Who comes to mind when you think of a gentle person? Your grandma? Your third grade Sunday School teacher? Your local librarian?

Gentleness is not just a natural result of a phlegmatic personality or meek temperament. It is a Fruit of the Spirit … and if we are growing in Christ, this fruit will be evident.

Gentleness is often a choice—a deliberate act of restraint, a letting go of what we want to say or do and even what we have the right to say or do. The old adage “meekness, not weakness” certainly applies when choosing to walk out gentleness.

Several of this month’s Write the Word verses (you can download the bookmark here) offer good thoughts to ponder on the topic of gentleness:

• God’s gentleness brings us the great gift of salvation.
  You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. Psalm 18:35
• Humility and gentleness work together.
  By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! II Corinthians 10:1
• We are told to pursue gentleness.
  But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. I Timothy 6:11
• The imminent return of Christ should prompt us to let gentleness lead out in our walk.
  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5

The small group I sat in on at the weekly Bible study I teach was discussing evangelism last week. One lady commented that we know we should share the gospel, but so often we don’t. It’s the best news ever, so why don’t we share it? Answers might be:

• It’s awkward.
• I don’t know what to say.
• I don’t want to offend.

We often feel like we’re trying to sell someone something they don’t want … instead of realizing we’re telling them about a free gift everyone needs!

Instead of trying to conjure up the courage and figure out the words, maybe we can start by just be being nice—kind and gentle in our words and actions. As God’s love begins to soften our words and prompt kind actions, Paul is right: it will be “evident to all.”

When our kindness is so over the top it is evident, when it contrasts sharply with the attitudes of the world, those in our sphere of influence will notice. And we can pray that when they do they will ask the powerful question: Why?

• Why are you like you are?
• Why are you gentle instead of harsh?
• Why are you kind instead of mean?
• Why are you patient instead of angry?

Let’s expect folks to ask. Let’s want them to ask. Let’s be ready when they ask. Peter challenges us: 

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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… I Peter 3:15

It’s so much easier to walk on through an open door than to try to knock one down!

Are you prepared when they ask? Just remember: it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to be gentle when our flesh would be harsh, who helps us forgo retaliation when we are justifiably offended. And it is the same Holy Spirit who will put His words on our tongue when someone asks us to “give the reason for the hope” we have.

The holidays bring great opportunities to walk out gentleness. In the stress and chaos that so often can bring on impatience and even rudeness, our gentleness can shine brightly in a dark world. Let’s pray they ask why … and let’s ask God to give us the answer when they do.

If you’ve got the Holy Spirit, then you’ve got gentleness!