31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
Login

Day 16: The Wisdom We Need Is Gentle - 31 Days: Marriage Devotionals

Login

Getting Started

Getting Started

Day 1: The Destructive Power of Harmful Words

Day 1: The Destructive Power of Harmful Words

Day 2: The Constructive Power of Helpful Words

Day 2: The Constructive Power of Helpful Words

Day 3: Ceasing Our Harmful Thoughts: Time for Some Brain Surgery

Day 3: Ceasing Our Harmful Thoughts: Time for Some Brain Surgery

Day 4: Building a New Habit: The Power of Positive Thinking

Day 4: Building a New Habit: The Power of Positive Thinking

Day 5: The Unifying Power of Common Experiences

Day 5: The Unifying Power of Common Experiences

Day 6: Key to Preserving Your Marriage: Being Intentional About Your Focus

Day 6: Key to Preserving Your Marriage: Being Intentional About Your Focus

Day 7: Two Pathways to Riches: Have More or Want Less

Day 7: Two Pathways to Riches: Have More or Want Less

Day 8: Working Together in Harmony Produces Beautiful Music

Day 8: Working Together in Harmony Produces Beautiful Music

Day 9: This Honorable Estate

Day 9: This Honorable Estate

Day 10: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 1

Day 10: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 1

Day 11: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 2

Day 11: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 2

Day 12: Faithfulness: The Foundation of Trust in a Relationship

Day 12: Faithfulness: The Foundation of Trust in a Relationship

Day 13: Be Angry – Yet Do Not Sin

Day 13: Be Angry – Yet Do Not Sin

Day 14: Solve It Before the Sun Sets --- or at Least Before Bedtime

Day 14: Solve It Before the Sun Sets --- or at Least Before Bedtime

Day 15: The Wisdom We Need Is Peaceable

Day 15: The Wisdom We Need Is Peaceable

Day 16: The Wisdom We Need Is Gentle

Day 16: The Wisdom We Need Is Gentle

Day 17: The Wisdom We Need Is Willing to Yield

Day 17: The Wisdom We Need Is Willing to Yield

Day 18: The Wisdom We Need Is Full of Mercy

Day 18: The Wisdom We Need Is Full of Mercy

Day 19: The Wisdom We Need Is Without Hypocrisy

Day 19: The Wisdom We Need Is Without Hypocrisy

Day 20: What? Me Worry? Husbands Edition

Day 20: What? Me Worry? Husbands Edition

Day 21: What? Me Worry? Wives Edition

Day 21: What? Me Worry? Wives Edition

Day 22: Marriage Builder Tip: Be Patient with Each Other

Day 22: Marriage Builder Tip: Be Patient with Each Other

Day 23: Marriage Builder Tip: The Beauty of a Clean Slate

Day 23: Marriage Builder Tip: The Beauty of a Clean Slate

Day 24: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Perseverance

Day 24: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Perseverance

Day 25: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Prayerful Hope

Day 25: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Prayerful Hope

Day 26: The Destructive Power of a Restless Spirit

Day 26: The Destructive Power of a Restless Spirit

Day 27: The Contagious Power of Relentless Contentment

Day 27: The Contagious Power of Relentless Contentment

Day 28: A Quiet Life: Learning to Guard Your Privacy – and Your Partner’s Privacy

Day 28: A Quiet Life: Learning to Guard Your Privacy – and Your Partner’s Privacy

Day 29: Minding Your Own Business --- What One Young Wife Decides

Day 29: Minding Your Own Business --- What One Young Wife Decides

Day 30: Earn Your Own Living – What Does This Mean to You?

Day 30: Earn Your Own Living – What Does This Mean to You?

Day 31: Winning the Respect of Others --- Your Marriage Matters

Day 31: Winning the Respect of Others --- Your Marriage Matters

Discipleship Place
John ComstockJul 21, 2021 10:08 pm GMT

Scripture Focus: But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

 

One of our favorite ministries, Celebrate Recovery, was launched with help from Saddleback Church near our home in Southern California. CR, as it is known for short, is a ministry that reaches out to broken and hurting people, often those who are suffering with addictions, and offers them help and hope.

 

As we travel around the country we speak, teach, counsel, share with small groups, and participate in worship --- in these and other ways we celebrate with those who are in recovery. We especially value our times with the positive, encouraging, highly energized CR chapter in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Anytime we can be with this particular CR group, it feels like we are “coming home” and “getting together with family.”

 

CR meetings often include a key Scripture found in Galatians 6:1. If you find a brother who is in error and needs correction, Paul advises, you should work with him and restore him “gently.” In the Broken Arrow chapter meetings, the word “gently” gets special attention as this verse is read aloud in unison. When the group reaches the word “gently” --- everyone shouts it at high volume. YES!

 

It matters that we’re gentle with those in error, with those in need, and especially with our own life partners. It never ceases to amaze us, as we work with married couples, that a grown man can be extremely gentle with his Golden Retriever, or gentle and kind to a neighbor child, yet with his own wife this man yells, scolds, and criticizes.

 

How can this be? Why are we gentle with children and animals, yet harsh and strident with the ones we should love the most? We need the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We need wisdom from above. And we particularly need wisdom that is gentle.

 

For your personal reflection:

  • When I am speaking with my husband or wife, would anyone watching and listening describe my style as “gentle”?
  • Do I realize that it’s not just what I say, but how I say it, that can deeply affect someone else?

Prayer: Lord, I am coming to You today to ask for wisdom. Specifically, I ask You to give me wisdom that is gentle. When I am speaking with my marriage partner, please help me to be kind and gentle. Even when we disagree – especially when we disagree – my I respect my spouse by treating him or her with gentleness.



likeShare
  • Follow & Post
  • Post as Guest
  • Login
  • 9,514