Tag Archives: 2Timo2:24

Fruit of Gentleness – Fri – 21-07-23

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Did you know that some celebrities are known to have a bad temper? Of course, you did! But did you know you can find a listing on the internet of the 12 celebrities known for big temper tantrums?* It was published in 2014, so I’m sure it would need to be updated today. Reading the list you see people who quarrel, are quick to anger and have had intense conflict with others – often captured on video. They are the opposite of gentleness or meekness.

But, being quarrelsome is not confined to celebrities only. Most of us fly off the handle at one time or another. We really do need God’s Spirit to produce gentleness in us.

Listen to 2 Timothy 2:24-26, “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”(NIV)

Did you catch that phrase about gently instructing those who oppose him? It takes a lot of strength to respond to opposition with gentleness rather than anger. Perhaps that’s why we need the power of God to produce that gentleness in our lives.

*Kaye L, “12 Celebs Known For The Most Dramatic Temper Tantrums,” The Richest, December 20, 2014, https://www.therichest.com/entertainment/12-celebs-known-for-the-most-dramatic-temper-tantrums/

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Fruit of Kindness – Sat – 21-06-19

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Today, we wrap up our focus on the fruit of the Spirit called kindness. We’ve learned that the word kind describes actions that are pleasant, not irritating. It is the big-hearted attitude that allows us to be generous to those who do not deserve it. Let’s look at one more contrast to kindness.

In 2 Timothy 2:24, being kind is contrasted with quarreling. To quarrel is to have a conflict using words. Another word to describe this is to argue. People have conflicts in-person, through text and on social media. They hurl hurtful words at each other. Quarreling is the opposite of kindness. Also, quarreling often leads to physical conflicts. Just do a web search for news articles using the words argument or quarrel as search terms. You’ll find lots of stories about verbal conflicts becoming physical.

Not only is kindness the opposite of quarrelling, it is a description of love. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, Paul lists two positive attributes of love before listing several things love is not. The verse begins, “Love is patient, love is kind.”

So, check yourself. Are you arguing and quarreling with people in your family, at work, or next door? God’s Spirit is working to produce kindness in you. So don’t follow the urge to hurl hurtful words. Instead follow the prompting to say or text kind words and do kind things to those around you.

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.