The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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11<br />
Adam Clarke described faithfulness as “punctuality in performing promises, conscientious<br />
carefulness in preserving what is committed to our trust, in restoring it to its proper owner, in<br />
transacting <strong>the</strong> business confided to us, nei<strong>the</strong>r betraying <strong>the</strong> secrets <strong>of</strong> our friend nor<br />
disappointing <strong>the</strong> confidence <strong>of</strong> our employer.”<br />
GENTLENESS—Strength that is expressed in tenderness, consideration and sensitivity.<br />
Gentleness is meekness which is “strength under control.” Meekness is not weakness. It was<br />
used in referring to <strong>the</strong> taming or domestication <strong>of</strong> animals. A gentle person is one who is mild<br />
toward o<strong>the</strong>rs in trying and difficult circumstances, tender when o<strong>the</strong>rs are rough, and quiet and<br />
kind when o<strong>the</strong>rs are loud and coarse.<br />
As <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> term in Galations 6:1ff. indicates, meekness or gentleness is that quality<br />
which Paul o<strong>the</strong>rwise describes as not thinking <strong>of</strong> oneself more highly than one ought to think<br />
(Rom 12:3). It is that humble spirit which, in climbing higher, refuses to trample on o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> gentle person is one who does not fight (II Tim. 2:24-25). Instead he is one who gently<br />
restores ano<strong>the</strong>r in humility (Gal. 6:1-2). Our Lord described Himself as “gentle and lowly <strong>of</strong><br />
heart” (Mt. 11:29) and He pronounced His blessing upon those who are <strong>of</strong> like mind and spirit<br />
(Mt.5:5).<br />
SELF-CONTROL—Mastery <strong>of</strong> one’s own desires, impulses, and behavior.<br />
Self-control is specifically opposed to <strong>the</strong> drunkenness and carousing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “works <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
flesh” (Gal.5:19-21). However, its meaning extends to all <strong>the</strong> carnal lusts ins<strong>of</strong>ar as <strong>the</strong>y threaten<br />
to enslave a man and dominate his life (Rom. 6:12).<br />
Paul rigorously disciplined himself so he would not be enslaved by anything but be able to<br />
accomplish what God has called him to:<br />
“Do you not know that in a race all <strong>the</strong> runners run, but only one gets <strong>the</strong> prize?<br />
Run in such a way as to get <strong>the</strong> prize. Everyone who competes in <strong>the</strong> games goes<br />
into strict training. <strong>The</strong>y do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get<br />
a crown that will last forever. <strong>The</strong>refore I do not run like a man running aimlessly;<br />
I do not fight like a man beating <strong>the</strong> air. No, I beat [discipline] my body and make<br />
it my slave so that after I have preached to o<strong>the</strong>rs, I myself will not be disqualified<br />
for <strong>the</strong> prize” (I Cor. 9:24-27).