Fruit-bearing
trees are used in the Scriptures to represent the race of
mankind. The Saviour likens the wicked to "corrupt
trees," which bear evil fruit, and the righteous to
"good trees," which bear good fruit (Matt. 7:15,
20). He also teaches very emphatically the impossibility
of one's being a good tree and yet bearing evil fruit, or
of being a corrupt tree and bearing good fruit. Since the
nature of the fruit we bear determines what manner of tree
we are it is very advisable that we as professing
Christians should frequently examine the fruit we are
bearing. To be Christ's or to be a Christian, we must have
the Spirit of Christ, for the Scriptures say that 'if any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his"
(Rom. 8:9). As certainly as cause produces effect, those
who have the Spirit of Christ bear the fruit of the
Spirit. Not to bear the fruit of the Spirit is full proof
that you have not the Spirit. Then a close examination of
the fruit you are bearing will reveal to you whether or
not you have the Spirit of Christ, whether or not you are
his, whether or not you are a Christian. You can make a
superficial examination, and allow yourself to be
deceived. You can make excuses for yourself because of
your weaknesses, and thus deceive yourself. But a close,
thorough, profound examination will disclose to each one
the manner of spirit he is of.
Gentleness is one of the fruits of
the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). If we have the Spirit of Christ,
we bear this fruit. "Well," says one, "in
my very make-up I am rough, harsh, and hasty." You
need to be made anew. When God finds a man that is rough,
harsh, and severe in his make-up, He will, if the man will
yield to the operation of the Holy Spirit, make him mild,
gentle, and peaceful. People go to a hospital and by
scientific operation have abscesses and tumors removed
from the stomach and other internal parts. God, by a
blessed, wonderful, and successful operation of the Holy
Spirit, will take that roughness, harshness, and severity
out of your nature, and instill mildness, tenderness,
softness, and gentleness instead. Harshness and roughness
are a corruption that God, in his gracious plan of
salvation, is pleased to remove. If you will allow the
Holy Spirit to work in you that which is pleasing in God's
sight, he will make you gentle.
What is gentleness? It is
blandness, softness, mildness, and meekness. It is the
opposite of harshness, roughness, etc. It is sweetness of
disposition, mildness of temper, softness of manner,
kindness, tenderness, etc. Those who are of a gentle
disposition act and speak without asperity. They are not
morose, sour, crabbed, and uneven, but are smooth, mild,
and even. Good manners are intimately connected with
gentleness, and good manners are no dishonor to
Christianity.
The apostle Paul by way of
testimony said to the Thessalonian saints, "We were
gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her
children." 1 Thess. 2:7. Such was his manner. As a
kind mother is to a delicate child, so was he to those
whom he loved. Vastly different was he then from what he
was when he was persecuting and wasting the church of God.
He had been changed by grace. He exhorts servants of the
Lord to "be gentle unto all men" (2 Tim. 2:24)
and to be "gentle, showing all meekness unto all
men" (Titus 3 :2). David, in his sublime tribute of
praise to God in 2 Sam. 22:36 says, "Thy gentleness
hath made me great."
Would you, my reader, like to be
more gentle in your manner ? Are you too harsh and rough ?
Are you, if a parent, as gentle to your children as you
should be, at all times? Husband, are you as kind and
gentle toward your wife as you should be? Do you believe
you fill the Bible measure in this particular ? Are you as
gentle to your domestic animals as you should be? or do
you have impatient feelings and act in a hasty, abrupt
manner towards them? If you meet with something quite
provoking from your wife or the children or the animals,
do you keep as mild and sweet as you know you should? Now,
I hope you will examine closely. I do not mean to condemn
you; I want to help you. There are many professing saints
today who are not nearly so gentle as they should be. Why
not be in earnest, and seek God for help, and make
improvement ? Why go along with crossness, and coldness
and snappishness in your life? Be gentle toward all.
Gentleness is a beauteous grace.
Her excellence is great. By culture this grace is capable
of much improvement. Too few saints experience it to the
extent they should. I beseech you by the gentleness of
Jesus to be in earnest and improve upon your gentleness.
Never allow a frown or a scowl to settle for a moment upon
your brow. It will leave its mark if you do so. Learn to
be gentle in your home. Sometimes when far away from home,
you picture to yourself how gentle and kind and loving you
should be at home. By God's grace you can be just as
gentle as you see in the picture you should.
