The Vanishing Grace of Gentleness
2 Samuel 18:15
By Victor Knowles

Intro: Where are the men of David’s spirit today? The
art of gentleness is fast fading from the scene. It is scoffed, scorned, thrown
on the heap of past virtues and graces.

Prop: God’s Word upholds the spirit of gentleness as
something both desirable and needful.

1)     
Gentleness is a fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22)

a)      
Its opposite is “hatred, strife, wrath,” etc. (v.
20)

b)     
Is this fruit a part of your life in dealing with those in the
home and church or world?

2)     
Gentleness is a sign of wisdom (James 3:13-17).

a)      
Gentleness is a sign of a wise man, not a weak man!

b)     
Note the companion words in the context: peaceable, easy to be
intreated, mercy.

3)     
Gentleness is a requirement of teachers.

a)      
1 Thess. 2:1-7

i)        
We can be bold, content (v. 2), and exhort (v. 3) and yet be
gentle like a nurse with a child.

ii)      
See Titus 2:15; 3:1,2

b)     
2 Tim. 2:24-26

i)        
Three musts of an effective teacher:

(1)  
patience

(2)  
meekness

(3)  
gentleness

ii)      
Lack of gentleness may prevent their repentance and
acknowledging the truth

c)      
2 Cor. 10:1. Yet Paul had apostolic authority! (v. 8).

Conc: Is this fruit evident in your life? Are you a wise
man? Are you teaching others with gentleness? Are you a gentle man?