Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It is a month-long celebration! Not many acknowledge the Christian reason behind the celebrations, that the Lord came into a human body to show off God’s love for those who inhabit the earth. But those who do acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior actually enjoy the season with tremendous fervor.
Easter for some reason hasn’t gotten the same recognition, or the same festive feel. People acknowledge the Day, but not even as a whole week much less a month of celebrating. Perhaps it is because Christmas has been renamed by so many — Kwanza, Hanukah, Winter Solstice… Everybody can find something to celebrate at that time of year.
But Easter is different. It varies with the timing of things, sometimes in April, sometimes in March, sometimes before Passover, sometimes after, maybe coinciding with the start of spring… Yet everybody that says “Easter” knows what it stands for. The word Christmas can mean a thousand different things to many different peoples, even to eachindividual person.
Easter only has one meaning: The resurrection of God’s Son, the King of the Redeemed, the Only True Witness of God’s love to the universe. Oh sure, the devil has attempted to cover over this event with Easter egg hunts and cute little bunnies. But as a friend told me, it’s not about the bunny but about the lamb. So in my heart I celebrate the Lamb with a smile every time someone displays a bunny.
My favorite verse in all of Luke’s Gospel: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Jesus is alive and well and living as Intercessor for our benefit. Because of this current role of His, He stays busy all the time. He may live in heaven now, but He stays busy with the things down here on earth. He’s constantly working to support His people and to gain more celebrants for His Father’s banquet table.
He will rest soon — when He gets His kingdom. Then we can all rest and enjoy His presence and His smile, and each other too. As Amy Grant sang in her song: In a little while we’ll be with the Father. In a little while we’ll be home forever. In a little while…
God’s kind of gentleness is a meekness + mildness + humility; to be submissive.Meekness does not refer to weakness or passivity, but to controlled power. Humility is a personal quality in which an individual shows dependence on God and respect for other persons.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death… (Philippians 2:8)
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you (2 Corinthians 10:1).
In Your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness (Psalm 145:4).
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4).
I tell you this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 18:14).
When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come to say to you, ‘give this man your seat.’ And, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. (Luke 14:8-9)
Therefore get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you (James 1:21).
If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
I proclaimed a fast so we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him or a safe journey… (Ezra 8:21)
Seek the Lord all you humble of the land you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger (Zephaniah 2:3).
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:5-6)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10).
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient; to be ready to do whatever is good; to slander no one; to be peaceable and considerate; and to show true humility toward all men (Titus 3:1-2).
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let Him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13).
But the Wisdom that is from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).
Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous a future! (Job 8:7)
Gentleness is defined as the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered; it is softness of action or effect (as in “the gentleness of his touch”). What is the Bible definition of gentleness? The sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. In the Old Testament, gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isaiah 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth (Songs 7:9 ).
Gentleness is the quality of being kind and careful. The noun gentleness is perfect for describing the way someone acts when they are soft and calm and sweet to other people.
… See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation; gentle and riding on a donkey… (Matthew 21:5)
Take My yolk upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29).
He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11).
We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, godliness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).
But you, O man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11).
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:5).
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
The meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace (Psalm 37:11).
The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise Him (Psalm 22:26).
But with righteousness He shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11:4).
He has shown you, O man, what is good! And what has the Lord required of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8).
Your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, … is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:4).
Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently… (Galatians 6:1)
A gentle answer turns away wrath… (Proverbs 15:1)
But the Wisdom that is from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone (Proverbs 25:15). [Gentleness can do the impossible!]
Temperament has a great deal to do with our religious views and with the emphases we lay on spiritual matters generally… The Scriptures, critical self-discipline, honesty of heart, and increased trust in the inward operations of the Holy Spirit will save us from being too greatly influenced by temperament. (A. W. Tozer)
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered (Proverbs 17:27).
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly (Proverbs 14:29).
A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hot-tempered and reckless (Proverbs V 14:16).
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).
A quick-tempered man does foolish things and a crafty man is hated (Proverbs 17:17).
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension… (Proverbs 15:18)
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins (Proverbs 29:22).
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty… (Proverbs 19:19)
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man; do not associate with one easily angered, for you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared (Proverbs 22:24-25).
Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife (Proverbs 21:19).
Better a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man. But no man can tame the tongue! It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:7-8)
Be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. (Titus 1:7-8)
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding (Proverbs 15:32).
At the end of your life you will groan; when your flesh and body are spent you will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!” (Proverbs 5:11-12)
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves… (Proverbs 3:11-12)
From heaven He made you hear His voice to discipline you (Deuteronomy 4:36).
Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty (Job 5:17).
Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord… (Psalm 94:12)
Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord our God disciplines you (Deuteronomy 8:5).
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him (Proverbs 13:24).
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope. Do not be a willing party to his death (Proverbs 19:18).
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15).
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. (Proverbs 23:13-14)
Discipline your son and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul (Proverbs 29:17).
God’s definition of self-control is to be strong in a thing, masterful and temperate; it involves temperance and discipline.
Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding (Proverbs 23:23).
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored (Proverbs 13:18).
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid (Proverbs 12:1).
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray (Proverbs 10:17).
For these commands are a lamp, this teaching a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way of life (Proverbs 6:23).
A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence (Proverbs 15:5).
Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die (Proverbs 15:10).
When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so we will not be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32).
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. Because the Lord disciplines those He loves and punishes everyone He accepts as sons.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and every one undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children. And not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respect them for it. How much more should we submit to the Heavenly Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:5-11).
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline… (Revelation 3:19)
Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you (Psalm 32:9).
Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so became a laughing-stock to their enemies (Exodus 32:25).
They turned their backs to Me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again they would not listen or respond to discipline (Jeremiah 30:33).
Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline (Jeremiah 17:23).
God made us to have control, but the devil perverts this in us so we think we are to control others and all things. God wants us to only worry about controlling ourselves. Our spirit should control our body. Satan has no material body and wants to use ours for his wickedness. Therefore we must give our spirit total control. Satan is an extremist – God is not. Satan offers pleasures but they always come with a price. User your spirit to renew your mind, then use your mind to control your body.
We develop discipline by being faithful in small things and gradually moving on to bigger things. Be patient; discipline takes time.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? (Romans 6:20-21)
For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. (Romans 7:5)
The mind of sinful man is death. But the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace… Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you… (Romans 8:6, 8-9)
… Let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled… Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love… (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8)
The proverbs of Solomon… [are good] for attaining wisdom and discipline, for understanding words of insight, for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair. (Proverbs 1:1-3)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)
He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Proverbs 5:23)
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction… (Proverbs 13:1)
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. (Proverbs 25:28)
Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit but godliness is profitable for all things… (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last. But we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
That each of you should control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable. (1 Thessalonians 4:4)
… Then come together again so Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:5)
But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will and who has made up his mind… this man also does the right thing. (1 Corinthians 7:37)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so you can pray. (1 Peter 4:7)
For this reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12)
Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:13)
It is very difficult to read this list of fruits in GALATIANS 5:22-23 and not see all the ways we fall short. But before you start beating yourself up, try to look at this list from the point of view of the One who gave up His life out of love for you. To do this, imagine your heart is an orchard full of many kinds of fruit trees, and picture yourself walking through this orchard, with Jesus. As you walk together, you notice Jesus looks happier and happier – and that makes you nervous. How can He not see the scraggly bushes that stick out like sour thumbs – moments when pride or moodiness overtook you? What about that time when you said the wrong thing and ended up hurting your neighbor’s feelings? Surely He can see that event, ugly as a tall weed!
But then He stops and tells you how much He is enjoying the walk. He starts pointing out all the fruit He is seeing on the trees – fruit you never really noticed. He sees the way you held your tongue when you wanted to lash out at a co-worker. He sees the way you went out of your way to help a friend and the way you serve your family. As you see this orchard through His eyes, you are amazed at how much fruit there really is. Yes, He sees the occasional weed or bad specimen of fruit, but He doesn’t look too worried. “This doesn’t bother Me too much,” He tells you. “I love you, and I’ve been helping you to grow all this fruit for so many years. I haven’t stopped working in your orchard and I see all the different ways you are welcoming Me. With the power of My Cross, with the grace of My indwelling Spirit; it’s only a matter of time before the good fruit overtakes the weeds. Now just imagine how much more fruit you would bear if you spent just a little more time with Me every day!”
In days and generations to come Jacob shall take root; Israel shall blossom and send forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit [of the knowledge of the true God]. (Isaiah 27:6)
Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. (Isaiah 37:31)
And the remnant that has survived of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. (2 Kings 19:30)
For the palace shall be forsaken… until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is valued as a forest. (Isaiah 2:14-15)
May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful… (Genesis 28:3)
… Your fruitfulness comes from Me. (Hosea 14:8)
Peace, peace to him who is far off [both Jew and Gentile] and to him who is near, says the Lord; I create the fruit of his lips, and I will heal him [make his lips blossom anew with speech in thankful praise]. (Isaiah 57:19)
The earth is satisfied and abounds with the fruit of His works (Psalm 104:13).
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, and My increase than choice silver (Proverbs 8:19).
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor… (Psalm 128:1-2)
Already the reaper is getting his wages [he who does the cutting now has his reward], for he is gathering fruit unto life eternal, so that he who does the planting and he who does the reaping may rejoice together. (John 4:36)
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good; or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad. For a tree is recognized by its fruit (Matthew 12:33).
For there is no good (healthy) tree that bears decayed (worthless, stale) fruit, nor on the other hand does a decaying (worthless, sickly) tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit… (Luke 6:43-44)
You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit (worthy of admiration). Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16-20)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life] (Proverbs 18:21).
A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil] (Proverbs 18:20).
From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hands shall come back to him [as a harvest] (Proverbs 12:14).
Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who patiently and faithfully guards and heeds his Master shall be honored (Proverbs 27:18).
[It is] the hard-working farmer [who labors to produce] who must be the first partaker of the fruits [one of the first to receive a share of the crops] (2 Timothy 2:6).
But you have planted wickedness. You have reaped evil. You have eaten the fruit of deception because you have depended on your own strength… (Hosea 10:13)
Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord… they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes (Proverbs 1:29, 31).
You have planted them and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips, but far from their hearts (Jeremiah 12:2).
Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing evil upon this people, the fruit of their thoughts (their schemes and devices) because they have not listened and obeyed My words, and as for My law, they have rejected it (Jeremiah 6:19).
The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit (Matthew 21:43).
I, the Lord, search the mind; I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:10).
And I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, says the Lord… (Jeremiah 21:14)
Great [are You] in counsel and mighty in deeds, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to reward or repay each one according to the fruits of his doings (Jeremiah 32:19).
Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart]… Already the ax is lying at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:8, 10).
Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance… Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees, so that every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire (Luke 3:8-9).
A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard. And he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” “Sir,” the man replied, “Leave it for one more year and I will dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine. If not, then cut it down.” (Luke 13:6-9)
The wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous yields [richer fruitage] (Proverbs 12:12).
Discipline… yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness – in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God] (Hebrews 12:11).
You cannot operate in the Gifts of the Spirit before you first operate in the Fruits of the Spirit. Fruits are for the good of all the Church. Everything God created was created to give forth fruit.
Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with seed in them, on the earth”; and it was so. And the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind and trees bearing fruit, with seed in them, after their kind, and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:11-12)
And God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…” (Genesis 1:22, 28)
Likewise, my brothers, you have undergone death as to the law through the [crucified] body of Christ, so that now you may belong to Another – to Him who was raised from the dead – in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4)
Unless a kernel of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain, it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many other seeds and yields a rich harvest (John 12:24).
And those sown on the good (well-adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit – some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some [even] a hundred times as much (Mark 4:20).
As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty (Matthew 13:23).
But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).
And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (Psalm 1:3)
The (uncompromisingly) righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [trust, love, and contentment]. (Psalm 92:12-14)
Say to the righteous it shall be well with them, for they shall enjoy the fruit of their deeds (Isaiah 3:10).
God's Word on That 