What does being gentle mean to you? Do you immediately think of the handling of a newborn baby? Do you think of cuddling with a puppy? Do you think of gently moving a piece of art? Have you thought about being gentle with someone who is going through a rough time?
Being gentle can apply in many situations. We may typically think of being gentle with our hands, gently handling a baby, a puppy, a piece of art, a glass vase, a birthday cake, and many other things. When teaching young children to be gentle, we may tell them to be easy.
Yet, the gentleness the Apostle Paul talks about is not about physically handling things. It means to be considerate. We are to be considerate of others. It goes hand-in-hand with Paul saying elsewhere to put others ahead of ourselves. We are to consider their feelings, situations, and needs.
Paul tells us to show gentleness or consideration to everyone. That can be a challenge. Who wants to be considerate to the person who cuts you off in traffic? Who wants to be considerate to the person who picked up the last Christmas ham just seconds before us? Yet, that is what Paul is calling us to do.
Why does Paul tell us to show our gentleness to everyone? He knew the promises of God and trusted in them. He knew there was something far better waiting for us. He knew that by being considerate of others we might bring them to Christ. He knew that by being different than everyone else, we would be attractive to them, causing them to wonder what made us different. We would do well to follow Paul’s instruction.
I pray we all determine to be gentle with others. I pray we are considerate in our interactions with everyone. I pray each one of us will imitate the gentleness of Jesus every day. Be gentle with others. Show consideration to others. Imitate the gentleness of Jesus.
Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Marty Pressey 