Thank you. Some people think of gentleness as a feminine trait or even a sign of weakness.

But today on Truth for Life, we'll find out why it's actually a kind of strength that's essential for spiritual growth.

Alistair Begg is teaching from Galatians chapter 5.

We're focusing on verse 23.

Well, we are getting to the end of our studies in the fruit of the spirit.

We are here penultimately

this evening with this matter of gentleness. Writing on the Fruit of the Spirit in 1839, a Dutch

reform pastor by the name of Bethune observed, quotes, there may be no grace less prayed for or cultivated than

gentleness. 177 years later, and I think we would be forced to agree that his comment still stands.

I wonder how long it is, since any of us actually knelt down and said,

Lord Jesus Christ, produce in me the fruit of a gentle spirit. It may be some time,

whether we as a church have actually gone to God and said, Lord Jesus, will you make amongst us

such a spirit of gentleness that those who are most in need

of your care may encounter it here? One of the reasons that it is neglected is because it is

misunderstood. It is as misunderstood as it is undervalued.

When people think of gentleness, they often think that it means some kind of spinelessness or weakness.

And so, particularly men who have been interested in muscles and being macho, I do not find themselves immediately drawn to the idea

of a gentle and a quiet spirit. And indeed, many females in contemporary society apparently

are not very interested in it either.

The Greek word is Proutis, that is the word that is most used.

It is translated meekness, almost routinely in the authorized version, and variously here in the ESV and the NIV and the NIV and so on.

Meekness or gentleness is essentially strength under control.

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