’s 9rules religion community topic, gentleness. I must admit that I am a bit reluctant to speak on this topic, because it is an area in which I am somewhat lacking. Shawn pointed out in his article that the meek / gentle shall inherit the earth, according to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:5.
In light of that, I think my patch of ground will be standing-room only, because I often lack tact in my manner of speaking. Perhaps describing it as “lacking tact” is being a bit lenient. I think that far too often, I am so zealous to drive my point home, that I let zeal cloud my judgment and override wisdom and reason. While I dispise candy-coated politics, perhaps I could stand to be a bit more sensitive in my exhortations for Christian reform.
I think that boldness and gentleness are held in a certain balance or tension throughout the Bible. I see gentleness not as wimpy, but as tempered restraint, born of concern for others. When Jesus said to “turn the other cheek” in Luke 6:29, it wasn’t because he was powerless to stop any future beatings. I mean, if he had wanted to, he could have called down a fury from heaven more magnificent than any had ever seen. Instead, he allowed himself to be killed on the cross like a common criminal. That’s meekness!
In 2 Samuel 22:34-36 and then later in Psalm 18:32-36, Israel’s King David also spoke of God’s gentleness, juxtaposed by imagery from his battles:
God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. – KJV
It is interesting to see here a great man, who as a mere boy had fearlessly slain the giant warrior Goliath, reciting poetry about the gentleness of the Lord. It seems almost contradictory for a soldier to admit weakness, especially one of David’s military stature. It is key to realize that it was God’s gentleness and mercy in David’s times of rebellion which allowed him to get up, dust himself off, and still be considered a man after God’s own heart.
I’m glad that Shawn emailed me and gave me the necessary motivation to reconsider how I am allowing God’s gentleness to be active in my own life. It’s a lesson that I need to revisit time and again, that playing the tough guy is hardly ever necessary. I just need to chill out, and realize that God has things fully under control, even without my help. I pray you will let God move too.
Discussion + Dissension
Comments closed after 2 weeks.
#1 Robert
We all fail in many areas of life and we each need to be better in many areas. This keeps us reminded of God’s Grace and Jesus’ sacrifice. For even when we were in sin, Jesus died for us.
Thank God for God’s Grace!
#2 Nathan Smith
Robert: Amen to that. Sometimes I feel like a jerk for pushing web standards in a Christian context. Perhaps it’s asking too much for the Church to stay in step with the world technologically. I mean well, but it just comes out wrong.
#3 Robert Spangler
I actually find myself more-so on the other side of the scale, where boldness is what I’m lacking. I’m ok with staying gentle, but sometimes so gentle that I’m probably an alpha percentage away from being invisible.
#4 Dennis Bullock
I am currently studying to be a deacon in my church and this is one of the topics we are currently going over. Jesus was a leader and as gentle as they come. You can be gentle and still have a way about you that is respected and drawn to. As you said Nathan, Christ was gentle as he spoke firmly… this is an important trait that we all should work toward in our walk.
#5 Nathan Smith
Robert: For me, it’s not a matter of retrospectively thinking, “I should’ve said…” but rather, “I was too quick to speak there.” I’ll pray for you to be more bold, and ask that you pray for me to keep my big mouth shut! ;)
Dennis: That’s very true. In the words of Roosevelt: “Walk softly, but carry a big stick,” or in the case of Jesus, carry no weapon at all. I’m just not sure how to speak firmly with conviction, without coming across as overbearing.
#6 Robert Spangler
haha, I don’t know if that will be my exact prayer Nathan :). But I will definitely ask God to help you with it, and thank you for your prayers as well.
#7 Larry
As far as Jesus always being gentle, I’d have to disagree. There was nothing gentle about Him making that huge ruckus in the temple grounds, overturning vendor tables and whatnot. He was certainly a gentle man, but He knew when ‘persuasion’ was necessary. Unfortunately, some people don’t get the message no matter how gentle one might be.
I myself need to learn to be more gentle. I’ll often say what people mean instead of being more tactful, and while sometimes it’s a breath of fresh air in a stale environment, it will someday get me in trouble :)
#8 Robert
Jesus being God knows the heart of men and when one will listen and when one won’t. We don’t always know this.
#9 Nathan Smith
Larry: Good point, about Jesus assessing when it was appropriate to use “excessive force.” For some reason I’m thinking of the COPS theme song! Robert, also a good point that we are not always attune to things the way he was, free of our biases, and therefore should err on the side of gentleness.
#10 Mark
I’m not in seminary school or anything, so I have no basis on my thoughts other than my own personal beliefs. But I feel that gentleness and meekness is referring to acknowledging the power and grace of God, and the weakness of the flesh on its own.
I see gentleness as referring to a calm, quiet, peaceful and assured spirit. Think of a lake on a nice calm day. It’s peaceful, but there is still, flowing under the surface an ebb and flow, tide, stream with plenty of dynamics and power.
As far as meekness is concerned, I see that as people comfortable in being the second fiddle to God, not looking to be a rock star (in the egostical sense) here on earth.
I prefer to see the words gentleness and meekness substituted with calm and assurance. That way, the power of God is not lost upon the folks who would misrepresent the words gentleness and kindness as being weak, powerless and “invisible.”
#11 John
Great stuff Nathan! Tact is definitely a needed asset for those who tend to speak with boldness more times than not (I would include myself on that list). And I am definitely a subscriber of telling/teaching the truth wrapped in a protective coating of love and gentleness.
But… I also believe that the enemy is very strategic in coercing us to take the most awesome things about our walk and paint them in a dark light. I mean, he can take the aspect of gentleness and convince us to be overly-gentle, to the point that we become impotent. Jesus himself gave us the power and strength to live out His victory here on earth and I believe that we must use that power to boldly proclaim truth to those who are blinded by satan’s darkness.
Bold truth and power packaged in the Holy Spirit’s love and approach is a powerful tool that we can better utilize.
steps down off pulpit, returns to job as ordinary flawed human