I can pinpoint the sin of others really well — especially those closest to me. If they asked, I could give them a detailed, alphabetical list of exactly what’s “wrong with them.” Meanwhile I have this huge plank hanging from my own eye. It’s causing me to hemorrhage but I don’t notice.
That’s why I have to actively remember something.
Paul tells us to restore others in a spirit of gentleness, keeping watch of ourselves lest we be tempted. (Gal. 6:1) If I forget that I am in process, just like everyone else on this planet, then I start pointing fingers. If I forget that I’m desperate for the grace of my God, then pride tempts me.
Love sometimes gets a little messy. God sometimes calls us to confront the sin in another. But we’re to do it in a spirit of gentleness. To maintain a gentle spirit, especially when my emotions flare, I have to remember who I am in light of God. I have to remember that I too am in process.
How do you keep a spirit of gentleness when confronting the sin of another?
What spoke to you this week in the Abiding Fruit study?
once again last week “genteleness” was an appropriate fruit to be studying as I was anything but gentle in restoring my kids. “What were you thinking?” is not a phrase God intended when confronting them with sin. Love your phrase “I am still in process”. Yes. Totally and utterly imperfect. Thank you for the reminder to restore others gently as He restores us…including restoring our children!!
Yes, definitely including our children. His Word humbles me.
Great reminder, Lara.
It is actually freeing for me, to remember that everyone is in process. We’re all messed up and in need of a Savior. It reminds me that He is so patient and gentle with all of us, even those who drive me up the wall.
“We’re all messed up…” Ha. True, true. Indebted to grace.
How quickly we forget the debt of our own that Christ paid for us when we are dealing with our children, or our husbands, or our coworkers . . .
Beautiful reminder.
{And I am totally going to use ‘fluffy’ as a word to describe love from now on. :) }
Ha. Awesome. And yes, we so quickly forget. Blessings, sister-friend.
Very, very interesting timing on God’s part…One of our oldest and most respected leaders at our church got up yesterday to confess that he still struggles–after all these years–with the sin of not being meek (or gentle). He said he tries to fight against being too harsh, and he knows it has hurt people in the past. He was asking for prayers of the church for the Spirit to change him. It was very moving, humbling, and so fitting for me in light of having studied it this week.
Correcting people who need it–gently or otherwise–is something I fight against. I’d rather say nothing and just hope the problem goes away. But that’s not what I heard every day last week as I’d read Galatians 6.
If helping carry each other’s burdens means correcting each other–gently–as needed, then I need to be obedient to that too. And be willing to be corrected myself.
God’s timing is so perfect. What a humbling thing your church leader did. I’m sure it will cause many in your church to consider their own walk with the Lord and how open they are to confessing and seeking accountability. Beautiful.
Wow, that was the exact teaching at church that weekend. I only now, had a chance to catch up on your posts, and when I saw this, it was such an encouragement. God is faithful, He is working in His people and by His grace we Hear and obey. Thank you for your persistence and continued sharing with this group. I started the Romans * memorizing and I lost track on where i was at with the Abiding Fruit study. i am excited to dig back in and draw out the deep of his well of truth, mercy grace, riches that can never be exhausted.
I am just starting to be renewed in this area especially with my little son who is throwing huge temper tantrums. I had a victory last night and chose gentleness over anger and frustration. Wow! God was good! I continue to pray for gentle responses.