Humble, gentle spiritual people don’t try to make a name for themselves. They often seem like pushovers. Many misunderstand their humility and gentleness as signs of weakness and repeatedly try to exploit them.
Humble people see themselves as they are. They know they’re sinners. They realize they’ve fallen short of God’s goodness standard--Jesus’ perfect life in word, attitude, and deed.
They also understand that by God’s undeserved favor through their faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, they are God’s children. He has declared them righteous by crediting Jesus’ righteousness to their account. They are grateful for God’s favor and live like it.
Humbly gentle giants don’t assume they are nothing. They don’t put themselves down. They don’t think less of themselves. They do, however, think of themselves less.
They don’t boast, seek revenge, or promote themselves. They are yielded and responsive to God. They don’t pretend to know everything. They are teachable.
They allow Jesus to be Himself in and through them. They permit Him to teach them to be like Him.
Jesus was humble and gentle. He said, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 NLT).
Gentleness is a mixture of strength, courage, and restraint. Gentle people are strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10), but don’t have to prove it. They courageously but respectfully do what’s right. They maintain self-control (Galatians 5:23). They don’t retaliate or pursue revenge against those who offend them.
Their gentleness isn’t natural. Like plow horses, they have been tamed and trained to be gentle. They submit their strengths to God’s control.
They keep a faith connection to Jesus, the vine (John 15). He produces abiding fruit. As a result, their Holy Spirit-empowered loving words and actions bless others.
The Apostle Paul writes that a life worthy of Divine calling is completely humble and gentle (Ephesians 4:2). Humbly gentle spiritual people gently communicate God’s truth to those who haven’t yet accepted it, trusting God will soften their hearts (2 Timothy 2:25). They share a reason for their hope in God with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15–16).
Moses was known for his gentleness (Numbers 12:3). He cared about God’s honor and what was best for others. He was strong but responsive to God’s control.
Humbly gentle giants say no to their agenda for the day when necessary to say yes to God’s agenda for their lives.
God is unimaginably big and powerful. He transcends space and time. Jesus, the Word made flesh, created everything (John 1:3, 14), yet He described Himself as humble and gentle. He humbled Himself to become human and to die on the cross in our place (Philippians 2:7–8). If He isn’t too big to be humble and gentle, it’s foolish to think we are. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
God has equipped and empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free devotional discipleship resource. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead more than 2,550 people to faith in Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 7,805 people. I invite you to check it out. https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness
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