Daily Devotional

The Power of Gentleness

by Justin Linscheid on January 31, 2023

Several years ago I was driving down the road one day and had someone pass me on a double yellow line and as they were doing this they were waving at me with one finger. It wasn’t a friendly looking waving. In fact they were pointing to an exit inviting me to go off and settle this matter in a fight. I have no idea what I did to offend this guy. I don’t know if I accidentally cut him off, or if he was just having a bad day, or if he was mistaking me for someone else. All I know that was that he was very angry and looking for a fight. Thankfully, God gave me the sense to just ignore him and he drove on. The prideful and more sinful part of me thought someone needs to teach this man a lesson. It was an opportunity to retaliate.

Proverbs 15:1 tells us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” This bit of wisdom is applicable in so many situations we will encounter in this world. It just isn’t worth it to allow someone else’s anger to make you lose your sanctification. When we repay evil with evil that makes us on the side with evil. The Bible teaches that there is power in gentleness. There is great strength in God’s tender compassion and mercy. It takes a sense of security and solid identity in Christ to respond to the hateful things of this world without pride, but the Holy Spirit is strong enough to help us be gentle.

Remember that when we were prideful toward God, He showed us compassion and mercy. Follow His example and trust that a gentle response has the power to overcome strongholds of evil. When others cross a line, may our lives show them the cross.

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