Tuesday In Other Words

Sting My Heart has chosen the following quote she came across on Proverbs31 Ministry Daily Devotional Blog for this week’s In “other” Words:

“Gentleness is part of being feminine – part of being a woman, and God made us distinctly different from men on purpose!”
~ Melanie Chitwood (Proverbs 31 Ministries) ~

Melanie reflected on Galatians 5:22-23.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

My thoughts on this quote are yes, we as women are different than men but the fruit of the Spirit does not only apply to women.  Gentleness is a characteristic of a Christian whether male or female.  But, I do believe that we as women need to take a double dose of this portion of the fruit. 

The media has a way of portraying women – young and not so young alike – in a light that is far from gentle.  Snappy little brats that must have their way or get the last word. Scripture portrays us much differently:

Gentleness as the dictionary defines it:

1. kindly; amiable: a gentle manner
2. not severe, rough, or violent; mild

Gentleness as the Word of God commands, instructs and invites us to live by:

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

What this looks like and how to apply it to our lives:

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When our focus is on Christ and letting his word dwell in us richly we have the opportunity to bear the fruit of the Spirit.  Since gentleness is part of that fruit, it is one that we can’t just ignore and skip over.  It would be like leaving the house half naked if we forget to clothe ourselves with gentleness.

We as women need to turn our focus on Jesus and learn to live as Colossians 3 is challenging us to live. This world has an alluring, tempting mask that when revealed shows its true ugliness.  Jesus leads us to real beauty with no masks and no lies.

I want to strive to live the Colossians 3 life as a woman saved by grace! 

 

For more thoughts on this quote, head on over to Sting My Heart