“Gentle as a dove”. We have all heard that saying. While I cannot stand the sound of doves, I know that they are extremely loyal and gentle creatures. I am not a gentle person by nature. I don’t have a syrupy voice, my hands aren’t soft and dainty, I am not petite and tiny. Physically I do not look gentle, and sometimes my spirit isn’t gentle either. Actually… lately, I haven’t been gentle at all, and Mom has had to get on to me about being gentler. I really need to like memorize:
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle response deflects fury, but a harsh word makes tempers rise.
I’ve come to realize most of the time I do not answer gently. That is not good. I have been thinking lately about being gentle. I am going to be a mama soon and I want to be so gentle and loving to my sweeties. I don’t want to raise my voice at them and be harsh. I don’t want to be harsh to them, I want to be gentle.
Gentleness is not only a physical attribute, but a spiritual and behavior attribute. It also shows others that we are chosen of God.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
I want everything I do to show that I am a child of God and that its Him they see, not me. When I am harsh to anyone, I am not showing them the gentleness of our loving God. If you are a believer and follower of Christ, then you must be gentle to everyone!
2 Timothy 2:24-26
And a slave of the Lord shouldn’t fight. On the contrary, he should be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and not resentful when mistreated. Also he should be gentle as he corrects his opponents. For God may perhaps grant them the opportunity to turn from their sins, acquire full knowledge of the truth, come to their senses and escape the trap of the Adversary, after having been captured alive by him to do his will.
We are supposed to be gentle, kind and inclined to teach others. By doing those things we show everyone how they can be brought out of the snare of satan and into the hand of God. When we are gentle physically we cause others to be gentle. When I am harsh to someone, I get harshness back and then I want to return the harshness. It is a vicious cycle. When someone is harsh, show gentleness to them and you will show gentleness.
Titus 3:2
To slander no one, to avoid quarreling, to be friendly, and to behave gently towards everyone .
Being gentle is holding your temper when you want to be harsh to someone, being gentle is biting your tongue when you want to yell at your sibling, being gentle is being tender. I am trying to be more gentle in the way I talk, act, behave, and carry myself. I want to be gentle. Jesus was gentle. He spake softly and was very gentle with everyone He came in contact with. I want to be like my Savior and I want to be gentle!
Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love.
I need to learn that and do it!
©AmandaDixon2009
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Tags: 2 Timothy 2:24-26, A gentle response deflects fury but a harsh word makes tempers rise., articles, being gentle, chosen people, Colossians 3:12, editorials, Ephesians 4:2, Fruit of the Spirit, gentle, Gentle As A Dove, gentleness, gently, God, kindness, love, patience, Proverbs 15:1, quarreling, Scriptures, slander, temper, Titus 3:2, writing
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 am
Amen!!! This is something that we have been dealing with in my family lately. It seems we are all rotten fruit (ya know, of the Spirit-heehee). It has been helping me studying “fool” especially in Proverbs. It amazes me how many verses talk about being foolish with one’s mouth. And modeling for my kids is the best way to teach them.
Hope you have a fabulous day!
Blessings~
Leslie´s last blog ..‘Tis the Season
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December 22nd, 2009 at 12:30 am
I think God meant me to read that tonight. I could have written every word. My husband and I chose Colossians 3:12-17 as the verses for our wedding/marriage. I am a very compassionate person but I’m not gentle. As a Mama, I have been convicted lately to be gentler with my children too. Thanks for the verses and the “gentle reminder”.
Theresa´s last blog ..Pantry Shelves
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December 22nd, 2009 at 9:16 am
Oh dear! This is a very good post, Amanda! I, too, need to work on being gentler with my little siblings…
Love,
Jessica
Jessica´s last blog ..Funny Faces
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December 22nd, 2009 at 10:00 am
I need to learn that and do it!
More like you need to receive it and be it.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Gal 5:22-23 (NKJV)
An outgrowth of the indwelling of God’s Spirit produces the fruit that we are unable to artificially reproduce. Many attempt to mask a lack of the indwelling Spirit of God by pretending to be someone they are not. Unless we abide in the vine (Jesus) we will be unable to produce the kind of fruit that is required to live the life expected of a child of God.
You can not legislate, barter for, buy, trade or otherwise acquire the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, you must simply allow the word of God to dwell in you richly and thusly produce the fruits of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:4-6 (NKJV)
I say this because I have seen many attempting to live for the Lord externally and not internally. IN other words, they have a form of godliness but lack the intestinal fortitude to stand firm in that godliness. This is why religion fails to redeem a sin-sick soul because it is applied externally. WE must receive the Lord internally and allow Him to change us from within. Right?
Allen´s last blog ..Glorious Impossible
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December 22nd, 2009 at 10:19 am
Thank you so much for that wonderful post! I need to learn to be gentle as well.
lizzie19 (thegirlizzie)´s last blog ..Please pray.
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December 22nd, 2009 at 10:55 am
great reflection! We all need to work on that!
Kendra´s last blog ..What I see…
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December 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
We all could stand to be more gentle. It’s not always easy. Even when one is trying to be nice, others around them are not. I consider myself a fairly compassionate person. I am not always very gentle, especially with my family. I have brother who needs to learn what being gentle even means. I haven’t heard him say something nice in, oh, probably a couple years. Not joking. Being around negative people makes one feel more negative. It also creates what I call “snap feelings”, where you get so irritated with the negative person, you snap at them. Of course, this solves nothing. Yelling is the same way. When a parent yells at their child or a person gets mad and yells at someone, it may cause fear at first, which can be the intention, but it will create anger as well. Yelling begets yelling and it just gets louder and no one gets anywhere close to solving the issue that started the whole argument. Gentleness can beget gentleness, but it can be very hard to do. Especially when those around you are not gentle. The hardest thing to do is think then react because so many of us are used to reacting then thinking, which we often end up regretting.
Have a great day and a Merry Christmas.
Nelli´s last blog ..Aftermath of Snowstorm
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December 22nd, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Wonderful Amanda. Gentleness is not something taught anymore, and I am learning its value too late to train my older children in it very well.
I am thankful for children with teachable hearts and spirits who will listen to advice and Yahveh’s instruction.
Love you, and may Yahveh bless you as you learn his ways.
Momma´s last blog ..Yahveh’s Sense of Humour
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December 22nd, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Thank you for the wonderful reminder! I am not gentle at all. I have a bad attitude most of the times. I want to be a missionary, and I know missionaries are gentle.
I some times yell at my siblings and parents. Or slam my door to tell them that I’m mad. When I’m mad I usually go to my room, shut my door, and sit in the very corner of my bed and cry until I get a hold of myself.
My Mom has taught me a lot of stuff that I need to do to become a missionary, but she never told me to be gentle. And I’m glad that you told me, I would never have thought about this until now. Thank you!
I will try to be more gentle starting right now.
Alli´s last blog ..Young Maiden’s Daybook
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December 22nd, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Sounds like me. :/ I don’t physically look gentle or always talk or act gently. We all could use a lesson in gentleness!
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December 23rd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
You surely look like a gentle person to me. You probably have a strong sense of responsibility,you being the first born. This would probably be reflected in the way you answer your siblings. You are so fortunate to be in a family setting where all these virtues may be practiced, with the sweet Ruach Ha Kodesh leading and guiding. It is noble of you to aspire to gentleness and kindness. I am aware of my lack in this area,too. There is nothing but the blood of Yeshua to cleanse os of all sin. Praise His name forever! Thank you for you blog. It is very encouraging. Perhaps you are going through a stage of grief. If so,the Lord Adonai will see you through it. It will pass. Blessings and honor to you and your adorable family. Sandra
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December 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
that is such a sweet post Amanda! I thank you for sharing this to us! It made me think and reflect too!
mizhelle´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday #28 and Sepia Scene #19
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December 24th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Like you I am not dainty or “cute” I am more the rough and tumble type. Great post hit a sore spot in my soul regarding my own lack of gentleness
Jeannie in Oklahoma´s last blog ..Baby Its Cold Outside
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