Wednesday Wisdom | Being Gentle in a Politically Violent World

We live in a time when politics is more than vitriolic noise; it is violent. Words once wielded like weapons birth sociopaths ready to kill those that threaten their amoral compass. Social media posts ignite firestorms, if not outright fires. Outbursts of anger spill into our streets, our workplaces, and even our churches. In our current climate, gentleness feels almost out of place, and even seems like a weakness amidst a zero-sum war for our souls. But Scripture paints a very different picture.

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

You see, gentleness is not the absence of strength, at all. It is strength under control. Gentleness is the steady hand in a world that is trembling. It is the soft answer that turns away wrath. When we demonstrate gentleness we make the Christlike choice to listen before speaking and to seek healing rather than doing more harm. It’s what Jesus would do.

Why Gentleness Matters Now

Violence comes in many forms. It shows up physicality, verbally, or emotionally. Violence thrives on escalation. It depends on it to live. Escalation is its live-giving fuel.

I get it. It’s easy to let one harsh word invite another or to allow one act of aggression to lead to retaliation.

Gentleness interrupts the cycle. It acts as the circuit breaker flipping off what gives violence its power.

When we meet hostility with humility, anger with kindness, and division with patience, we plant seeds of peace in soil that desperately needs it.

Gentleness bears witness to a world where people expect Christians to shout or fight. To give tit for tat; an eye for an eye. By choosing a gentle way of being we reveal there is something different about us because the very essence of Christ dwells in us.

Gentleness serves as a countercultural testimony that the Kingdom of God operates by a far different logic, one that perhaps looks foolish to the world, however is firmly rooted in eternal wisdom.

How do you and I practice gentleness in a violent age?

• Slow our response. Instead of rushing to reply, pause. Take a breath. Pray before we speak or publish a post.
• Guard our inputs. The dog we feed is the one that grows. Constantly consuming violent or angry rhetoric only feeds our own frustration. Let’s fill our hearts with Scripture and life-giving words instead.
• See the person, not just the position. What if we saw everyone as if they were Jesus? Gentleness reminds us that behind every political stance is a human being created in the image of God.
• Speak truth wrapped in grace. Gentleness doesn’t mean silence. It doesn’t mean we aren’t bold. It means we have the courage to express truth with compassion.

The Gentle Strength of Jesus

Jesus lived in a politically violent world, too. Roman soldiers patrolled the streets. Zealots plotted uprisings. Religious leaders sought power. Yet Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, not a warhorse. He rebuked Peter for drawing his sword. He called the weary to Himself with the loving words, “I am gentle and lowly in heart.” Having all the power and authority given to Him by the Father, Jesus chose gentleness.

To follow Jesus today means we walk the same way. We serve others with a gentleness that disarms hostility, soothes pain, and points people to a peace that the world cannot give. Being gentle means we point people to Jesus rather than pushing them away.

My Prayer for Gentleness

O gentle and gracious Lord, in this world where anger is loud and violence is near, give us the wisdom to be gentle. Let our words build up, rather than tear down. Help us pause before we speak. Let our actions reflect Your strength and compassion. Please help us demonstrate Your peace in every conversation and every encounter we have. Help us choose gentleness. In the name of Jesus’ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Friend, do you struggle to be gentle in these violent times? I get it. I do, too. Please let me know in the comments how I can help you be more gentle.

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Until my next post…

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™

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