Blessed Are: The Gentle

Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5

Doesn't that sound like a verse anyone could get behind? Whether Buddhist, Muslim, Taoist, Christian, or any other religion which promotes any form of peace, this statement in and of itself could be agreed upon by most religious people.

However, the gentleness which inherits the earth will not be one we can obtain on our own. This is a gift we receive from the Spirit as we try to imitate Christ Jesus in our lives. Jesus says in Matthew 11:29, "All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves."

We often wonder why it is we need to be gentle though. Wouldn't it be easier if we could beat someone over the head with our Christianity? Yes. It would. That is why it is so important to be gentle. It shows gentleness as a gift from God in difficult situations instead of a work of self.


Here are some examples from Scripture where we are told to be gentle when it would normally be difficult:

Galatians 6:1 "Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted."
- Human Response: Judge and look down upon that person.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 "Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children."
- Human Response: Take what is our right and what we are owed.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 "The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patience, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth."
- Human Response: Have the last word.

1 Peter 3:3-4 "Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes; instead it should consist of the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God's eyes."
- Human Response: Our outward appearance is #1, no matter the consequences

Take some time to have an inward beauty treatment. The special today? Gentleness.