Gentleness

[charity]

'If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,
.. if any comfort of love,
.... if any fellowship of the Spirit,
......if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded,
.. having the same love,
.... being of one accord,
...... of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;
.. but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things,
.. but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you,
.. which was also in Christ Jesus:
.... Who, being in the form of God,
...... thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made Himself of no reputation,
.. and took upon Him the form of a servant,
.... and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man,
.. He humbled Himself,
.... and became obedient unto death,
...... even the death of the cross.'
(Philippians 2:1-8)

 

[charity]

'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you
that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'
(Ephesians 4:1-3)

 

[friend of]

2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Titus 3:2 ESV
To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people

 

[Episkopos]

I think it shows the difference between the sheep and the shepherd. A shepherd is not always gentle and can even be violent; but his motive is to protect the sheep. A shepherd does not kill wolves because he hates wolves. He does it because he loves his sheep.

I'm thinking more along the lines of rebuking, reproving, and instructing. Our fight is against the spirits that motivate destructive behaviour. We spare the wolves...who knows they could repent and humble themselves!

 

[Giuliano]

I'm thinking more along the lines of rebuking, reproving, and instructing. Our fight is against the spirits that motivate destructive behaviour. We spare the wolves...who knows they could repent and humble themselves!

I am all in favor of sparing the wolves if they stay away from the sheep or go away when the shepherd moves in their direction. Indeed a wolf could change its ways. With God all things are possible.

Isaiah 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.