Day 18 - Ephesians 4:2

Completely?

At the start of the New Year, I pray and ask God for a verse for the year. Some years it is clearer than others. This year I believe the verse I am to focus on is Ephesians 4:1-2 (actually most of Chapter 4). I was studying some of the words in there and the definition of “gentle” stands out to me this morning. I guess what stands out is what it isn’t.

2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.


Gentleness is – not necessarily acting, it is a disposition: composed, tolerant
Gentleness is not – fierce, unstable, quick, hard

After reading a definition like this, the first thing we naturally do is ask ourselves, “Am I gentle?” and, “Would my family describe me as gentle?”

The other word I focused on is “humble.”

Humble - the correct estimate of ourselves

This definition screams at me. When we moved into our house we received estimates on painting. One was too high and we were immediately turned off. One was too low and we were immediately skeptical. I could wrestle with this concept forever, but incase someone is reading this I will refrain!

Let’s just say that the Bible is talking about our Christian brothers and sisters and instructs us to, “Be completely gentle and humble . . .” I’m not there, are you?

O Lord, through the power of your Spirit, convict us of areas in our lives where gentleness and humility need to grow. Left to ourselves we are fierce, unstable, quick and hard. Soften us and give us a correct estimate of ourselves.