Gentleness is a vital quality that reflects the character of Jesus Christ, who is gentle and humble in His dealings with us, offering comfort and encouragement. His approach is not harsh or oppressive, but patient and tender, making obedience to His reasonable laws a source of peace. Where gentleness and humility prevail, there is calm, order, and quietness, contrasting sharply with the frustration and confusion brought by pride and anger. Gentleness, as a fruit of the Spirit, does not come naturally to many but is cultivated where God dwells, requiring us to put on virtues like compassion, lowliness, and patience. It is an active excellence in character, maintaining peace even amidst annoyances, and is closely tied to love, kindness, meekness, and humility. As followers of our gentle Lord and Savior, we must embody this quality in our interactions, reflecting a principled firmness that balances innocence with shrewd caution. True Christianity is gentle and pleasant, avoiding the appearance of evil, and our demeanor should consistently show kindness and tenderheartedness. Perfect gentle courtesy is essential in representing Christ, demanding patience and a commitment to treating others as God and Jesus Christ would, with reverence and respect.

Jesus gives an encouraging promise that He is gentle and humble in how He deals with believers. Christ is not harsh, overbearing, or oppressive, but gentle and patient in the way He governs. Where the gentleness and humility of Christ exists, there is truth, peace, and order. Paul explicitly lists gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit, a virtue that spiritually flourishes where God dwells. Gentleness is an excellence in character that acts to maintain peace and patience even amid exasperating annoyances. Within the Bible, gentleness is associated with love, kindness, peace, meekness, and humility. An important characteristic of the church is that believers are gentle. Followers must walk in the footsteps of the gentle Lord and Savior in how they deal with one another. This is not a gentleness that is naive or spineless, but a gentleness that lives with principled firmness like the innocence of doves. Doves are an outstanding symbol of gentleness, peace, and innocence. Simplicity and unconsciousness of self describe a key aspect of such gentleness. The specific characteristics stressed include deliberate gentleness and genuine humility from wisdom. This gentleness is strength under control, the control of the Spirit of God. The home is the primary training and testing ground for gentleness. It is not enough to just act patient and gentle. These qualities must be produced from the heart. Daily conduct will be gentle and perfect.

Gentleness comes from the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Paul's meekness and gentleness as a servant of Christ should not be confused with timidity. Paul preferred to come with love in a spirit of gentleness but was ready to come with a rod if necessary. Gentleness is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. The Greek word prautes is found in all translations of the New Testament. Meekness is an enduring of injury with patience and without resentment. The spirit of God cannot dwell in the heart of someone who is harsh or resentful. Even though there were arrogant people in the church at Corinth, gentleness was Paul's preferred means of dealing with them. In speaking of his ministry among the Thessalonians, Paul's gentleness takes on a maternal image. Gentleness is one of the spiritual weapons used against the sins of the world that are so harsh. Meekness is both internal and external in its execution in one's life. Gentleness is one of the best English words to express the outward operation of meekness. Meekness describes a condition of the mind and heart while gentleness describes mildness combined with tenderness. They go hand in hand. Gentleness is never a false modesty or a cowardly retreat from reality. Meekness and gentleness are commanded as the spirit in which certain duties are performed as Christians. These duties include restoring badly behaving Christians, correcting opponents of the truth, receiving the implanted word, and making a defense of the gospel. Gentleness is the spirit in which to learn and in which discipline must be applied and faults corrected. It is also the virtue for meeting opposition to the truth and giving a proper Christian witness. The focus of true meekness and gentleness is an inwardly developed tender-heartedness first and primarily towards God. It is impossible to have true unity without meekness and gentleness. Gentleness is a softness of manner and disposition with an absence of harshness, fierceness, or violence. The two biblical characters most readily associated with meekness are Moses and Jesus. Moses was very meek more than all men on the face of the earth. Meekness is not weakness but strength under control. Jesus characterizes Himself as gentle and lowly in heart. Gentleness is a God-like quality and was strongly evident in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus often demonstrated the character traits of meekness and gentleness. Jesus had massive strength at His disposal but restrained His use of power because He knew that He must die to bring salvation to the weak. He is the King of kings who entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. From the cross He prays that His heavenly Father would forgive those who crucify Him. Gentleness should be an ever-present restraint in all thoughts and actions. In the Christian man God carefully blends gentleness with firm masculinity to produce an attractive combination. Gentleness comes as one grows spiritually. As love and forgiveness are developed and as concentration is placed on people's virtues rather than their faults, gentleness develops. A gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in the sight of God.

Gentleness is a balance between extremes. It is strength submitted to God and power under control. Gentleness can be described as love touching. Without gentleness love does not touch others. Without meekness the touch is harmful instead of helpful. Only as strength is submitted to God and power is brought under the control of God's Holy Spirit through love can one reach out and touch another. Gentleness requires strength. Meekness requires an intricate balance of strength or power channeled into Godly purposes. The Greek word Prah-oos or Pra-utes is translated as subdued or broken or obedient as a wild stallion trained for battle. Wild horses never win races until they submit to the bit and bridle. Meekness brings God's called-out ones under control. It enables them to tame the temper, calm the passions, manage the unruly impulses of the heart, and bring order out of the chaos to the human spirit. The more one grows in meekness the more useful one becomes to Almighty God. The godly quality of meekness, gentleness, or humility consists of submitting to God Almighty. This enables Him to carefully couple maximum spiritual strength with maximum spiritual control. Gentleness is having the right, the power and authority to do something but choosing to bring it under control to fulfill a higher good. God is all-powerful, but God never misuses His power. God is the perfect Father who never overreacts and is gentle with His often-unruly children. God has all the power in the universe, yet He is gentle with His people. He wants them to learn to be like Him. Then when He gives power He will know that it will not be used cruelly or rashly. Meekness is a specific virtue, tool, way, or fruit that is excellent in dealing with conflict or potential conflict within relationships. A priest, a judge, or a king must demonstrate empathy toward clients. Meekness is the by-product of deep thorough humility and an awareness of the seriousness of what past conduct produced. Awareness of sin keeps pride in check. Meekness enables one to be submissive, malleable, pliable, and teachable. Gentleness shows the world that the way of violent encounters and situations ruled by emotion is not the better way. God wants gentleness demonstrated because human beings require a gentle touch in order to profoundly change their lives. Three factors are involved in meekness. One is being submissive to the will of God. The word itself has more to do with the relationship with God than the relationship with other people. The second means being teachable. One is so submissive to the will of God that one is teachable, moldable, pliable, and responsive clay on the potter's table. The third means that after unconditional surrender to Almighty God one considers other people, how they feel, and what they are going through. Actions toward others are based on a consideration of that person.

Kindness, as a fruit of God's Spirit, is a foundational aspect of our daily sacrifices, reflecting the character of God Himself. It is an outward attribute, showing that we are like God through His enabling Spirit, and it requires work to put on each day. Kindness is the feeling of compassion in action, encompassing right thoughts, words, gestures, and deeds, reciprocating God's sacrificial love outwardly to others. Only through humble daily sacrifice and obedience, bonded with God, can we perform acts of kindness that control our minds to think positively of others and seek opportunities to serve. Kindness bridles our tongue, never complaining, as complaining is unkind, self-focused, and contrary to God's nature. God's Spirit of kindness never speaks evil of anyone, readily gives to those in need without keeping score, and forbears, forgives, and accepts loss of self-esteem to maintain peace. True kindness arises from spiritual transformation and submission to God, especially in challenging situations. It is not optional for God's called; it is a necessary response to the forgiveness and compassion we have received from Him. Unlike the world's kindness, which often expects something in return, God's fruit of kindness is given to everyone, whether deserved or not, reflecting His own kindness to the unthankful and evil. When we struggle to extend kindness or forgiveness, the issue lies in our relationship with God, indicating a lack of complete daily burnt offerings of our humble mind. Understanding the fullness of God's mercy and kindness empowers us, through His Holy Spirit, to exhibit this humble sacrifice of kindness to all, regardless of merit. Each act of kindness, given without expectation, transforms our selfish carnal mind into a selfless, godly one, producing the fruit of God's Spirit and fostering unity and peace with God and fellow man.