“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” This phrase in Matthew 5:5 is part of what we call the “Beatitudes,” the first section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes serve as a perfect introduction to this sermon as we learn what qualities one must possess to be part of His kingdom. It is not only about actions, but who you truly are at your core and what is in your heart. Like our Lord Jesus, if we want to be a part of the kingdom, we must be willing to treat people the way that He did. Among these kingdom qualities, gentleness stands out because it is often misunderstood. True strength in the New Testament is displayed not through power or aggression, but through humble, self-controlled love.
As Christians, perhaps we avoid ungodly language, adultery, killing, stealing, and so forth, but how often are we intentional about gentleness? How often do we regret moments when we fail to show gentleness? Though often overlooked, gentleness should be a daily pursuit for every Christian. Gentleness is not passivity, but strength under control. It is willing submission, selflessness, humility, and kindness toward others.
In my experience, gentleness as a character trait is not often emphasized in our culture. In fact, many messages promote ideas that are in conflict or in exact opposition to gentleness. The world has mistakenly equated gentleness with weakness. Our culture often celebrates those who are loud, dominant, and unwilling to yield. Scripture, however, presents a very different picture of gentleness. The world might not see greatness in someone washing the feet of a bunch of other people, someone making time for children, someone caring for the sick, or someone who was dying. The idea of strength in our culture is skewed, mistaking peacefulness, kindness, and selflessness for passivity and fragility. That is not at all how it is portrayed in the Bible!
Gentleness is a part of the upside-down kingdom of which Jesus speaks. The world likes to see aggression. People tell us, “Be loud and proud! Don’t let anyone push you around! Look out for number one!” But what truly takes more strength? Which is harder: Jesus fighting back against the crowds who were mistreating Him to put them in their place, or giving Himself up for their salvation? Which takes more strength: striking down the people putting Jesus on the cross or being led to the cross like a lamb to the slaughter? It took an incredible amount of strength for Jesus to ask God on His dying breath to forgive His very enemies orchestrating His death. This is who Jesus is.
Which requires more strength for you? Reacting in anger to someone already angry with you? Fighting back with your words to someone who offends you? Mistreating someone the way that they mistreated you? Saying hurtful things because of the way that someone has hurt you? Or… setting yourself aside for the sake of someone else? Reacting with a “soft answer” that turns away wrath? Responding with kind words of love and care? Loving and forgiving them the way that Jesus did?
Gentleness does not equal weakness. In fact, gentleness requires much strength. By being gentle to those around us, we can have a tremendous impact for the sake of Christ, showing others what His character is like. God calls us to be different from the world, not to be loud, boisterous, and hot-headed disciples who speak their minds wherever they go. That behavior will only push people away from the gospel. Instead, God calls us to be peacemakers, to live a quiet life, and provide others with the gentle love that God shows to us. Gentleness is difficult, but those who are gentle will be blessed. By cultivating this attitude and mindset, we can show the world around us what it means to live, serve, and fight with the strength of the Lord through gentleness and love. When we choose gentleness, we reflect the character of the King we follow. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
—Joshua Brown