Basic HTML Version
Gentleness, Fabruary 18
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy
gentleness hath made me great.
2 Samuel 22:36
You are to represent Christ in His meekness and gentleness and love.
True gentleness is a gem of great value in the sight of God.
We want a spirit of gentleness. We cannot live right in the family
circle without it. In order to have the proper control of our children,
we must manifest a spirit of gentleness and of meekness and of long-
suffering. We do not want to have a faultfinding, fretful, scolding spirit.
If we teach them to have a spirit of gentleness, we must have a spirit of
gentleness ourselves; ... if we would have them manifest a spirit of love
toward us, we must manifest a gentle, loving spirit toward them. But
at the same time there need be no weakness or unwise indulgence on
the part of parents. The mother must have firmness and decision. She
must be as firm as a rock, and not swerve from the right. Her laws and
rules should be carried out at all times and under all hazards, but she can
do this with all gentleness and meekness.... The children will grow up
God-fearing men and women.
No member of the family can enclose himself within himself, where
other members of the family shall not feel his influence and spirit. The
very expression of the countenance has an influence for good or evil. His
spirit, his words, his actions, his attitude toward others, are unmistak-
able.... If he is filled with the love of Christ, he will manifest courtesy,
kindness, tender regard for the feelings of others, and will communicate
to his associates, by his acts of love, a tender, grateful, happy feeling. It
will be made manifest that he is living for Jesus.... He will be able to say
to the Lord, “Thy gentleness hath made me great.”
[54]
55