Gentleness Is an “Inside” Job

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

Gentleness Is an “Inside” Job By Rick Warren — Oct 21, 2015 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29 NIV) Gentleness is an important quality for you to practice. It diffuses conflict. It disarms critics. It’s persuasive. It’s attractive. It communicates love. Most importantly, gentleness makes you more like Jesus. Matthew 11:28-29 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (NIV). Wait. Does this mean that the stress you’re feeling in your life and the pressure you’re feeling in your life is because you are not gentle? Yes. Because the Bible says that the more gentle you become, the more Christ-like you become and the more at rest you will be. Do you want to be at peace? Do you want to be like Jesus? You can’t just walk out your door and force yourself to be gentle. You can’t manufacture gentleness, because inside you’re still going to be under stress. It’s got to be an “inside” job. It has to be the fruit of God’s Spirit inside you. Jesus is gentle and humble. When you let him share your burden, you will walk with him in a close relationship. You will learn how to be more gentle and humble, and he will give you rest and peace, not stress and pressure. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What does it mean to take Jesus’ yoke upon you? Have you or someone you know ever used the excuse that you’re “just not a gentle person”? What other learned traits do we sometimes treat like they are inherent? How have you seen a difference in your life, including becoming gentler, since you became a believer and received the Holy Spirit?   CURRENT RADIO SERIES All Things New: The Revelation   CURRENT TV SERIES All Things New: The Revelation   Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.’ --1 Corinthians 7:1 Are you a single? If so, the Bible has some words of affirmation for you. In our Scripture verse for today, Paul is responding to questions that many of the Corinthian Christians were asking. Regarding the question of whether it was better to be single or married, Paul responds by saying that it is good when a Christian can, by the call of God, live a celibate, pure Christian life. He is not saying that those who are married are less spiritual. So the message from the Scripture is clear. If you sense that it is God’s plan that you remain single, don’t think you’re missing out on fulfillment in life. And if you are married, you must be careful not to put down those who choose to remain single. There are many things that are worse than living a single life. And one of those is to be married to the wrong person! Remember, if you are single today, God affirms your lifestyle as good. Do not be discouraged. He has a purpose and a plan for your life that can be fulfilling and full of joy! There are many things that are worse than living a single life. And one of those is to be married to the wrong person!