Part 9 – How to reflect God’s Love through Gentleness and Self-control?
Galatians 5.22-23 “Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”
Gal 5:22 Maar die vrug van die Gees is liefde, blydskap, vrede, lankmoedigheid, vriendelikheid, goedheid, getrouheid, sagmoedigheid, selfbeheersing.
What is Gentleness?
The Greek word used here in Galatians 5:22: “the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s own self-importance; gentleness, humility, courtesy, considerateness, meekness”
Opposite of Gentleness: Unkindness, Hardness, Roughness, To spite someone, Make it unpleasant for someone and Unfriendly
What is Gentleness?
Gentleness is handling people with care – The best way to picture gentleness – being as careful with other people as a nursing mother is with her baby.
1 Thessalonians 2:7 (NIV) 7Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children
Where does gentleness come from?
It comes from knowing Christ and fearing God. Where does gentleness come from?
Matthew 11:28-30: [28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Mat 11:28 Kom na My toe, almal wat vermoeid en belas is, en Ek sal julle rus gee. Mat 11:29 Neem my juk op julle en leer van My, want Ek is sagmoedig en nederig van hart, en julle sal rus vind vir julle siele; Mat 11:30 want my juk is sag en my las is lig.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
Gentleness doesn’t come naturally. Gentleness is something Christians must learn. It is a trait that is godly, and as His children God expects us to become gentle, as He is.
Philippians 4:5 – “let your gentleness be evident to all” –
Self-control
Galatians 5.22-23 “Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”
Gal 5:22 Maar die vrug van die Gees is liefde, blydskap, vrede, lankmoedigheid, vriendelikheid, goedheid, getrouheid, sagmoedigheid, selfbeheersing.
Meaning of Self-Control
The power to control one’s actions, impulses, thoughts or emotions – discipline. Self-control is to get a grip of our thoughts, words, and actions so they reflect the Christ in us.
By God’s spiritual power and help, we take power over all thoughts and actions that do not bring glory to God.
“Holding oneself in or the ability to take a grip of oneself; power over one’s passions, appetites, and desires; to be master over oneself, and self-restraint.”
It is the restraining and controlling of the desires, passions, and appetites of the sin nature.
To have truly effectual control over our lives, we need God’s power to be in control.
Galatians 5:25 (NIV) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Mastering Self-Control
Self-control is the inward rule or discipline of every area of our life under the ultimate authority or control of God’s Spirit in line with His Word
Proverbs 3:6 (LB) 6 In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
The aim of self-control is always to enable us to love God and to love others.
Put God first in all you do.
Self-Control is to discipline yourself
1 Timothy 4:7b Amp. Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness
[keeping yourself spiritually fit]
. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.
Discipline yourself – working out in “God’s gym” of:
- His Word,
- prayer,
- fellowship,
- breaking of bread (Connect)
Self-Control is to discipline yourself
1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
1 Corinthians 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.
Self-control means mastering one’s emotions rather than being mastered by them.
Spr 25:28 ‘n Afgebreekte stad sonder muur, so is ‘n man wat sy gees nie kan inhou nie.
Walk by the Spirit
Gal 5:24 Maar die wat aan Christus behoort, het die vlees met sy hartstogte en begeerlikhede gekruisig.
Gal 5:25 As ons deur die Gees lewe, laat ons ook deur die Gees wandel.
“Walking by the Spirit is what we do when the desires of the Spirit are stronger than the desires of the flesh. ”
How to walk by the Spirit?
Walk in the Spirit by Presenting Your Body as a Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1-2, NKJV “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”—
Walk in the Spirit by Obeying the Promptings of the Holy Spirit
“The sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” –John 10:4, ESV