Gentle Behavior

Each of us is different. We have different skills and attributes. Different habits and hobbies. When compared with others, some simply know more about some subjects while knowing less about others. The question is, what do we do with this knowledge? What is our attitude? And how does this impact us?

One frequent tendency is for those considered smart to become arrogant, to feel superior, and to look down on those who seem to know less.

The Bible warns us against attitudes like these. We constantly are reminded that these attitudes lead to pride. In contrast, real maturity and understanding are based on humility and realizing our dependence on God.

In fact, the Bible teaches that we should have an attitude of “gentleness.” This kind of mildness and meekness can be difficult, particularly for those considered knowledgeable.

But believers are encouraged to remember that they owe everything to God, and we all know just part of the whole picture (1 Corinthians 13:12). We all make mistakes and have considerable limits, no matter how much we know.

It is not enough to talk about such things. Instead, we should seek to demonstrate how our lives have been transformed by good behavior, the things we say and do. We need to cultivate a spirit of humility and act with “the gentleness of wisdom,” a wisdom that comes from God and is based on being filled with His Spirit and guided by His Word.