Listen to this devotion
Living in the Spirit … Produces Gentleness
In the Word
Let your gentleness be evident to all (Philippians 4:5a).
Of the Word
… the fruit of the Spirit is … gentleness … (Galatians 5:22–23a).
Our perfect model of gentleness is Jesus. He has shown us how to deal with one another in a caring, considerate, and sympathetic manner. Whether He was feeding the hungry (Mark 6:30–44), treating others with respect as He did the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1–26), or grieving with friends over the death of a loved one (John 11:17–37), Jesus responded with loving concern and in a gentle manner.
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:1–4 MSG).
Walking with my Lord
Lord, forgive the times I have been too busy or didn’t care enough to comfort others. Send me a spirit of gentleness so that Christ may be reflected in all that I do. I ask in His name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 28/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture passages with the notation of (MSG) were taken from THE MESSAGE, Copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
