We're nearing the end of a 10-week series called New Year - New You.
The idea behind this series is to discover the key to living the Christian life.
When a person puts their faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior, they've become a New Creation. From that moment a growing process of "transformation" has begun and continues throughout our earthly life.
At salvation, God's Spirit indwells us and becomes the source of our empowerment to live the way God desires us to.
In Galatians 5:22-23 we see that the Spirit wants to produce fruit in our lives. These demonstrate the character qualities of Jesus.

We don't always live this way because we continually choose to return to the "mud rut" that we've always been in which is our old ways of thinking, feeling, and doing.
As we learn about each of these characteristics, we can honestly understand the difference between God's will and our will. If our heart desire is to honor God, then the Spirit will prod us to respond in a way that reflects the appropriate quality.
We have to ask ourselves, do I react in a sinful and selfish manner, or do I intentionally respond like Jesus would?

The 8th aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit that should be evidenced in our life is Gentleness; especially to others.
Philippians 4:5
Based on the original Greek word used in the New Testament, the word gentle or gentleness literally means "strength under control."
The term, in some versions of the Bible, has been translated "meek" but should never be confused with our idea of "weak"!
There are only two people in the Bible who are referred to by this word...Moses and Jesus and neither could be viewed as weak men. Each of them controlled their response to people and circumstances in a God honoring way.

A practical definition for gentleness might be: "A Spirit-inspired lifestyle that responds in a calm, caring, and controlled manner."
Opposites of this word would be: harsh, mean, rude, callous, and merciless.
One writer described gentleness by saying it is like a set of shock absorbers, springs, and struts on a car. If gentleness is lacking, we are jarred, become sore, bruise easily, suffer damage, and even find ourselves in dangerous situations.
Evidence of gentleness is seen in our response to people and life in general. Do we see and treat people differently? As though we are Jesus, and as though they are Jesus!

As we read through the Gospels, we see that Jesus exemplified gentleness through His humility and kindness, His treatment of and response to friends and foes, and yet He demonstrated strength and decisiveness when necessary.
Matthew 11:29
If we study His Words and life examples, the same characteristic will be slowly infused into our own life, and we will respond differently.

No one lived with greater power and authority than Jesus. Neither has anyone lived with greater opposition and criticism, and yet, lived with greater gentleness.
- Jesus was gentle with Martha
- Jesus was gentle with the man that interrupted Him & begged for healing of his son
- Jesus was gentle with two of His followers who jockeyed for position in His kingdom
- Jesus was gentle when He was falsely arrested, tried, tortured, and killed
- Jesus was gentle when Peter denied Him three times

But one of the greatest stories of gentleness is seen in John 8:1-11.
In this story we find four general types of people:
1. The judgmental who have little mercy for the sins and errors of others
2. Those who are aware of their sin, stand guilty, and face accountability
3. Those who've looked in the mirror at their own sin & chose not to judge
4. Those who show mercy to those in trouble & gently try to restore them

Jesus was gentle. He responded in a calm, caring, and controlled manner.

To be gentle does not mean weak or wimpy. Instead it means choosing your response to life rather than simply reacting.
Today we'll look at several ways the fruit of gentleness will be evident in our lifestyle and interactions with people.

First—Be UNDERSTANDING, not DEMANDING.
Philippians 2:4

Second—Be GRACIOUS, not CONTENTIOUS.
Proverbs 15:8; Romans 15:7; James 3:16-17

Third—Be a RESPONDER, not a REACTOR.
Romans 12:17, 21; 1 Peter 2:23

Fourth—Be RESPECTFUL, not SCORNFUL.
Colossians 4:6; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 3:15

Only God can truly change someone. If we realize that fact, then we quit trying to act like the Lord and instead, be available as His servant.