Being gentle is part of God’s character and this virtue is highly treasured by Him. Jesus says in the Bible,"a gentle and quiet spirit…is of great worth in God’s sight".
Gentleness is a distinctive trait for the Spirit of God; it is a main attribute of Jesus Christ, and today in all believers the Holy Spirit should be seen through gentleness. Do our words and actions express gentleness to all people, or are we gentle to some but harsh with others? Which is then our real self?
In the Old Testament God spoke to Elijah and it is remarkable to note this scene as to where God spoke from:
“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for He is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but He was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but He was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but He was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
God was not in the powerful wind and was not in the earthquake, was not in the fire, but on the contrary, the Almighty God spoke from the “gentle whisper”.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” – Proverbs 25:15
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29
“By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you…” – 2 Corinthians 10:1
“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Matthew 21:5
“…Gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:23
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” – Philippians 4:5
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
“As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:7
“Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” – 1 Timothy 3
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” – 1 Timothy 6:11
“Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” – 1 Peter 3:4
“But in your hearts set apart 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 and respect…” – 1 Peter 3:15
