Gleanings of Grace

I was once asked, “So, are you gentle?”

I replied playfully, “Gentle monster.”

Having grown with a hustle mindset, gentleness used to be so unfamiliar to me. I thought I needed to fight and compete for merit. I thought getting even was only right. I wasn’t very mindful of my tone or my choice of words. I used to reason, “This is me. Take it or leave it.” 

But through years of pruning and the renewing of my mind through God’s Word, I am gradually learning what gentleness truly means in the life of a believer. And what better way to be reminded of it than through Pastor Oscar Villa’s preaching last Sunday.

He started his preaching by explaining how gentleness is the antidote to anger–how a gentle person is neither quarrelsome nor evil-speaking. Then, he presented his four-point outline about gentleness:

1. Gentleness is rooted in God.
2. Gentleness is wrought by the Gospel.
3. Gentleness is a reality for a believer.
4. Gentleness is in relating with others.

Gentleness originates in God’s own character. Scripture repeatedly describes God as compassionate, patient, and slow to anger (Exodus 34:6). Christ Himself invited weary sinners to come to Him because He is “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Therefore, gentleness is not a weakness. It is a reflection of God’s character being formed in His people.

I started meditating on this outline. However, a lot transpired this week which led me to meditate on the whole Galatians 5, particularly focusing on verses 16 onwards. I supplemented this with John MacArthur’s preaching series on Galatians entitled, Fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

And throughout the week, I’ve been confronted with my inadequacy. Indeed, only by God’s grace will I be able to walk by the Spirit.

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Walk by the Spirit

“But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (v. 16)

The word “walk” or περιπατέω (peripatéō) is used metaphorically to denote a way of conduct. Here, Paul gives a command to believers then and now: “To walk by the Spirit.” In other words, I am to yield my whole life to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to shape my every thought, word and deed. 

This is easier said than done. 

“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want” (v. 17).

This is probably one of the main tensions every believer has to live by–the conflict between the Spirit and the flesh. They will continue to wage war within us throughout our lifetimes. As MacArthur noted, “We are simultaneously righteous and sinful. There’s a battle going on.” But just as perseverance is a true mark of a believer, I have been called to walk by the Spirit even when my flesh desires otherwise. 

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Deeds of the Flesh

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (v. 19-21)

These deeds characterized my life before Christ. 

The word “deeds”–with a plural form–not only captures the fact that these sins are many; but also the reality that these sins may occur at different times, in different scenarios and with different people. One person may struggle more with sexual immorality, while another may struggle more with selfish ambition. As MacArthur said, “We pick our poison.”

But even as a believer now, I remain painfully prone to sin, especially through my unredeemed flesh. I struggled so hard with anger this week. My frustrations toward people clouded my mind, convincing me I’m better than anyone else. And so, in prayer I pleaded to the Lord for help–that in the thick of all the disappointments I’m holding, may I still manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit inside out. 

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Fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (v. 22-23)

I’ve memorized these verses for years and have even cited these countless times when praying for brothers and sisters in Christ. But living this out is altogether different. 

While “deeds of the flesh” carries a plural form; here, “fruit of the Spirit” carries a singular form. And this comes with intention. MacArthur metaphorically presented this as “a beautiful bouquet of virtues.” In other words, we believers receive the fullness of the Spirit upon coming to faith, enabling us to progressively manifest His fruit—a beautiful combination of these virtues working together in a believer’s life. A genuine believer cannot be driven by anger yet loving. Neither can one be kind yet unfaithful. Such a life would be inherently contradictory.

I thought gentleness was just about the tone of my voice or the choice of my words. But there’s more to it than what I thought. The Greek word πραΰτης (praÿtēs) not only translates to “gentleness” but also to “meekness.” This word conveys three important ideas. First is controlled strength like how a strong and wild animal is tamed to subjection. Second is having a humble demeanor amid peoples’ shortcomings and amid difficult circumstances. And lastly, it’s that humble submission to God’s providential will and wisdom. 

Gentleness is not merely a softer tone of voice. 

It is strength willingly submitted to God and exercised for the good of others.

It took me years to realize that genuine spiritual fruit is not marked by excellent work. I used to focus on doing things right to the point of hurting people along the way. I thought I had to be in control. On another note, neither is spiritual fruit quantified by the number of times I read the Bible from cover to cover; nor the number of years I’ve been in the faith. While these factors can be telling, genuine spirituality is ultimately measured by how yielded I am to God’s work within me, enabling me to manifest His fruit.

This week, our cell group went through Romans 12:2 – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

As our cell servant expounded on the word “be transformed” or μεταμορφόω metamorphóō, I can’t help but be reminded of MacArthur’s words: “The acceptable action is the result of the acceptable attitude (fruit). Action without attitude is either hypocrisy or legalism.” Beyond what’s outside–excellent results, quantifiable attributes and visible attitudes–what’s inside is what matters most. And genuine fruit can only stem from a heart that’s gone through an inner transformation resulting in an outward change. 

And this kind of transformation can only come from God Himself.

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This transformation starts with the Gospel.

Humanity is dead in sin (Romans 3:10) and doomed for eternal destruction. But God, being rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5). The call remains the same. To be saved from God’s eternal wrath, “repent of sin and believe in Christ.” When we receive Christ and submit our lives to His word, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, breaking the bondage of sin over us and gradually enabling us to manifest His fruit. 

It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (v. 1)

What beautiful words of truth! It comes with a statement of how I’ve been made free; and an imperative of how I am to stand firm and not be subject to a yoke of slavery.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are collectively described as the fruit of the Spirit. Yet these are also virtues believers are repeatedly commanded to pursue (John 13:34–35, Philippians 4:4, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:32, Galatians 6:10, 1 Corinthians 4:2, Colossians 3:12, 1 Corinthians 9:25). As MacArthur said, “We are commanded to do only what the spirit can do in us.” While spiritual fruit is produced by the Holy Spirit, believers are nevertheless commanded to pursue obedience diligently.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit. (v. 24-25)

This time, Paul used a different word for “walk”–στοιχέω (stoichéō). This word denotes a military sense of walking, much like a marching soldier. Knowing full well that there is a battle to fight, it takes deliberate effort, prayer, and grace to put the flesh to death and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit.

So now I go back to reflecting on Pastor Oscar’s pointers for gentleness: 

“How does the truth that gentleness—and all other virtues—is rooted in God and wrought by the Gospel encourage me to persevere?”

“How am I displaying the fruit of the Spirit—especially gentleness—in my relationships with others?”