Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When I think about gentleness I think about grace. Grace isn’t something that comes naturally to me. I’ve had to work at it. That isn’t something that sounds like a fruit of the spirit, human effort. I have to say that all outward appearance result from an inward change. The inner man may see the need to exhibit grace, the need can develop desire and desire can spur one into action.

The issue here is about what is of God and what is of man. The spirit working in us causes us to change. A new creature has to develop a new nature. It is cooperative. Agreeing with God is just one step. Allowing God to do with work in us without trying to shortcut the process means we have to patient. Perhaps this is why longsuffering comes before gentleness.

In nature fruits are produced in different climates and seasons. Some take longer and require more watering than others. Sometimes the branch has to grow to support the weight of the fruit. The observation of spiritual fruit of gentleness might require the acknowledgement by the inner man that he truly has changed. To God be the glory, not self.

Outwardly to those around you gentleness is received and they do not concern themselves with how and why it exists. But to me, the inner man, to me it does matter. Praise be to God in all things.