Have you ever experienced being convicted while reading the Bible? If you have, you may be happy because your conscience is alive and your heart is open to the work of the Holy Spirit. If you have not, you can read about my experience in this post.
Not too long ago I was reading the letter to the Philippians and I came across a verse:
Let your gentleness* be known to everyone (Phil. 4:5)
*or reasonableness (which in my mind means knowing which battles are not worth fighting)
**gentleness - the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered
I remembered a few recent situations and blushed (at least I felt like it). Can I say that everyone around me knows me for my gentleness?
Last week I was watching the funeral of one pastor, a well-known man of God. Many people came to honor him and spoke a lot of good words about him, but one thing someone said really caught my attention: "it was more important for him to keep the relationship than to be right". Is this not a perfect illustration of this verse?
How often do we try to prove ourselves right? How often do we try to win, make people change their minds, and prove our own ideas? But is it truly valuable in God's Kingdom?
Once I was invited to participate in one church project. In other words, to serve. I was not against this idea but I was not a fan of the team who led it. And even though I joined and even tried to hold myself together, I wasn't always gentle in my responses and I'm sure people noticed my irritation.
But then I found this verse about gentleness and started wondering. Do I want people to remember me as 'self-righteous' or 'self-sufficient'? Do I want people to say things about me such as "she always gets what she wants" and "she liked to be in control"?
No, I don't. I want my gentleness to be known to everyone (or at least the ones around me). I want people to see Christ's character in me. I want people to like talking to me and want to serve with me. Not because I want everyone to like me, but because this is what Bible teaches us.
Peter wrote "let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1 Pet. 3:4)
The most beautiful garment I can put on is a gentle spirit. It's not my achievements that make me precious in the eyes of the Lord, but my ability to keep quiet when my flesh is boiling.
Moreover, do you think God would appreciate my ministry that I'm doing with the wrong heart? Would you call it worshipping Him in spirit and in truth? Would you call it dedication, if my mind is occupied with judgment or anger?
Maybe this post has more questions than answers. But I want you to start thinking about these things as well. And I want you to also want to be known for your gentleness!
I know that a simple understanding is not enough to become gentle and humble overnight. But I also know that this is enough to start praying about it, to work on yourself, humble your flesh, and learn how to be quiet. I know that God will definitely support me in this desire!
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