As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Read the series.
Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1P 3.15).
Here the KJV uses the word meekness. Outside of Christian circles, influenced by the biblical language, our culture doesn’t use the word much. When we hear it, some are inclined to think of Casper Milquetoast, or a hen-pecked husband, or the guy the bullies kick sand on at the beach.
“Jude had a preference: ‘Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints’ (Jude 3). He wanted to agree, celebrating God’s grace in their ‘common salvation.’ But he needed to confront” - 9 Marks
“I conclude that men should be both strong and gentle—tough and tender, authoritative and compassionate, brick and velvet.” - Andy Naselli
“In a striking, but too often neglected, passage in Religious Affections, Edwards insists an essential trait of any true Christian is ‘the lamblike, dovelike spirit and temper of Jesus Christ.’ He presents this point as nothing less than a fundamental of the faith.” - TGC
“It saddens me that any of us need to be convinced to be gentle. It saddens me that I’m often not gentle to those I love most. Gentleness is both a command from the Lord and a sign that we are becoming more like Christ.” - C.Post
“While individuals reacting poorly are responsible for their poor choices, those who provoked such responses are also responsible.” - P&D
“…it is imperative that we have gentleness as we confront. Too many times, especially in our circle, we can be rough with the truth. We can come too strong and our tact in the counseling room can be terrible.” - CLeaders
“We ought to think seriously, then, about the pain we inflict. Some pain is necessary, no doubt; but much of the pain we inflict with our words and actions, even when confrontation is called for, is unnecessary. Some of the pain we inflict comes from our own impatience, or frustration, or self-focus.” - Olinger
“How are such people thinking? They’re thinking outwardly; they’re focused not on what they want or need, but on what’s in the best interest of the people around them.” - Olinger
“We love, not in a sentimental sense, but in the gutsy, costly sense, because He first loved us. We do not have the resources in ourselves to extend such selfless love. We are resourced by another, by Jesus Himself.” - Sauls
Discussion