The fruit of the Spirit

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The fruit of the Spirit
Galatians

• Gentleness

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Gentleness defined

• Greek prautes (gentleness, meekness, humility)
• As defined by Aristotle
• The ability to bear reproaches and slights with
  moderation,
• and not to embark on revenge quickly,
• and not to be easily provoked to anger,
• but to be free from bitterness and
  contentiousness,
• having tranquility and stability in the spirit

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Gentleness defined

• Greek prautes
• As defined by Aristotle
• The man who displays prautes is angry
• on the right grounds,
• and against the right persons,
• and in the right manner,
• and at the right moment,
• and for the right length of time.

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Gentleness

• As used by the ancient Greeks
• To describe persons or things with a soothing
  quality
• To describe gentleness of conduct, especially on
  the part of people who had it in their power to
  act otherwise
• E.g., a king who forgives a servant

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Gentleness

• As used by the ancient Greeks
• To describe the ability to take unkind remarks
  with good nature
• i.e., Being able to discuss things without losing
  ones temper because of unkind or unfair personal
  remarks
• To describe the character in which strength and
  gentleness are perfectly combined
• A horse obedient to the reins
• A watchdog friendly toward its owner

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The example of Moses

• Num 123 (very humble NASB)
• Not a weakling or pushover
• Ex 211-12, 16-20
• Ex 3219-20, 25-28, 30-33
• Num 121-8
• As Gods servant, he could have acted
• But instead he let God act, if He so chose

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The example of Jesus

• Mt 1128-30
• Does not mean He was weak
• Mt 2651-56
• Power to call 12 legions of angels
• No cowering to the cohort which had arrested Him
• Mt 2711-14
• A king is a position of power
• Yet He took no action

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In the Christian life

• James 121
• Receive the Word without struggling against it
• James 313-18
• Shows wisdom and understanding
• 1 Pet 31-4
• A precious quality in Gods sight
• 1 Pet 315
• Needed in answering those who ask about our hope

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In the Christian life

• 1 Tim 33
• A quality of the elders of the church
• 2 Tim 224-26
• A quality of all servants of the Lord who would
  correct those who oppose the truth
• Gal 61
• A quality needed to restore lost brethren

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