Susan Dies 0:00

Welcome back to the One Yes At A Time podcast. My name is Susan Dies and I'm here with my friend and my co-host, Keidra Hobley, and we're so glad that you've joined us today as we continue our conversation on the fruit of the Spirit." And Keidra, we only have two episodes left in season 2.

Keidra Hobley 0:16

Whoa.

Susan Dies 0:17

We have today's episode, Say "Yes" to Gentleness, and in a couple of weeks, we'll have our final episode for season 2, Say "Yes" to Self-Control.

Keidra Hobley 0:25

Mm-hmm. I'm ready.

Susan Dies 0:27

So for anyone who may not know what we mean by the fruit of the Spirit, would you mind explaining that just so they have a foundation and a framework for the conversation?

Keidra Hobley 0:36

Yes. So, I would encourage you to actually go back to the first episode of this season and listen to that. But, the fruit of the Spirit... the Holy Spirit within us allow these characteristics of Jesus to flow out of us. It is evidence of our salvation.

Susan Dies 0:51

Right. And so the fruit of the Spirit is this list of attributes- Mm-hmm that we find in Galatians 5:22-23 that should be evident in the heart and life of every believer, qualities that should be growing in us as we learn to live a life controlled by the Spirit of God. Yes. And so we've covered love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Today we're talking about gentleness, and in a couple of weeks we'll be talking about self-control. And Paul wrote, "Against these things there is no law." Yes. Paul was contrasting these qualities with the sinful desires of the flesh, which he also listed in verses 19-21. He was contrasting what is evil with what is good, and you can look at these two lists side by side, and it's so clear- Mm which one we should choose. Can you even imagine if everyone in the world would just look at these two lists and acknowledge how different life could be, how God intended it to be when He created us, if we all made an effort to grow in the fruit of the Spirit

Keidra Hobley 1:55

Uh, no. It's hard to imagine, but it would be wonderful.

Susan Dies 1:57

Well, I think today's episode is a good place to start if we wanna make a difference by simply making the choice to say yes to growing in the fruit of the spirit of gentleness. So let me just start with the word gentle. Okay. When you hear that word, what comes to your mind?

Keidra Hobley 2:14

To me, soft. Easy. Mm-hmm. Peaceful. Mm-hmm. A, a newborn baby. Mm-hmm. Um, I don't know why cotton balls keep coming to my mind.

Susan Dies 2:25

That's funny. I was thinking about, uh, toilet paper. Oh, well, okay. Good. So I wasn't too far off. Isn't that funny? That came to my mind because, you know, they have Angel Soft, and they have- Oh all these soft- Yes toilet paper brands. And I was thinking about, a few months ago, David went to Sam's. Okay. He loves to buy in bulk. Mm-hmm. I don't. Okay. I think that's a man thing. Mm-hmm. They like to just get as much as they can. Uh-huh. Just make one trip to the store, you know, once every six months, but- There you go he did not see that it was only one ply. Oh. And it was scratchy. Mm-hmm. And he bought so much of it, and it was not gentle or soft in any way. Mm. And so gentleness matters- Yes, it does not just in the way we treat one another- but also think about the gentleness of maybe a healthcare worker when someone- Mm-hmm is sick or- Yes dying... but in general, in our day-to-day interactions with people, I just think we don't see the quality of gentleness- Mm-hmm that much. But the Bible makes it clear, and we'll see this in some of the verses we look at today, that gentleness is one of the most persuasive, powerful qualities that a person can have. That's so good. Yeah. So let's dream just a little bit. Okay. What would it look like if we all decided for just one day- Mm-hmm that in every interaction, we would consciously choose to be gentle in the way that we related and responded to other people?

Keidra Hobley 3:40

Well, the first thing that just came to my mind is the joy, the happiness, the lightness, the freedom I think we could experience if we were intentional about being more gentle.

Susan Dies 3:51

I was thinking about how Jesus was and is the most gentle man to ever live. Um hmm.. And as believers, He is our example, and we see His gentleness on display all throughout the Gospels as He interacted with people- Mm-hmm especially people in need, people who were marginalized, even people caught in the very act of sin. Yeah. His manner was gentle. His words were gentle. His tone was gentle, even when He was correcting someone. Yes. Jesus has shown us what gentleness looks like. It's not always easy, but that's the beauty of the Spirit who lives in the heart of believers. Even though it may not be natural- Mm-hmm for us to choose gentleness, because God's Spirit lives in us, we can learn to be gentle by following the example of Christ. And when we do, the Spirit empowers us to be gentle, even in situations when being gentle is the opposite of what we might be feeling.

Keidra Hobley 4:43

Yeah, that's good. The fact that you said we can choose to be gentle. I think we feel like we're supposed to automatically have these characteristics, but it's a conscious choice.

Susan Dies 4:52

That's right. Yeah. So let me ask you this. Is there ever a time when gentleness is not warranted, like when confrontation- Mm-hmm is necessary? Because I think having confrontation and being gentle at the same time seems like an oxymoron. Mm-hmm. What do you think about that?

Keidra Hobley 5:10

Yeah, I, the first thing that came to my mind was the image of Jesus turning over the tables. Mm-hmm. You know, that, that's not something, that people would look at and say, "Oh, He's being very gentle in that." but it was done out of love of the Father. Like, that moment was not the moment to be gentle and turning over the tables, um- Would be something that the world would consider not being gentle. Mm-hmm.

Susan Dies 5:36

But even As He was flipping over the tables, He wasn't hurting people. Yes. He was making a firm point. Mm-hmm. Jesus always confronted evil and hypocrisy and injustice, and He expects that of believers as well. And the few times in scripture when we hear anger in His voice or we see anger in His actions, it was always for righteousness sake. Absolutely. And so that's the difference. And so yes, there are times when confrontation and righteous anger is the appropriate response, but there is a right way and there is a wrong way to express ourselves in those situations. And so it's important for us to look to God's Word- Mm-hmm and to look to the example of Jesus, and even to the people in our own lives who are better at being gentle than we are, so that we can know the right way and ultimately grow in this fruit of the Spirit. Would you consider yourself a gentle person?

Keidra Hobley 6:29

No. No? Okay. I mean, I, I- I only say no because I, I'm built to be direct. Mm-hmm. And so it's not that I'm not gentle, but just, just because of how I show up, you know? Mm-hmm.

Susan Dies 6:40

So is there anyone who models gentleness or who has helped you to become more gentle?

Keidra Hobley 6:47

Do I know anyone who I think models that well? Yes. The person I kinda see as a spiritual mother in my life- Mm-hmm I see is very, very gentle. And so what I see in her is that- that power and gentleness can coexist. Right 'Cause she is one of the most spiritually powerful ladies that I know, and yet she is still very gentle and kind. So yeah.

Susan Dies 7:12

I love that. I think for me, the ability to be gentle, especially in difficult moments- Mm-hmm... is the result more of an inner peace that I've come to experience as I walk closer and closer with Christ. When I'm keeping in step with His Spirit, when I'm in His Word, when I'm consciously putting His Word into practice- Yes. I'm a lot more gentle. Mm-hmm. It's more important to me that people see the presence of Christ in me as I interact and respond to others than it is to just have my way. Yeah. And that's not to say that I'm always gentle. Sometimes I can still be reactive- Mm-hmm when I'm upset or my feelings have been hurt. But some Of gentleness is just learning to mature- Yes in who you are in Christ- Yes... and recognizing that you don't always have to defend- Mm-hmm everything. Mm-hmm... and choose not to take offense as you- Yes say. Yes. And I love that about you. You just choose not to be offended. Right. You know, earlier I said that gentleness is one of the most persuasive, powerful characteristics that a person can possess, and I based that on a couple of scriptures. Okay. The first one is Proverbs 25:15. Okay. And it says, "Through patience, a ruler can be persuaded- Mm and a gentle tongue can break a bone." Yes. The second verse is Proverbs 15:1. Mm-hmm. It says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath." So what stands out to you in both of these verses?

Keidra Hobley 8:37

Mm, what's coming out of my mouth. Right. Mm-hmm. So the power- And the way it- of the tongue? Yes. Yeah.

Susan Dies 8:42

So in Proverbs 25:15, what I see is the key to the power of persuasion. Mm-hmm. Okay. Patience- Yes a gentle tongue, kind words, a soft tone, and then just giving a person time to think about it. The fact that a ruler is being persuaded, and remember King Solomon is writing this. Mm-hmm. Implies that they have a different opinion or point of view than the person persuading them, right? Mm-hmm, yes. So when it says, "A gentle tongue can break a bone," the bone represents something that is hard. Yeah. You know, something that is- That's good set in place.. Yes... something not easily broken. And yet this verse says that a gentle tongue is able to persuade a king who is already set in his ways- Mm-hmm... not By Arguing or making demands but by gently, respectfully, wisely, kindly, stating our point of view- Mm-hmm and then just giving someone time to mull it over. Yes. That's what changed his heart.

Keidra Hobley 9:35

His heart. That's so good.

Susan Dies 9:36

Yeah. And then we see in Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath." The word gentle in these verses means soft and tender. It's the very opposite of how we tend to respond to people who are angry.. Mm-hmm... especially when their anger is directed at us. Towards us. Right? Right, yeah. And yet it says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath." And so the Bible is telling us we have the power to disarm- Mm someone who is angry, someone who is trying to hurt us with their words, not by matching their anger- Mm-hmm with our own anger- Mm-hmm but by doing the exact opposite- Yes of what they would expect, which is to respond with gentleness and with a soft tone. What do you think about all that?

Keidra Hobley 10:18

That's really good because the world would not say it that way. The world wants to retaliate and give back what was given to them. And, and it's just like everything else in the kingdom, it's the opposite of what the world would say.

Susan Dies 10:29

Right. Can you think of an example of a time when maybe gentleness and a soft tone of voice either persuaded someone to listen to what you had to say, or maybe you even were able to change their mind, or a time when you responded with gentleness- Mm-hmm... instead of frustration or anger with someone who was angry with you, and it completely diffused the situation? Mm-hmm. Yeah. Okay.

Keidra Hobley 10:51

I actually have, a- and let me preface it by saying it's not easy. It's not easy. It's not easy. You know, I can recall one time in particular, someone was very angry and just shared all the things towards me, you know.. Mm-hmm.. that they were angry about. And I sat and I listened and I listened and I listened and- at the end of it, I said one gentle sentence. I didn't try to defend myself.. And that one gentle sentence... what can you say back to that? Right. You know, because there was no argument. And so I think that's what I see in this when the word says, "A gentle response can turn away wrath." Like- It ends it. It ends the argument.. Yeah... because it never starts, right?

Susan Dies 11:28

So really, the stronger person- Mm-hmm is the one who can sit and listen to all that- Mm-hmm and choose to respond with gentleness- Yes in order to end it- Yes rather than to defend. mm-hmm. One thing I learned so many years ago that helped me is just because someone says it- Yes it hurts, but it doesn't make it true. That's so right. Yeah. Yes. So let that sink in. Yes. I love it when we take God at His word- Mm-hmm and we actually put it into practice in our lives, and- Yes we find out that His way actually works.. Mm-hmm... even though it's usually contrary to our human nature. Mm-hmm. Every time this happens, it strengthens our faith- Mm-hmm to know that God's Word really is true. Mm-hmm. And it helps us to trust that His ways really are better. So often our pride hinders our willingness to do things God's way, and I think it's one of the things that hinders our growth in the area of gentleness.

Keidra Hobley 12:20

Yes. I mean, and that's gonna always be the challenge is to continue to grow- Mm-hmm

Susan Dies 12:25

Yeah. So how do you think pride hinders- Mm our ability to grow?

Keidra Hobley 12:29

Mm, because pride thinks it's fine just as it is. Mm. There's no need to grow. Mm. It doesn't wanna be challenged. It doesn't wanna be stretched. It just wants to remain.

Susan Dies 12:36

So- how does it keep us from growing in gentleness specifically?

Keidra Hobley 12:41

Mm, because it defends where it stands. Mm. Right. You know, it- It thinks it's always right it, yeah, right. Yeah. Even in that previous example, I have a right to defend myself. I have a right to- Mm-hmm come back at them the way they came at me. So pride doesn't humble itself. Duh, pride doesn't humble itself. That's funny. Uh, but- pride, pride- Pride doesn't humble itself it has no humility in it- Yeah enough to be gentle, so.

Susan Dies 13:04

Right, right. So pride hinders gentleness- Mm-hmm because gentleness requires humility. That's it. And pride and humility cannot coexist in the same moment. That's so good, yes. And so we have to choose, and our choices tell us a lot about who's on the throne of our hearts. Mm-hmm. Is it us- Yeah... or is it God? And so I think it really comes down to an issue of the heart and an issue of trust. Are we gonna do things- God's way? Mm-hmm. Or are we gonna be prideful and trust ourselves and do, and say, whatever we want- Mm-hmm and then deal with the fallout that comes with that? Yeah. Or do it God's way and have it end in a peaceful, more gentle way than we could've ever expected? We're not gonna know unless we make that choice. Yeah. And so my encouragement to listeners today is try it. Yes. I think about what one of my pastor's wives said to me one time when I was telling her about some things going on in my life. And she said, "What if you tried this?" Mm-hmm. And 'this' happened to be something that was in God's word. And I said, "You know, that might work for you because you're a pastor's wife." Oh, wow. "And you have a different situation, but I just don't think it would work for me." Mm-hmm. And she said, "Go home and try it. And if it doesn't work, come back and tell me, and we will throw the Bible out the window together." Oh, wow. She was that sure- Mm-hmm

Keidra Hobley 14:17

that- The Word will do what it says it will do.

Susan Dies 14:19

That's right. Yeah. And it really had a lot to do with what we're talking about- Wow right now. Mm. And so she was one of the biggest helps to me... to grow in gentleness. And, and gentleness was always written all over her face.

Keidra Hobley 14:30

That's beautiful. So Somebody will be able to say that about me one day. Yeah.

Susan Dies 14:35

Yeah, that would be a great thing for someone to say- Mm-hmm about any of us... but as you said, choosing gentleness is not always easy, especially when we're tired or when we're stressed- Yeah or when we're overwhelmed. So, what are some ways that we can practice gentleness in those times?

Keidra Hobley 14:52

When we're tired- Mm-hmm stressed- Mm-hmm overwhelmed. I like in the Word where it says Jesus just chose to be silent. Mm. I think that we don't sometimes see- That's so good. that gentleness can come in the form of silence. Yeah. because we feel like we need to defend ourselves so much. And so I think when we're overwhelmed and overworked and tired, the best thing we can choose is just to remain silent.

Susan Dies 15:17

Mm. I like that. Mm-hmm. What are some ways we can cultivate gentleness in our everyday life and in our interactions with other people?

Keidra Hobley 15:24

I can speak from, like, my perspective because the Lord just blessed me with a big voice. Like- Mm-hmm and so my tone is loud, even when I'm being gentle. And so sometimes to make a conscious choice to soften my voice. Mm. To speak a little softer or lower. Mm-hmm. When I'm talking to someone who has a soft voice, I try my best to, to kinda just soften my voice. Mm-hmm. Because I think sometimes it's just perception, you know?

Susan Dies 15:49

Yeah. Sometimes it's not what we say- Exactly. The way- it's the tone of voice that we use- Mm-hmm or how we say it. Mm-hmm. Yes. What else?

Keidra Hobley 15:56

Um, just pausing before we respond- Mm-hmm I think will help us to be more gentle. Mm-hmm. That we don't have to have an immediate reaction. Right. We can just take time to think before we allow those words to come out of our mouths.

Susan Dies 16:09

Right, right. Think before you speak. There we go. So often we're not really listening when someone's talking because we heard one thing that we didn't like.. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm... and from that point, we quit listening.. Mm-hmm... so we miss maybe the whole point of what they were trying to say because we're so busy formulating our response to the one thing we heard that we didn't like, right? Yeah. Right. And so when we do that and we tune out everything else, we can miss the whole point. The goal of conversations is to hear and to understand the heart of another person. Mm-hmm. And gentleness, an attitude of gentleness makes that possible. So we have to sometimes just decide ahead of time, I really wanna hear what this person has to say. Mm-hmm. Not just the words, but the heart behind it- Yeah and then respond to that. And don't feel like you have to say everything that comes to mind, right? Amen. Amen. Psalm 139:4 says the Lord knows every word on our tongue, even before we speak it. Yeah. And so as believers, we need to pause long enough to give the Holy Spirit time to filter our words. Mm-hmm. And if that's convicting to any of our listeners, me too. Mm-hmm. me too. We all need to take the time to really think more- Yeah before we speak. Yes. Anything else come to mind?

Keidra Hobley 17:20

No, those are good.

Susan Dies 17:20

Okay. Well, let me throw some out there and you, give me your thoughts about it. Okay. What about listening to others with a posture of humility? Okay. One of the best ways, I think, to cultivate gentleness in our life is to recognize that no one is perfect. Mm-hmm. No one gets it right every time, so at least be willing to listen to others who have a different viewpoint. I heard someone say it this way. What if we entered every conversation with the thought- What if I'm wrong and they're right? Mm. What if we really listened- Yeah to what they had to say? Yes. it might change- Mm-hmm our perspective and our thoughts. I think about James 1:19 that says, "Everyone," so that's all of us, "should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." Yes. And so I think this is an area that we could all improve, and it requires the Holy Spirit's help because- Absolutely again, it is so contrary to our nature to really listen. Mm-hmm. With humility. Yes, that's so good. What else? What about consider how what you're gonna say is gonna land on the ears of the person that's listening. Okay. That's good. You know, I think about that a lot when I'm preparing to teach. I wanna make sure that whatever it is that I'm saying is in alignment with God's word, but I also wanna make sure that I speak that truth in love, and that I cover it with a whole lot of grace. Yeah. I think about a cake. Uh-huh. That's the truth. The icing on the cake is the grace. Okay. And we need both truth and grace. You know, even if it convicts another person, the things that we say, the gentleness with which we speak something- Mm-hmm can make all the difference about whether or not another person can actually receive it.

Keidra Hobley 18:56

That's good. Yeah. So- It's like a spoonful of sugar.

Susan Dies 18:59

Yeah I mean, Christians should never sugarcoat Yeah the truth, so to speak, but we should sound like Jesus when we speak that truth. That's so good, yeah. Colossians 4:6 says "Let your words be gracious, Mm-hmm so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Keidra Hobley 19:13

That's so good. Yes.

Susan Dies 19:14

I'm gonna throw out one that I think is gonna make you raise your eyebrows-

Keidra Hobley 19:18

Okay, I'm ready.

Susan Dies 19:19

Lower your expectations. Oh. Yeah, it did. So what just came to your mind? Oh. Lower your expectations. I ask that because I know that you have high expectations- Yes of yourself. Yes. But also- Of others of others. Yes. And so do I. And I just had to learn over the years that expectations, my expectations- Mm-hmm... are the killer of joy.

Keidra Hobley 19:40

My God. What, what are your... Okay. Well. I'm just convicted. I'm just, I'm just feeling convicted right now. Oh, goodness. No, that's, but that's a good thing. That's a good thing. Mm-hmm. But yeah, and it takes humility- Yes to lower your expectations. So- Right mm, my God. Right. Okay.

Susan Dies 19:56

That's not to say that we shouldn't strive for excellence- That's right- or want excellence- in the lives of people that we love or the people that we're leading or guiding. We should have normal expectations, like that a spouse is gonna be faithful- Mm-hmm or that your children are gonna listen and obey, you know, that your friends are gonna be trustworthy, that coworkers are gonna pull their weight. Those are all appropriate expectations- Mm-hmm things that we can expect. But I'm talking about expectations that we have of others to do things the way we want them done. Yeah. The expectations we can have that someone else is responsible for our happiness. Mm. Wow. You know, I think that happens a lot. Or the expectation of perfection- Mm-hmm in ourselves and in others. These aren't realistic expectations, and they always lead us to disappointment but they also cause us to have an inability to be gentle with the people who are not meeting those expectations. Mm. And the only person that we can control or change is ourselves. Is ourselves. That's right. That's right. Mm-hmm. So any expectation outside of that is gonna hinder our gentleness toward others who are never gonna measure up to whatever standard we have in our minds- Mm-hmm that maybe they don't even know about. So I'm sure there's a Bible verse for that. Yeah. I didn't come up with one, but I think all of that pretty much stands- Absolutely on its own. Would you agree?

Keidra Hobley 21:16

Absolutely, I do. And as you were saying that, what came to my mind was not only do we need to learn to do that for other people, we need to learn to be more gentle with ourselves. Mm-hmm. That's right. You know? And lower the expectation that we've placed on ourselves. Mm-hmm. I think that is a way that we can love ourselves better and will help us therefore be more gentle with other people. Mm-hmm. So yeah. I think that's true. Yeah. So good.

Susan Dies 21:42

What about choose to forgive? Oh, yeah. Absolutely. How do you think forgiveness teaches us gentleness?

Keidra Hobley 21:48

Mm-hmm. When we choose not to forgive, all of that pent-up frustration, resentment, anger will cause us not to be gentle- We get a hard heart. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah.

Susan Dies 21:59

So forgiveness, I think- is probably the most difficult aspect of cultivating gentleness- Mm-hmm in our life. It often takes the longest to grow, but when it does, it is so life-changing.. Mm-hmm... because it literally frees us in the best sense of the word. The ability to forgive and to entrust that thing that's hurt us- Yes and to entrust the person who has hurt us- Mm-hmm and whatever God may do with all of that, is a clear indication that God is at work in the heart of someone. And we're never more like Jesus than when we choose to forgive. Yeah. And it's so hard sometimes to get there, but if you consider the words of Colossians three thirteen it says, "Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive." Think about that. God has forgiven the sins, not just yours and mine, but of the whole world. Mm-hmm. Billions and billions of people, and He did it by sending His one and only Son, Jesus. Mm-hmm. And the very first words that Jesus spoke from the cross as He was being crucified were, "Father, forgive them." Forgive them. And so I don't know what someone listening today may have to forgive of another person, but I want you to know that Jesus understands. Yes. And if He can forgive, and His Spirit now lives in you as a believer, you also can forgive. Mm-hmm. Just try it- Yeah and see if He won't empower you to do that. And see if you don't immediately feel a weight being lifted off your life.

Keidra Hobley 23:25

So good. Yeah. And we have to be intentional about that, though. That's right. We're not gonna accidentally do that. No. Yeah.

Susan Dies 23:32

No. What else? What verses or words of wisdom did God put on your heart to share- Mm- that we haven't touched on yet?

Keidra Hobley 23:39

Yeah, just the fact that gentle is who He is. Christ himself is the best example of gentleness. And there are several places in the Word where it speaks to Jesus as gentle, but Matthew 11:29 was one where He says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." Mm-hmm. So gentle is who He is. And so if we look to Him for an example, then that's the perfect example of gentleness. Mm-hmm. How about this one? I'm gonna switch gears. 1 Peter 3:4, "Rather it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle-" Mm "and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." And so that takes me back to when we were talking about sometimes just being silent is a good way to show gentleness. Right. So the fact that he put gentle and quiet together was a eye-opener for me.

Susan Dies 24:31

Right. Yeah. I came across this verse- Okay this morning in my quiet time... and I was thinking about that quality of genleness... how beautiful it is when we see it and when- Yeah we experience it. It's literally the essence of true beauty that makes even the most plain person- Mm. Yeah beautiful. And haven't you met people before that they're kind of unremarkable if you see 'em from a distance? Yes. But when you get to know them- Mm-hmm and you get to hear their heart and they have this quality of gentleness, they become one of the most beautiful people in your life.

Keidra Hobley 25:04

Yeah. And isn't that how they describe Jesus? He was unremarkable- Right in His outward appearance.

Susan Dies 25:08

Nothing in His appearance- Yes that would draw us to Him. Yeah. Yeah. And we go to a lot of effort- Outward to look good outwardly.. Yeah... but it's true beauty, the gentleness of the heart that God values. Mm-hmm. And I wanna be that.

Keidra Hobley 25:22

So good. Yes, absolutely. But can we still be cute on the outside at the same time? Yes. Okay, I just wanna make sure.

Susan Dies 25:28

If we go to video at some point, we're gonna have to. Oh, yes. Uh, see right now we can still do baseball hats- Yes- t-shirts, but actually I may, still do that. Yeah, absolutely... because that's just who I am- Who we are a lot of times. You know, we talked about just how powerful- Mm-hmm gentleness is. Yes. Galatians six one says, "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin- Yes- you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently." Gently. Mm-hmm. "But watch yourselves or you also may be tempted." And so that means we don't ignore the sins- Mm-hmm of someone who is sinning. We talk to them about it and a lot of people don't have the courage to do that. Right. They think, you know, "It's none of my business." Mm-hmm. And I guess if we go and talk to someone, and we speak truth gently in love and they say, "it's none of your business", then you do have to- Right, right bow out. But so often we don't have the courage to confront anyone- Mm in their sin in a loving and truthful and gracious way. And yet God may be wanting to use us- Yes and the relationship that we've built with another person to be that very one- Mm-hmm that they might listen to. Yes. And so we need to be willing to do that but we need to do it gently because we could just as easily fall to some sin in our own life. Mm. Yes. Any other thoughts

Keidra Hobley 26:45

I, I read this quote as I was preparing for today. It said, "Nothing is so strong as gentleness." Hmm. "And nothing is so gentle as real strength." Oh, I love that. Isn't that so good? That's so beautiful. And it just made me pause for a minute. Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as real strength. I love it.

Susan Dies 27:08

I do, too. Mm-hmm. And I said earlier we're gonna talk a little bit about the definition of gentleness in the New Testament. Mm-hmm. And it's interesting because it's strength under control. Yes. It's that quiet strength. Yes... that gentle strength that we see in people who are very confident- Mm-hmm they don't have that need to be harsh or to defend because they know who they are. Yes. And Jesus knew who He was. Yes. He was the Son of God. Mm. And He knew why He came. Right. He came to take away the sins of the world, and it didn't really matter what anyone else thought of Him, and so He was able to show love- Mm-hmm and be gentle throughout His entire life. And of course, we know He did it perfectly.

Keidra Hobley 27:48

Yes, He did.

Susan Dies 27:49

And we're not gonna do it perfectly, but we have Christ- Yes as our example.

Keidra Hobley 27:53

That's beautiful.

Susan Dies 27:53

Any last words for our listeners today? Be gentle. Okay. Uh, practice. Practice. Think about, how can I be gentle today? Yeah. When I go into a conversation with someone.. Mm-hmm... when I interact with someone, let it be said of me when I walk away that I wasn't harsh. Mm-hmm. That I wasn't disrespectful. Mm-hmm. That I used a kind tone of voice. Mm-hmm. And Are we leaving people better than we found them? That's good. You know? That's so important. All right, well, we're out of time today, and we hope that you've enjoyed today's episode on the importance of growing in gentleness and the fact that it is God's Spirit in us who helps us, and so we're not on our own. In a couple of weeks, we're gonna be doing our final episode, Say Yes to Self-Control, so we hope that you'll join us for that as well. In the meantime if you liked what you heard today, feel free to share it with a friend or leave us a review. We would love to hear from you. You can go to oneyessatatime.net or you can reach out to us on whatever your favorite streaming platform happens to be. Thank you for listening today. And Keidra, could you pray us out?

Keidra Hobley 28:57

Yes, absolutely. Father, we thank you for this time in your presence. Yeah. We thank you for you, Jesus, being the perfect example of what gentleness looks like. Mm-hmm. Help us to be more like you. Help us to develop this fruit of the Spirit. We thank you for it. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Amen.