Gentleness, according to the Full Life Study Bible, is "not wanting to hurt someone or give him or her pain." Wow, this is tough! When people get on our nerves, how many times do we wish we can just give them a two-punch combo, or maybe just a piece of our minds- maybe say a few "choice words"? Yeah, almost all the time for some or maybe once in a while for others. However, this should not be so. We must show gentleness to all people, no matter how much they aggravate us. It isn't easy and we will slip up some times, however, the fruit of the Spirit is activated by the Spirit, and he will help us get to the place where we need to be in terms of gentleness. 

     2. What is the difference between gentleness and weakness?

   Being gentle does not mean we are weak. God is gentle, but he is certainly not weak. The difference between gentleness and weakness is that with weakness you have no strength and/or are afraid to satisfy your anger through hurting someone. With gentleness, you don't want to hurt someone and cause them pain, though you are very capable of doing so. A lot of people think I am weak. My stature is very intimidating- speaking since I am African-American, tall, and more built than most people my age. However, when people began to see how I operate and how I handle people and situations, they consider me weak. However, it is not that I am weak, but it is that I am very gentle. And that is the difference. Gentleness can be mistaken for weakness, but gentleness is not weakness. 

   3/4. Why do I have to be gentle?/What does the bible say about gentleness?

   We, as representatives and ambassadors of God (2 Corinthians 5:20), must represent him in the way that shows the world how he operates. We cannot say we are a Christian, and then explode on people when they accidentally bump into us.  We must show mercy in all cases where mercy is required. Now, when someone needs to be punished, they can be punished. However, God will direct you on when to punish and how to punish. God is God of Mercy, as well as a God of Justice, don't get it twisted. 

   Moreover, gentleness is one of the fruit of the Spirit, is it not? Therefore, we should be displaying the fruit of the Spirit, including the unpopular fruit of gentleness. 

   We have to be gentle, furthermore, because the Word of God tells us to be gentle. In Ephesians 4:32, it states, "And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." We have to be gentleness because God is gentle toward us for Christ's sake. If God can be gentle to us, even though we sin and mess up so many times, can't we be gentle for Christ's sake? In addition, Colossians 3:12 says "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, [and] longsuffering; We should show gentleness because we are the elect of God, the children of the Most High. We show gentleness because we were shown gentleness. We should show gentleness because, without gentleness, we would not be here today, nevertheless even be saved. 

  5. Can you give me an example of someone who showed gentleness in the Bible?

A perfect example: Jesus. Jesus showed gentleness show many times. Jesus was the most tender-hearted person I know. All of his miracles were done through the power of the Spirit, out of the fruit of love, because of the fruit of gentleness. If Jesus could do, we can do it. After all, we are trying and going to be like him, right? Jesus and where he is should be the main reason why we want to show gentleness. 

If we are going to walk this walk of Christ, we need to walk it right. Gentleness needs to be exhibited in the life of every child of God. And, by his Spirit, we are enabled to live our lives showing gentleness to all people.