“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22–23

Gentleness is often translated as meekness. In the New Testament, it is used to describe submission to the will of God (Col. 3:12), teachableness (James 1:21), and consideration for others (Eph. 4:2).

We see this meekness in the life of Moses, especially in Numbers 12. There we observe his humility, meekness, and gentleness in the way he pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his sister Miriam after she had spoken critically against him and was struck with leprosy by the Lord. Moses could have been vindictive, but instead, his gentleness is beautifully displayed as he cried out to the Lord for his sister.

Gentleness, or meekness, is best illustrated in the life of our blessed Lord Jesus, who described Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart.” This same word is used to describe the Lord Jesus at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem: “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey’” (Matt. 21:5).

The apostle Paul the Apostle also referred to the meekness and gentleness of Christ when he wrote to the believers at Corinth: “Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you” (2 Cor. 10:1).

While meekness, like all the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, can only be produced by the Holy Spirit, it is also something we are instructed to pursue. Paul clearly tells Timothy: “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11).

We are to put it on as one would put on clothing: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12).

Gentleness affects the way we speak to others (1 Pet. 3:15). It affects our marriages (1 Pet. 3:1–6). It ought to affect the way we deal with those who have fallen into sin (Gal. 6:1), as well as leadership within the assembly in general (2 Tim. 2:24–25).

Anchor For Today:
Meekness or gentleness is an inward quality, produced in a heart that is yielded to the Spirit and being conformed to the likeness of Christ.