Thread by @MattSmethurst

I think the most underrated fruit of the Spirit is gentleness.

Gentleness is a major emphasis in Scripture and a major mark of a Christian. No, not the only mark, but a major one.

“Your gentleness made me great” (2 Sam. 22:36; Ps. 18:35).

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1).

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life” (Prov. 15:4).

“A gentle tongue can break a bone” (Prov. 25:5).

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29).

“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey” (Matt. 21:5).

“I, Paul, entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:1).

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1).

“Walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1–3).

“Let your gentleness be evident to all” (Phil. 4:5).

“We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (1 Thess. 2:7).

“An overseer must be . . . not violent but gentle” (1 Tim. 3:1, 3).

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue . . . gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11).

“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness” (2 Tim. 2:24–25).

“Remind them to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1–2).

“The wisdom from above is . . . gentle” (James 3:17).

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:15).

Okay, I’m done. Though I’d ordinarily apologize for the length of the thread, in this case I’m not apologetic.* Sometimes we need to be overwhelmed by what the Bible says.

*spoken gently, of course