The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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Adam Clarke described faithfulness as “punctuality in performing promises, conscientious
carefulness in preserving what is committed to our trust, in restoring it to its proper owner, in
transacting the business confided to us, neither betraying the secrets of our friend nor
disappointing the confidence of our employer.”
GENTLENESS—Strength that is expressed in tenderness, consideration and sensitivity.
Gentleness is meekness which is “strength under control.” Meekness is not weakness. It was
used in referring to the taming or domestication of animals. A gentle person is one who is mild
toward others in trying and difficult circumstances, tender when others are rough, and quiet and
kind when others are loud and coarse.
As the use of the term in Galations 6:1ff. indicates, meekness or gentleness is that quality
which Paul otherwise describes as not thinking of oneself more highly than one ought to think
(Rom 12:3). It is that humble spirit which, in climbing higher, refuses to trample on others.
The gentle person is one who does not fight (II Tim. 2:24-25). Instead he is one who gently
restores another in humility (Gal. 6:1-2). Our Lord described Himself as “gentle and lowly of
heart” (Mt. 11:29) and He pronounced His blessing upon those who are of like mind and spirit
(Mt.5:5).
SELF-CONTROL—Mastery of one’s own desires, impulses, and behavior.
Self-control is specifically opposed to the drunkenness and carousing of the “works of the
flesh” (Gal.5:19-21). However, its meaning extends to all the carnal lusts insofar as they threaten
to enslave a man and dominate his life (Rom. 6:12).
Paul rigorously disciplined himself so he would not be enslaved by anything but be able to
accomplish what God has called him to:
“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 [discipline] my body and make
it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified
for the prize” (I Cor. 9:24-27).