“Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.” PHILIPPIANS 4:5 AMP
Are you gentle with people? I've met "Christians" that were as rough as a corn cob when it comes to relating to, and handling, others. There is a time to be stern and firm but, in most cases, gentleness is the way to go. Listen to the words of James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].” AMP Galatians 5:22-23 also describes the character that the Holy Spirit gives. “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” AMP Again, let me ask: Are you gentle with people? God can, and will, give you the character to be so. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you today and submit to Him. If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit resides in you. The question is this: How much of you is submitted to Him? Stop making excuses for your rough personality, stop walking in your fleshly nature, submit to the Holy Spirit, and let Jesus shine through. “But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].” Galatians 5:16 AMP
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March 2020
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