Kindness

leafriverlizzie · 08-13-2005, 05:49 PM

[align=left][/b]Hey everyone! Well I haven't had time to participate on the forum much lately since I'm back at work full-time. But I'm still sharing my weekly bulletin, just on the outside chance that someone might receive something from it. This next one is on Gentleness (Kindness).
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Gentleness is another fruit of the Spirit we must bear in our lives. In the King James Version the Greek word "œchrestotes" is translated as gentleness. In most other versions it is translated as kindness. According to Thayer"™s Lexicon it means moral goodness, integrity, and kindness. It has been said that this word describes "œthe sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain." It has also been described as "œa beautiful word for the expression of a beautiful grace."
If we are to be a living testimony to others, this is certainly an important character for us to demonstrate. I don"™t know how many times I"™ve seen people who call themselves Christians but yet they shoot daggers with their tongues, eyes, and actions. These people have a very rude character about them in what they say and do. And invariably, I have heard unbelievers say as a result, "œWell if that is the way Christians act, I certainly don"™t want to be a part of that!" Sometimes when things aren"™t going our way or when we feel that we have been slighted, our first inclination is to "œgive them a piece of our mind!" But to what purpose? One question I ask myself before responding is "œWill what I am about to say or do edify, or cause damage?" The Apostle Paul understood the importance of responding to others in kindness. 2 Corinthians 6:3-6 says "œGiving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned." How will nonbelievers want to be around us if our rudeness pushes them away? Do our actions cause them to "œfeel at ease" and desire to draw close to us or do we discourage others from feeling comfortable around us by using sharp words, cold shoulders, or arrogant condescension?
Another area where gentleness can be a great tool is in the way we respond to heated situations. A kind and gentle answer can prevent a small problem from becoming bigger. Sometimes it can be so easy when somebody is yelling or angry at us to yell right back even louder. But what usually ends up happening? Does the person you yell at hear you any better? Most of the time they don"™t. Most of the time they end up putting up an invisible wall and they don"™t listen to a thing you have to say. Each person in turn will probably get louder and angrier, then the problem gets bigger and bigger, and things are said that normally would not be said. Fire breeds fire my friend. Proverbs 15:1 says "œA soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." If we could just learn to step back, let gentleness take over, and give a "œsoft answer," the situation can usually be diffused faster, and a lot of heartache can be averted.
What kind of living testimony do you portray? As children of God, let us put on the garment of kindness so that others (including our family) may see and desire to know the hope of our calling.

[/i]"œPut on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" Colossians 3:12[/i]

Rebel Hog · 08-13-2005, 07:15 PM

Sis Lizzie, I like your post, butlet me ask a question?
If you show gentleness, kindness and be apologetictowards a person and they
constantly ignore your attitude towardsthem and see you as being weak in a
personal nature, how would you handle it?

Edit: Oops, it's Sis.lizzie not Bro.Mac.

Leafrivermac · 08-13-2005, 09:06 PM

Hey Bro Reb, This is just Sis Liz's sunday bulletin post. I'm sure she would have a different answer. Scripture says that we are to forgive our brother 70x7. I try to be kind . .I try to be patient. It's a garment I have to put on sometimes. Often people make the mistake of taking kindness for weakness or simplemindedness. Thats where longsuffering comes in . .and sometimes I walk in the Spirit and sometimes I find myself in the flesh. I hate it when I find myself with hostility towards someone tho and I think that it would be easier to forgive them if I could just slap em around a little bit first.

leafriverlizzie · 08-13-2005, 09:28 PM

Bro. Reb, that's where wisdom comes in. Matthew 10:16 says to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. A person can be gentle or kind but still be firm. I thank God that Mac is gentle and kind to me. I'll tell you what, he gets a whole lot more from me being kind than he would if he would be yelling at me or "demanding" whatever he wants. However, just because he is gentle in the way he acts towards me does not mean he is weak in any way. I see him as very much a man.
At a place I used to work, there was another secretary that was known to be rude with everyone. People avoided her at all costs and came to me for help instead. Why? Because I was much more amicable. Did that mean I let them run all over me? No. I was firm when I needed to be, but always trying to have the right attitude. When a parent comes in angry and complaining about a situation, the best thing I have found is to stay calm and gentle. It usually diffuses their anger right away. Sometimes not right away. Last year a few people called me back later and apologized for their attitude that was uncalled for. I never know what I am going to face on any given day so I always make sure that before I walk out the door in the morning, I get down on my knees and pray for the Lord to give me wisdom, strength, and grace and to help me to be a reflection of Him in all that I say and do.