“Living Gently in an Aggressive World – Fruit of the Spirit Pt.2”
Sermon Title: Living Gently in an Aggressive World – Fruit of the Spirit Pt.2
Scripture: Galatians 5:16-25 ESV
Introduction
Gentleness, despite its importance in the kingdom of God, may seem foolish in today’s competitive and brutal world, especially in big cities. Society teaches us that aggression is necessary to navigate life successfully, but in the kingdom of God, gentleness is the path that heals the world. Paul’s discussion of the fruit of the Spirit, particularly gentleness, outlines a way of life that bears witness to and contributes to the healing of the world.
Fruit of Gentleness
Gentleness, as listed by Paul, is considered the most difficult to translate among the fruits of the Spirit. In contemporary understanding, gentleness is often associated with weakness or passivity, which is a misconception. However, gentleness, as Paul describes, is not weakness but "power under control." It involves the recognition of one’s power and the potential harm it can cause if not controlled. Paul emphasizes that everyone has power in various forms (physical, intellectual, positional, etc.), and the Holy Spirit seeks to cultivate gentleness in us so that we use our power responsibly. The context of the Galatian church, filled with aggression, anger, and hostility, where people used their power to control rather than practice gentleness, serves as a backdrop for Paul’s emphasis. Legalism in the church led to division, discord, and marginalization, which Paul addresses by reminding them of their unity in Christ: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
Aggression in Today’s World
Modern culture is saturated with aggressive ideologies, evident in social media, politics, social issues, and even religious debates. The church itself is often perceived as judgmental rather than gentle, reflecting the infiltration of the world’s aggressive spirit into the church. However, the gospel, when truly breaking through, is marked by compassion and gentleness, not anger. Some individuals, in their zeal for Christianity, become aggressive and forceful, which is not in line with the Spirit's work.
The Struggle with Gentleness
The speaker acknowledges their own struggle with gentleness, particularly when faced with situations involving their children being wronged. The world’s hostility often provokes a desire to retaliate, highlighting the need for the Spirit’s work in cultivating a different way of life. Stanley Hauerwas contrasts his approach with Jean Vanier’s, emphasizing the importance of seeing wounds that need healing rather than enemies to defeat. The audience is invited to reflect on who they are tempted to “crush” in their lives and consider the way of gentleness as demonstrated by Jesus.
Christ as the Model of Gentleness
Jesus’ gentleness is contrasted with the judgmental and controlling nature of religious leaders, who marginalized others while Jesus offered mercy, compassion, and liberation. God’s entrance into the world as a gentle infant, rather than a forceful conqueror, exemplifies divine gentleness. Throughout His ministry, Jesus was gentle towards the repentant and broken, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15).
The Prodigal Son: A Parable of Gentleness
The parable of the prodigal son tells of a younger son who asks for his inheritance, lives recklessly, and eventually returns home in desperation. The father, instead of scolding or punishing him, runs to cover his son, protecting him from possible stoning by the village. The father’s gentle response to his son’s wrongdoing illustrates the gospel, where God, who has every right to crush us, instead covers and protects us.
Even on the cross, Jesus exemplified gentleness, choosing forgiveness over wrath: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). The message concludes with a call to embrace the Spirit’s work in cultivating gentleness in our lives, following the example of Christ.
Application
As we reflect on our lives, it becomes evident how gentle God has been with each of us. Despite our numerous failures, disappointments, and betrayals, God, who had every reason to punish and crush us, has instead been patiently waiting with open arms, ready to gently cover, restore, and comfort us. In light of this, how can the Holy Spirit cultivate the fruit of gentleness in our lives? What does it look like to live a life characterized by gentleness, rather than just experiencing occasional moments of it? There are two key aspects to consider:
1. Treating Others Gently
To embody gentleness means recognizing the fragility of those around us. Regardless of our outward appearances, accomplishments, or the personas we project, we are all inherently fragile. Paul highlights this concept in Galatians 6:1: "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness." Being gentle means being a safe presence for others. Our church should be a welcoming place where people feel safe, even as we uphold the holiness and justice of God without using our power—whether it be physical, educational, financial, or positional—to control or harm others. Our gentleness should attract both Christians and non-Christians alike, demonstrating a powerful witness to our faith and fostering missional spirituality.
2. Treating Ourselves Gently
Gentleness also involves being kind to ourselves. While we may not always be aggressive towards others, many of us struggle with harsh self-criticism. We set high standards for ourselves and, when we fall short, we often respond with self-rejection and shame. For example, we might feel like failures if we don't meet our own expectations or those set by others—whether related to personal achievements, career goals, or family life. The Holy Spirit invites us to practice self-gentleness. This means acknowledging our imperfections and struggles with the same grace that God shows us. If we find ourselves stumbling in our walk with God or not meeting our life goals, instead of punishing ourselves, we are encouraged to approach ourselves with gentleness and understanding, recognizing that God’s grace extends to us in our imperfections.
Now how do we cultivate this? How is gentleness built in our lives? How do we live this kind of way?
1. We Need the Power of the Holy Spirit
To live gently in an aggressive world, it is essential to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness cannot be manufactured through mere willpower or temporary behavioral changes. True and lasting gentleness is a result of a deep transformation within us, wrought by the Holy Spirit. This transformation is the essence of the fruit of the Spirit, and only the Spirit can produce it in our lives. Living gently amidst the world's aggression requires a divine encounter with God, who must break away our old, hostile ways and replace them with His gentleness. Daily and Sunday worship are vital for this encounter, as they provide opportunities for God to work profoundly within us, replacing aggression with gentleness through the Holy Spirit's power.
2. We Need a Rhythm of Prayer
In addition to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, maintaining a consistent rhythm of prayer is crucial. The fruit of the Spirit flourishes in the environment of ongoing, abiding prayer. A single daily prayer is often insufficient for sustaining the gentleness we seek. Daily experiences—such as traffic jams or workplace stress—can quickly deplete our gentleness. To counteract this, we need a rhythm of prayer throughout the day. This involves pausing for prayer in the morning, midday, and evening to remain grounded in God's presence. Such a life of consistent prayer helps sustain the fruit of the Spirit, allowing us to continually experience and reflect God's gentleness.
Reflection and Response
Reflect on the brokenness and sinfulness in our lives. Despite having every reason to be punished, God, through Jesus, chose to endure suffering on our behalf, demonstrating love and gentleness rather than retribution. Jesus' gentleness on the cross serves as the ultimate example for us. As we face challenges and potential conflicts, we have a choice: to respond with aggression or to embody gentleness by controlling our power and abiding in Jesus. Take a moment to reflect on any circumstances or individuals that provoke anger within you. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, breaking off old patterns and cultivating gentleness in your life. Let's pray for the Holy Spirit's power to effect this change in us.