The Eighth Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness

Different roots produce different fruits.  Roots in Jesus reflect His character.  If your life is in Jesus and His Spirit, the fruit you bear is His (Galatians 5:22-23).  Day by day, you become more and more like Him. Gentleness is the eighth fruit of the Spirit.  It’s the only adjective in the Bible Jesus attributed to himself: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Gentleness means finding our strength in Jesus and Jesus alone.  When people see us living in His strength, they desire to do the same.  It’s a kind of bridled power, like a bridle in the mouth of a horse.  It funnels our strength to obey God’s law and will. Gentleness is the source of a man becoming a “gentleman,” a man who is strong, but controlled.  Inward gentleness cares for others more than self: “Let your gentleness be evident to all” (Philippians 4:5a).  It should be an obvious virtue for someone following Jesus. Put your life’s roots deeply in Jesus.  All of His followers are called to be in Christ, the hope of our glory (Colossians 1:27). When we do, we will be gentle and humble. The Savior of the world, Jesus, was gentle and humble as well.