Central Assembly

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

Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

What Gentleness is not . . .
> Cruelty
> Harshness
> Gruffness
> Meanness
> Bullying
> Assault

What about war?

Romans 13:4
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

SPEAKING, ACTING, AND REACTING . . .

* Do my WORDS hurt or heal?

* Do my ACTIONS abuse or uplift?

1 Timothy 6:11
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

1 Peter 5:2a, 3
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them… 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Global Church Planting Network Leader dismissed:
Fifteen people who served under...described to Christianity Today a pattern of spiritual abuse through:

* bullying and intimidation,
* overbearing [excessive] demands in the name of the mission,
* rejection of critical feedback, and
* an expectation of unconditional loyalty.

SPEAKING, ACTING, AND REACTING . . .

* Do my WORDS hurt or heal?

* Do my ACTIONS abuse or uplift?

* Do my REACTIONS provoke or defuse?

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Ephesians 4:26-27
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

“You see, anger is always about control. If I yell loud enough, if I speak
harshly enough, if I sulk long enough, if I strike hard enough, I can fix
things. I can make people do what I want them to do. Anger gives us the
illusion of control. The irony, of course, is that when we do that, we end up
"losing control" rather than gaining it. We make things worse instead of
better.”

- Bryan Wilkerson, “Anger Mis-Management”

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.