Living with True Gentleness
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5
What does it mean to be gentle? When we hear this word, it might bring to mind someone who's soft-spoken or mild. But the gentleness that the Bible talks about goes deeper than that.
In fact, the Greek word for gentleness, “praus,” is one of those words that's difficult to translate into English. It’s used in a few different ways in the New Testament. Sometimes it’s translated as “gentleness,” and other times as “meekness” or “humility.” But why is that?
“Praus” is used to describe both our inward state and our outward actions. When the Bible talks about meekness or humility, it's often referring to our hearts, the way we see ourselves before God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
He wasn’t talking about being weak or passive. Instead, He was describing a heart that’s fully surrendered to God, recognizing that we depend on Him for everything. That’s the inward state of humility, knowing that without God, we can’t do anything.
But when the Bible talks about gentleness, it often describes how we live outwardly and how we treat others. Gentleness is the expression of that inward humility in the way we act and speak.
In James 1:21, we’re told to “humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” The humility mentioned here is “praus,” the attitude of being open to God’s Word and recognizing our need for Him. That humility leads to a life marked by gentleness, where we show others the same kindness and grace that God has shown to us.
True gentleness isn’t about being weak. It’s about strength under control. It’s knowing that you don’t have to fight for your place or demand recognition because you trust God to lift you up in the right time. Gentleness means choosing to respond with grace, even when you could choose harshness. It means speaking the truth in love, without tearing others down.
Are you living with gentleness? Are you showing the humility in your heart through the way you interact with those around you? God calls us to live with a gentle spirit, one that reflects His love and kindness to the world. Let His Spirit work in you, transforming your inward state so that your outward life is marked by gentleness and grace.
What does it mean to be gentle? When we hear this word, it might bring to mind someone who's soft-spoken or mild. But the gentleness that the Bible talks about goes deeper than that.
In fact, the Greek word for gentleness, “praus,” is one of those words that's difficult to translate into English. It’s used in a few different ways in the New Testament. Sometimes it’s translated as “gentleness,” and other times as “meekness” or “humility.” But why is that?
“Praus” is used to describe both our inward state and our outward actions. When the Bible talks about meekness or humility, it's often referring to our hearts, the way we see ourselves before God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
He wasn’t talking about being weak or passive. Instead, He was describing a heart that’s fully surrendered to God, recognizing that we depend on Him for everything. That’s the inward state of humility, knowing that without God, we can’t do anything.
But when the Bible talks about gentleness, it often describes how we live outwardly and how we treat others. Gentleness is the expression of that inward humility in the way we act and speak.
In James 1:21, we’re told to “humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” The humility mentioned here is “praus,” the attitude of being open to God’s Word and recognizing our need for Him. That humility leads to a life marked by gentleness, where we show others the same kindness and grace that God has shown to us.
True gentleness isn’t about being weak. It’s about strength under control. It’s knowing that you don’t have to fight for your place or demand recognition because you trust God to lift you up in the right time. Gentleness means choosing to respond with grace, even when you could choose harshness. It means speaking the truth in love, without tearing others down.
Are you living with gentleness? Are you showing the humility in your heart through the way you interact with those around you? God calls us to live with a gentle spirit, one that reflects His love and kindness to the world. Let His Spirit work in you, transforming your inward state so that your outward life is marked by gentleness and grace.
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